End effector coupling arrangements for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument

US8875972B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• William B. Weisenburgh, II · Maineville, US
• Jerome R. Morgan · Cincinnati, US
• Kyle P. Moore · Alpharetta, US
• Mark H. Ransick · Sharonville, US
• Steven G. Hall · Cincinnati, US
• Randall J. Tanguay · Lebanon, US
• Jeffrey D. Messerly · Cincinnati, US
• Galen C. Robertson · Apex, US
• Andrew M. Zwolinski · Cincinnati, US
• Jeffrey S. Swayze · Hamilton, US
• Thomas W. Huitema · Cincinnati, US
• Glen A. Armstrong · Hamilton, US
• Shailendra K. Parihar · Mason, US
• Donna L. Korvick · Maineville, US
• Richard W. Timm · Cincinnati, US
• Kevin R. Doll · Mason, US
• Bret W. Smith · South Lebanon, US
• William D. Kelly · Mason, US
• Ronald J. Kolata · Raleigh, US
• Joshua R. Uth · Mason, US
• Charles J. Scheib · Loveland, US
• Geoffrey C. Hueil · Cincinnati, US
• Mark S. Ortiz · Milford, US
• Douglas B. Hoffman · Cadiz, US
• Patrick A. Weizman · Monroe, US
• Dean B. Bruewer · Lancaster, US
• Gregory B. Blair · Cincinnati, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 4, 2014
• Expiry date: Feb 26, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2931
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, wherein the shaft defines an axis, and a disposable loading unit which is assembled to the shaft in a direction which is transverse to the shaft axis. Such a connection between the disposable loading unit and the shaft can prevent, or at least inhibit, the disposable loading unit from being unintentionally displaced proximally and/or distally relative to the shaft of the surgical instrument. The surgical stapling instrument and/or disposable loading unit can further include a threaded collar and/or detent assembly configured to hold the disposable loading unit in place. In various embodiments, a disposable loading unit can include a lockout feature which can prevent, or at least inhibit, an expended disposable loading unit from being reassembled to the elongated body of the surgical instrument.