CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DISPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS
A disposable loading unit includes an end effector that has an anvil, an elongate channel, and a staple cartridge removably coupled to the elongate channel, wherein at least one of the anvil and the elongate channel is movable to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A connector portion extends proximally from the end effector, wherein the connector portion comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis therethrough. The hollow body includes a first body portion on a first side of a plane transecting the hollow body, wherein the plane encompasses the longitudinal axis. The hollow body also includes a second body portion on a second side of the plane, and a plurality of connectors, including first and second connectors protruding from the first body portion, and third and fourth connectors protruding from the second body portion.
1 . A disposable loading unit for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the disposable loading unit comprises:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil;
an elongate channel; and
a staple cartridge removably coupled to the elongate channel, wherein at least one of the anvil and the elongate channel is movable to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a connector portion extending proximally from the end effector, wherein the connector portion comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis therethrough, and wherein the hollow body comprises:
a first body portion on a first side of a plane transecting the hollow body, wherein the plane encompasses the longitudinal axis;
a second body portion on a second side of the plane; and
a plurality of connectors, comprising:
a first connector protruding from the first body portion;
a second connector protruding from the first body portion;
a third connector protruding from the second body portion; and
a fourth connector protruding from the second body portion, wherein the plurality of connectors cooperate to releasably connect the disposable loading unit to the surgical instrument.
2 . The disposable loading unit of claim 1 , wherein the first connector and the third connector define a first axis transecting the longitudinal axis.
3 . The disposable loading unit of claim 2 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
4 . The disposable loading unit of claim 2 , wherein the second connector and the fourth connector define a second axis transecting the longitudinal axis.
5 . The disposable loading unit of claim 4 , wherein the second axis is parallel to the first axis.
6 . The disposable loading unit of claim 4 , wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
7 . The disposable loading unit of claim 1 , wherein the first connector is spaced apart from the second connector by a first distance, and wherein the third connector is spaced apart from the fourth connector by a second distance.
8 . The disposable loading unit of claim 7 , wherein the first distance is equal to the second distance.
9 . A disposable loading unit for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the disposable loading unit comprises:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil;
an elongate channel; and
a staple cartridge removably coupled to the elongate channel, wherein at least one of the anvil and the elongate channel is movable to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a connector portion extending proximally from the end effector, wherein the connector portion comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis therethrough, and wherein the hollow body comprises:
a first engagement portion, comprising:
a first connector protruding from the hollow body; and
a second connector protruding from the hollow body in a direction away from the first connector; and
a second engagement portion, comprising:
a third connector protruding from the hollow body; and
a fourth connector protruding from the hollow body in a direction away from the third connector, wherein the first engagement portion is radially offset from the second engagement portion, and wherein the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion cooperate to releasably connect the disposable loading unit to the surgical instrument.
10 . The disposable loading unit of claim 9 , wherein the first engagement portion is oriented at a 90° angle with respect to the second engagement portion.
11 . The disposable loading unit of claim 9 , wherein the first engagement portion defines a first axis transecting the longitudinal axis.
12 . The disposable loading unit of claim 11 , wherein the first axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
13 . The disposable loading unit of claim 11 , wherein the second engagement portion defines a second axis transecting the longitudinal axis.
14 . The disposable loading unit of claim 13 , wherein the second axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
15 . The disposable loading unit of claim 9 , wherein the first engagement portion is spaced apart from the second engagement portion.
16 . A disposable loading unit for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the disposable loading unit comprises:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil;
an elongate channel; and
a staple cartridge removably coupled to the elongate channel, wherein at least one of the anvil and the elongate channel is movable to capture tissue between the anvil and the staple cartridge; and
a connector portion extending proximally from the end effector, wherein the connector portion comprises a tubular member, and wherein the tubular member comprises:
an outer wall, comprising:
a first portion; and
a second portion radially offset from the first portion; and
a first coupling flange radially disposed on the first portion of the outer wall;
a second coupling flange radially disposed on the second portion of the outer wall, wherein the first coupling flange and the second coupling flange cooperate to releasably connect the disposable loading unit to the surgical instrument.
17 . The disposable loading unit of claim 16 , wherein the first coupling flange comprises a first distal portion, wherein the second coupling flange comprises a second distal portion, and wherein the first distal portion is positioned distally with respect to the second distal portion.
18 . The disposable loading unit of claim 16 , wherein the first coupling flange comprises a first proximal portion, wherein the second coupling flange comprises a second proximal portion, and wherein the first proximal portion is positioned proximally with respect to the second proximal portion.
19 . The disposable loading unit of claim 16 , wherein the first coupling flange is spaced apart from the second coupling flange.