Surgical instrument with replaceable loading unit
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 system, comprising:
a loading unit;
an elongated body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and
a tip assembly disposed on the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to removably mount the loading unit to the elongated body, the tip assembly including:
a ring portion secured to the distal portion of the elongated body and defining an annular groove; and
a yoke mounted to the ring portion and rotatable relative to the ring portion between a first position and a second position to selectively secure the loading unit to the elongated body, the yoke including a distal ridge, wherein the annular groove is configured to receive the distal ridge such that the distal ridge slides along the annular groove as the yoke rotates relative to the ring portion.
2. The surgical instrument system according to claim 1 , wherein the ring portion defines a passage configured to receive the loading unit.
3. The surgical instrument system according to claim 2 , wherein the yoke defines a receiving space disposed in communication with the passage of the ring portion, the receiving space configured to selectively cooperate with a proximal end portion of the loading unit.
4. The surgical instrument system according to claim 3 , wherein in the first position of the yoke, the receiving space is positioned to releasably receive the proximal end portion of the loading unit, and in the second position of the yoke, the receiving space is positioned to enable the tip assembly to secure the proximal end portion of the loading unit to the tip assembly.
5. The surgical instrument system according to claim 3 , wherein the ring portion includes a guide ramp configured to selectively cooperate with the receiving space of the yoke.
6. The surgical instrument system according to claim 5 , wherein the yoke includes a tab member and a stop member configured to selectively cooperate with the guide ramp of the ring portion to enable the yoke to releasably receive the proximal end portion of the loading unit within the receiving space.
7. The surgical instrument system according to claim 5 , wherein the guide ramp includes a ledge that secures the loading unit to the tip assembly while the yoke is disposed in the second position.
8. The surgical instrument system according to claim 3 , wherein the proximal end portion of the loading unit includes at least one lug configured to be positioned within the receiving space of the yoke.
9. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
a loading unit;
an elongated body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; and
a tip assembly disposed on the distal portion of the elongated body and configured to removably mount the loading unit to the elongated body, the tip assembly including:
a ring portion secured to the distal portion of the elongated body; and
a yoke mounted to the ring portion and rotatable relative to the ring portion between a first position and a second position to selectively secure the loading unit to the elongated body, wherein the elongated body includes a sensor tube coupled to the yoke of the tip assembly, wherein movement of the yoke between the first position and the second position causes a corresponding movement of the sensor tube between a first position and a second position, respectively.
10. The surgical instrument system according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor tube is configured to be selectively locked in the second position thereof while the yoke is in the second position.
11. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated body; and
a tip assembly supported on the elongated body and configured to receive a loading unit, the tip assembly including:
a ring portion rotatably fixed to the elongated body and defining an annular groove; and
a yoke mounted to the ring portion and rotatable relative to the ring portion between a first position and a second position to selectively secure the loading unit to the elongated body, the yoke including a distal ridge configured to slide along the annular groove as the yoke rotates relative to the ring portion.
12. The surgical instrument according to claim 11 , wherein the ring portion defines a passage configured to receive the loading unit.
13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12 , wherein the yoke defines a receiving space disposed in communication with the passage of the ring portion, the receiving space configured to selectively cooperate with a proximal end portion the loading unit.
14. The surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein in the first position of the yoke, the receiving space is positioned to releasably receive the proximal end portion of the loading unit, and in the second position of the yoke, the receiving space is positioned to enable the tip assembly to secure the proximal end portion of the loading unit to the tip assembly.
15. The surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein the ring portion includes a guide ramp configured to selectively cooperate with the receiving space of the yoke.
16. The surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the yoke includes a tab member and a stop member configured to selectively cooperate with the guide ramp of the ring portion such that the yoke is configured to releasably receive the proximal end portion of the loading unit within the receiving space.
17. The surgical instrument according to claim 16 , wherein the tab member and the stop member of the yoke is configured to rotate relative to the guide ramp of the ring portion such that the receiving space of the yoke is configured to secure the loading unit to the tip assembly while the yoke is disposed in the second position.
18. The surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the guide ramp includes a ledge that is configured to secure the loading unit to the tip assembly while the yoke is disposed in the second position.
19. The surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein the receiving space of the yoke is configured to receive at least one lug of the loading unit.