Surgical instrument with replaceable loading unit
View Patent ↗A surgical stapling device has an elongated body and a removable loading unit and a securing structure for securing the loading unit onto the elongated body. A guiding ramp guides the movement of the loading unit as it is mounted onto the loading portion. The locking structure has a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and enabling firing rod to engage the loading unit. The locking unit has a second position for allowing the loading unit to be disengaged and removed from the device.
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
an elongated housing having a proximal end and a distal end;
a loading unit removably mountable with the distal end of the elongated housing and having a tool assembly, the loading unit having at least one lug thereon; and
a handle assembly at the proximal end of the elongated housing;
a locking structure having a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and a second position for allowing movement of the loading unit, the locking structure including a locking shaft that extends through the elongated housing to the handle assembly, the locking shaft having a surface engaging the at least one lug in the first position of the locking structure and disengaging the at least one lug in the second position of the locking structure; and,
the locking structure includes a button disposed on the handle assembly.
2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongated housing defines at least one guiding channel for engagement with the at least one lug.
3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further including a rod extending through the elongated housing.
4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein the loading unit includes a drive assembly, the drive assembly being connected to the rod when the loading unit is mounted on the elongated housing.
5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the locking structure engages the rod when the locking structure is in the second position.
6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the button is distally biased.
7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the button is moveable between a first position and a second position.
8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the locking shaft defines a slot for engaging a protrusion on the button.
9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the locking shaft has a first distally-facing surface, a second distally-facing surface and a longitudinal surface extending therebetween.
10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one lug is captured between the first distally-facing surface, the second distally-facing surface, the longitudinal surface of the locking shaft, and the elongated housing when the locking structure is in the first position.
11. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein locking shaft and the elongated housing define a space for capturing the at least one lug therebetween.