US 11,744,580 B2
Long stapler reloads with continuous cartridge
Sabastian K. George, Hyderabad (IN); and Logamurugaraj Shanmugavel, Hyderabad (IN)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Nov. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/103,054.
Prior Publication US 2022/0160352 A1, May 26, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0686 (2013.01) [A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A loading unit for a surgical stapling apparatus, the loading unit comprising:
a shaft assembly;
an end effector defining a longitudinal axis, the end effector secured to the shaft assembly and including:
an anvil assembly;
a cartridge assembly including a cartridge channel and a hinge assembly pivotally coupled together, the hinge assembly including at least one arm that extends between the shaft assembly and the cartridge channel to enable the cartridge assembly to move relative to the anvil assembly between an open position and a closed position, the cartridge assembly including a reload that is selectively attachable to the cartridge channel, the reload having a plurality of cartridge units, each cartridge unit being longitudinally offset from the other cartridge units when the cartridge units are attached to the cartridge channel; and
a drive beam assembly that is positioned to advance distally through the anvil and cartridge assemblies to move the cartridge assembly relative to the anvil assembly.