Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes an end effector having an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge assembly, and an anvil buttress retention system releasably disposed on the anvil assembly. The anvil buttress retention system includes an anvil buttress and a retention member including an elongated body looped around at least a portion of the anvil buttress with a free end of the elongated body extendable through a looped end of the elongated body in an untightened configuration such that the anvil buttress retention system is slidable relative to the anvil assembly. The free end of the retention member is movable relative to and through the looped end to a tightened configuration to secure the anvil buttress retention system to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A method and a tool assembly maintain a tissue gap between distal portions of an anvil and a cartridge assembly of a stapling device. In embodiments, the tool assembly includes a locking member that is supported on one of the anvil and the cartridge assembly and is movable from an unlocked position to a locked position to secure distal portions of the anvil and the cartridge assembly together. In the locked position, the locking member is engaged with the distal portion of the other of the anvil and the cartridge assembly to maintain a tissue gap between the distal portion of the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly of a surgical stapling instrument includes a housing having an arcuate configuration, a knife disposed within the housing, and a staple actuator configured to eject staples. A longitudinally-extending cutting edge of the knife is configured to advance through tissue after the staple actuator ejects all of the staples from the cartridge assembly.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical instrument includes a body configured for coupling to a surgical instrument and defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the body. The end effector includes a staple cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge and an anvil assembly having an anvil plate. A drive assembly is at least partially disposed within the body. The drive assembly includes an actuator member having a roller engageable with at least one of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly. The roller is configured to rotate upon longitudinal movement of the drive assembly to facilitate movement of the drive assembly and relative movement of the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly between open and approximated conditions.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical instrument includes a body configured for coupling to a surgical instrument and defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the body. The end effector includes a staple cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge and an anvil assembly having an anvil plate. A drive assembly is at least partially disposed within the body. The drive assembly includes an actuator member having a roller engageable with at least one of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly. The roller is configured to rotate upon longitudinal movement of the drive assembly to facilitate movement of the drive assembly and relative movement of the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly between open and approximated conditions.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having an angled lower surface. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button that is supported on the channel member and engages the angled lower surface of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having an angled lower surface. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button that is supported on the channel member and engages the angled lower surface of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

Abstract: An end effector for a surgical stapling device includes an anvil, a multiple use loading unit, and an ejector assembly. The multiple use loading unit is pivotally secured to the anvil and includes a channel member defining a cavity and a staple cartridge received within the cavity. The staple cartridge has a distal portion having an angled lower surface. The ejector assembly includes an ejector button that is supported on the channel member and engages the angled lower surface of the staple cartridge such that movement of the ejector button from an advanced position to a retracted position in relation to the channel member lifts the distal portion of the staple cartridge from the cavity of the channel member.

Abstract: A surgical stapling apparatus includes an end effector having an anvil assembly and a staple cartridge assembly, and an anvil buttress retention system releasably disposed on the anvil assembly. The anvil buttress retention system includes an anvil buttress and a retention member including an elongated body looped around at least a portion of the anvil buttress with a free end of the elongated body extendable through a looped end of the elongated body in an untightened configuration such that the anvil buttress retention system is slidable relative to the anvil assembly. The free end of the retention member is movable relative to and through the looped end to a tightened configuration to secure the anvil buttress retention system to the anvil assembly.

Abstract: A loading unit for use with a surgical instrument includes a body configured for coupling to a surgical instrument and defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends, and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the body. The end effector includes a staple cartridge assembly having a staple cartridge and an anvil assembly having an anvil plate. A drive assembly is at least partially disposed within the body. The drive assembly includes an actuator member having a roller engageable with at least one of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly. The roller is configured to rotate upon longitudinal movement of the drive assembly to facilitate movement of the drive assembly and relative movement of the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly between open and approximated conditions.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate body, a toothed rack, and an end effector. The elongate body has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first longitudinal axis. The toothed rack is disposed within the elongate body and is movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The end effector has a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and supports a gear operatively associated with the rack. Longitudinal movement of the rack effects pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis. In the second position, the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate body, a toothed rack, and an end effector. The elongate body has a proximal end and a distal end and defines a first longitudinal axis. The toothed rack is disposed within the elongate body and is movable in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The end effector has a proximal end pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongate body. The end effector defines a second longitudinal axis and supports a gear operatively associated with the rack. Longitudinal movement of the rack effects pivotal movement of the end effector relative to the elongate body from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second longitudinal axis is aligned with the first longitudinal axis. In the second position, the second longitudinal axis is misaligned with the first longitudinal axis.