Abstract: An improved chip assembly for use in a stapling device includes a housing assembly receivable within a reload assembly. The housing assembly includes a base member defining a cavity and an identification assembly received within the cavity. The chip assembly further includes a plug assembly configured to selectively engage the base member. The plug assembly includes a housing, a wire extending from the housing, a seal member disposed within and extending from a distal end of the housing, and first and second contact members extending through the seal member and from the housing. The seal member is configured to be frictionally received within the base member to secure the plug assembly to the housing assembly in a fluid tight manner.

Abstract: A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking band. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular body. The annular body defines two hook openings that oppose one another, a lug opening positioned between the hook openings, and a central passage for receiving a portion of a surgical instrument. The locking band has an arced body with two ends, a retention hook positioned adjacent each end of the body and extending from the inner surface of the body. Each of the retention hooks is disposed within a respective one of the hook opening to retain a respective one of the ends of the locking band to the annular body. The lug is disposable through the lug opening into the central passage to secure the loading unit to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: Interlock assemblies for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument are provided. The interlock assemblies are formed on a proximal end of a shell member and on a distal end of an adapter assembly. The interlock assemblies may include a collar member for selectively securing the shell member to the adapter assembly. The collar member may be mounted on the shell member or on the adapter assembly.

Abstract: A loading unit including a shipping assembly is provided. The shipping assembly is operably received adjacent the cartridge assembly to retain staples with the cartridge assembly. The shipping assembly includes a shipping member selectively secured to loading unit and a locking member slidably disposed within the shipping member. The locking member is movable between a proximal position wherein the shipping member is secured to the housing and a distal position wherein the shipping member is removable from the housing.

Abstract: Interlock assemblies for attaching a loading unit to a surgical stapling instrument are provided. The interlock assemblies are formed on a proximal end of a shell member and on a distal end of an adapter assembly. The interlock assemblies may include a collar member for selectively securing the shell member to the adapter assembly. The collar member may be mounted on the shell member or on the adapter assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapler includes a tubular body portion and a cartridge assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion for expelling an annular array of staples. Each of the staples of the annular array of staples has a generally bent backspan. An anvil member disposed at the distal end of the tubular body portion is positioned opposite the cartridge assembly to clinch the staples in tissue upon expulsion of the staples from the cartridge assembly. The anvil member has a corresponding annular array of staple forming buckets. Each of the buckets is configured to accommodate the generally bent configuration of the staples to facilitate formation thereof.

Abstract: A method of inserting a circular stapling apparatus into a body lumen includes inserting a distal portion of a shell assembly of the circular stapling apparatus in an entrance to a body lumen, introducing an insufflation fluid through an aperture defined in an outer surface of the shell assembly, and inserting a remainder of the shell assembly and a portion of an elongated member into the body lumen. Introducing the insufflation fluid through the aperture flows insufflation fluid into the body lumen.

Abstract: A shell assembly includes a housing, a cartridge, and a hollow bushing. The housing defines a longitudinal axis and a cavity. The cartridge is supported on the housing and includes a plurality of staples. The hollow bushing is positioned within the cavity of the housing. The hollow bushing includes a distal portion and a proximal portion formed of a rigid material, and an expandable portion that connects the distal and proximal portions. The hollow bushing has an initial configuration where the hollow bushing defines a first length along the longitudinal axis and a stretched configuration where the hollow bushing defines a second length along the longitudinal axis which is greater than the first length.

Abstract: A circular stapling device includes a circular anvil assembly and a circular cartridge assembly. The anvil assembly includes a cap and head. The cap is movable relative to the head. The head supports a crush ring member that is movable into engagement with the cap to move the cap to an unapproximated position relative to the head to release a portion of an anvil buttress member supported between the anvil cap and the anvil head. The cartridge assembly includes a housing, a pusher member, a retaining ring member, and a fastener cartridge. The retaining ring member releasably secures a portion of a cartridge buttress member to one or both of the housing and the fastener cartridge. The retaining ring member releases the cartridge buttress member when the retaining ring member moves from a radially constricted condition to a radially expanded condition in response to a movement of the pusher member.

