Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Abstract: A loading unit assembly includes a tool assembly having first and second jaw members and a pivot pin configured to pivotably couple the first and second jaw members. The first jaw member is movable with respect to the second jaw member between spaced and approximated positions, wherein the pivot pin includes a base portion and first and second stepped portions extending radially outward from the base portion. The first and second stepped portions are configured to pivotably engage the first and second jaw members, respectively.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members, and a plurality of staples. The endoscopic portion defines a longitudinal axis. The pair of jaw members is disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extends generally distally therefrom. Each of the jaw members is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The plurality of staples is disposed at least partially within a second jaw member. Each of the staples includes a pair of legs depending from a backspan. Each leg includes a staple tip defining a first angle ?1 between about 25° and about 35°.

Abstract: A jaw restraint is provided to temporarily secure an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly during shipping. The jaw restraint generally includes a body portion having an upper arm for releasably securing the anvil assembly and a lower arm for releasably securing the cartridge assembly. An inwardly projection is provided between the upper and lower arms. The anvil assembly is secured between the upper arm and the inwardly directed projection and the cartridge assembly is secured between the lower arm of the inwardly directed projection. One or more finger members extending proximally from the body portion may be provided to facilitate biasing the upper arm away from the lower arm to release the anvil and cartridge assemblies from the jaw restraint. The jaw restraint may be provided with structure for engagement with shipping packaging.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.

Abstract: A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including a cartridge, a longitudinal channel, a first row of slots, and a second row of slots. The cartridge has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The longitudinal channel extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion. The first row of slots is disposed on a first side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the first row of slots is empty. The second row of slots is disposed on a second side of the longitudinal channel. At least one slot in the second row of slots has a staple disposed therein.

Abstract: A jaw restraint is provided to temporarily secure an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly during shipping. The jaw restraint generally includes a body portion having an upper arm for releasably securing the anvil assembly and a lower arm for releasably securing the cartridge assembly. An inwardly projection is provided between the upper and lower arms. The anvil assembly is secured between the upper arm and the inwardly directed projection and the cartridge assembly is secured between the lower arm of the inwardly directed projection. One or more finger members extending proximally from the body portion may be provided to facilitate biasing the upper arm away from the lower arm to release the anvil and cartridge assemblies from the jaw restraint. The jaw restraint may be provided with structure for engagement with shipping packaging.

Abstract: A jaw restraint is provided to temporarily secure an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly during shipping. The jaw restraint generally includes a body portion having an upper arm for releasably securing the anvil assembly and a lower arm for releasably securing the cartridge assembly. An inwardly projection is provided between the upper and lower arms. The anvil assembly is secured between the upper arm and the inwardly directed projection and the cartridge assembly is secured between the lower arm of the inwardly directed projection. One or more finger members extending proximally from the body portion may be provided to facilitate biasing the upper arm away from the lower arm to release the anvil and cartridge assemblies from the jaw restraint. The jaw restraint may be provided with structure for engagement with shipping packaging.

Abstract: A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle assembly, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members, and a plurality of staples. The endoscopic portion defines a longitudinal axis. The pair of jaw members is disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extends generally distally therefrom. Each of the jaw members is longitudinally curved with respect to the longitudinal axis. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The plurality of staples is disposed at least partially within a second jaw member. Each of the staples includes a pair of legs depending from a backspan. Each leg includes a staple tip defining a first angle ?1 between about 25° and about 35°.

Abstract: A jaw restraint is provided to temporarily secure an anvil assembly relative to a cartridge assembly during shipping. The jaw restraint generally includes a body portion having an upper arm for releasably securing the anvil assembly and a lower arm for releasably securing the cartridge assembly. An inwardly projection is provided between the upper and lower arms. The anvil assembly is secured between the upper arm and the inwardly directed projection and the cartridge assembly is secured between the lower arm of the inwardly directed projection. One or more finger members extending proximally from the body portion may be provided to facilitate biasing the upper arm away from the lower arm to release the anvil and cartridge assemblies from the jaw restraint. The jaw restraint may be provided with structure for engagement with shipping packaging.

Abstract: A loading unit assembly includes a tool assembly having first and second jaw members and a pivot pin configured to pivotably couple the first and second jaw members. The first jaw member is movable with respect to the second jaw member between spaced and approximated positions, wherein the pivot pin includes a base portion and first and second stepped portions extending radially outward from the base portion. The first and second stepped portions are configured to pivotably engage the first and second jaw members, respectively.

Abstract: A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A cartridge shipping aid is provided to retain staples within staple pockets of a staple cartridge during shipment. The cartridge shipping aid includes a base and a longitudinal rib extending perpendicularly from an underside of the base and indiscernible into a knife slot formed in a staple cartridge. One or more perpendicular keys are formed along a lower edge of the longitudinally extending rib for engagement with an underside surface of the staple cartridge. The cartridge shipping aid may additionally include sidewalls projecting perpendicularly from outer edges of the base. Projections are formed on one end of the base for engagement with associate detents formed on the staple cartridge. Grasping structure is formed adjacent one end of the base and longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.

Abstract: A locking shipping wedge is provided and generally includes a body portion having an elongate transverse member projecting from the body portion which is engageable with a drive assembly of a loading unit. A locking mechanism is provided on the body portion of the shipping wedge which is engageable with locking structure movably mounted within the loading unit.