Abstract: A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher assembly and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher assembly.

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 surgical suturing instrument including 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 define 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 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of staples includes a staple cartridge assembly, an anvil assembly, and a buttress assembly. The staple cartridge assembly includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil assembly includes an anvil member and a shaft extending therefrom. The anvil member defines a plurality of staple pockets for deforming the staples. The anvil assembly is movable relative to the staple cartridge assembly between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil assemblies. The buttress assembly includes a cut ring secured with the anvil member, a buttress member disposed in a superposed relation with the plurality of staple pockets defined in the anvil member, and a retaining member having an attaching member configured to be secured with the cut ring to secure the buttress member with the anvil assembly.

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 fastener applier is disclosed, including a surgical fastener forming apparatus including surgical fasteners, an anvil having a plurality of fastener deforming cavities, and a plurality of pushers. The fastener includes a backspan having a bend along its length, and a pair of legs extending from the ends of the backspan. The pusher is configured to support the backspan, and translate the surgical fastener toward the fastener deforming cavities. The fastener legs enter and are deformed by the cavities in a manner such that they exit the cavities and contact a forming head protruding from the pusher. The forming head curves a portion of the fastener legs such that they lie parallel to and abut a portion of the backspan in the same plane. Also disclosed is a method of forming a surgical fastener with the surgical fastener forming apparatus.

Abstract: A circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher.

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 including a shipping member is provided. The loading unit includes a housing, a staple pushing assembly, a knife assembly, and a staple cartridge. The shipping member is configured to be selectively secured to the housing of the loading unit and prevents advancement of the staple pushing assembly and the knife assembly. The shipping member also retains staples within the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion. A cartridge assembly is 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 circular stapling instrument including a stapling forming assembly that is actuated independently from actuation of the cutting assembly is provided. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate body extending from the handle assembly, a cartridge assembly mounted on a distal end of the elongate body. The cartridge assembly includes a pusher and a knife assembly. The knife assembly is selectively fixed relative to the pusher.

Abstract: There is provided a method of attaching an end effector to a surgical instrument having a center rod with a distal tip. The method includes providing an end effector having a base and a coupler defining a pocket and movably mounted within the base. The end effector is moved over the center rod such that the distal tip of the center rod is seated within the pocket of the coupler. There is also disclosed an end effector including a base having a slot, a coupler movably mounted within the base and defining a pocket for receipt of a moving member of a surgical instrument and an operative member movably mounted on the base and connected to the coupler.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device is provided having a shell assembly including an outer housing portion having areas of varying wall thicknesses. Individual staple pockets in a row of staple pockets are positioned in areas of thinner wall thicknesses. Areas of increased wall thicknesses form longitudinally extending strengthening ribs along an inner surface of the outer housing portion. The longitudinally extending strengthening ribs may be solid, indented in the wall of the outer housing portion and or bisected by a slot extending through the outer housing portion.

Abstract: A surgical stapler is provided. The stapler includes a tubular body portion. A cartridge assembly is 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 chip assembly for use in a surgical stapler is provided. The chip assembly includes a housing assembly and a plug assembly. The housing assembly includes a base member, seal member, and a circuit board assembly. The base member defines a cavity for receipt of the circuit board assembly and the seal member is configured to be received about an open end of the base member. The plug assembly is configured to selectively engage the open end of the base member. The plug assembly includes a plug member and first and second contact members extending from the plug member. The first and second contact members are configured to be received within the cavity defined by the base member and engage the circuit board assembly when the plug assembly engages the housing assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed, the system including a first component and a second component, the first component being a reload assembly and the second component being selected from a group consisting of a handle assembly and an adapter assembly, the surgical instrument system including at least one chip assembly having a housing assembly on the first component, the housing assembly containing a chip, and a plug assembly on the second component, the chip having data for, and being configured to, prevent use of the reload assembly if the reload assembly is unauthorized.

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: 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 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.