Abstract: A stapler is provided. The stapler includes a handle assembly and a shaft extending distally from the handle assembly. A tool assembly is configured to selectively couple to the shaft and includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a staple guide defining a tissue contacting surface. A resilient member operably positioned within the cartridge assembly is configured to bias the staple guide distally to provide a predetermined compressive force against tissue when the cartridge assembly and anvil are approximated toward one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cut ring assembly including a backup member, an intermediate member and a cutting ring body. The intermediate member is formed of a thin, rigid material that is sandwiched between the backup member and the cutting ring body. The thin, rigid material is formed of a material having a hardness less than the hardness of the backup member and greater than the hardness of the cutting ring body. The present disclosure also relates to an anvil assembly including such a cut ring assembly.

Abstract: A surgical suturing instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the elongate member. The end effector may include a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member between an open position and an approximated position for grasping tissue. Each of the jaw members defines a knife slot, a first needle slot, and a second needle slot extending along a longitudinal axis of the end effector. The end effector also includes a knife assembly and an upper assembly pivotably coupled to an upper knife flange of the knife assembly. The upper assembly includes an upper bellcrank, a first needle, a first suture passing through a first aperture defined by the first needle, a second needle, and a second suture passing through a second aperture defined by the second needle.

Abstract: A shipping member for selective attachment to a replaceable loading unit is provided. The shipping member includes an annular extension configured for selective engagement with a loading unit and configured to prevent movement of a knife assembly of the loading unit. The shipping member further includes first and second legs configured to prevent movement of a staple pusher assembly. The shipping member also includes a staple retaining surface configured to retain staples within a staple cartridge of the loading unit.

Abstract: A handle assembly for use with a surgical instrument having an operative distal end portion is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises a handle housing, a drive element, an actuator and a clamp release assembly. The drive element is disposed at least partially within the handle housing and is longitudinally translatable with respect to the handle assembly. The actuator is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the handle housing. At least a partial actuation of the actuator longitudinally translates the drive element. The clamp release assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive element. The clamp release assembly includes a clamp pawl configured to releasable lock the longitudinal position of the drive element.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: An anvil assembly is provided. The anvil assembly includes center rod assembly, a head assembly pivotal relative to the center rod assembly between an operative position and a tilted position, and a mechanism for selectively maintaining the head assembly in the operative position.

Abstract: A loading unit includes a shell assembly and a locking band. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular body. The annular body defines two hook openings that oppose one another, a lug opening positioned between the hook openings, and a central passage for receiving a portion of a surgical instrument. The locking band has an arced body with two ends, a retention hook positioned adjacent each end of the body and extending from the inner surface of the body. Each of the retention hooks is disposed within a respective one of the hook opening to retain a respective one of the ends of the locking band to the annular body. The lug is disposable through the lug opening into the central passage to secure the loading unit to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus (stapler) is provided. The stapler includes a housing, elongated member, and a reload. A cartridge is configured to selectively couple to a first jaw member of the reload and includes one or more resilient members thereon. An anvil operably supported on a second jaw member of the reload is configured to compress one or more fasteners ejected from the cartridge. The anvil includes one or more locking members thereon. A knife is configured to translate through the cartridge and anvil when the first and second jaw members are in a closed configuration. Engagement between the knife and the resilient member(s) causes the resilient member(s) to move from an initial configuration that allows the knife to travel distally past the locking member(s) to a final configuration that allows the locking member(s) to engage the knife.

Abstract: A shipping member for selective attachment to a replaceable loading unit is provided. The shipping member includes an annular extension configured for selective engagement with a loading unit and configured to prevent movement of a knife assembly of the loading unit. The shipping member further includes first and second legs configured to prevent movement of a staple pusher assembly. The shipping member also includes a staple retaining surface configured to retain staples within a staple cartridge of the loading unit.

Abstract: A loading unit assembly includes a shell assembly and a locking collar. The shell assembly has a proximally extending annular ring that defines a cylindrical opening. The annular ring defines a lock opening that passes through the annular ring. The shell assembly defines a retention slot that is adjacent the annular ring on an opposite side of the annular ring from the lock opening. The locking collar is positioned about the annular ring and has a body, a lock, and a retention tab. The body includes a release surface. The locking collar has a locked configuration wherein the lock extends into the cylindrical opening and an unlocked configuration wherein the lock is disposed outwardly of the cylindrical opening. The side of the locking collar opposite the lock is prevented from moving outwardly in relation to the annular ring when the release surface is pressed inwardly towards the annular ring.