US 12,433,587 B2
Surgical stapling device including a loading unit alignment indicator
Xiliang Zhang, Shanghai (CN); and Syed Sarfraz Ahamed, Shanghai (CN)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Appl. No. 18/284,790
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
PCT Filed Mar. 30, 2021, PCT No. PCT/CN2021/083964
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Sep. 28, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/204942, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 6, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0173029 A1, May 30, 2024
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 90/08 (2016.02); A61B 2017/07221 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0808 (2016.02)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An end effector comprising:
a frame having a U-shaped configuration and including:
first and second transverse portions; and
a longitudinal portion interconnecting the first and second transverse portions, the longitudinal portion defining a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal portion including a coupling portion including a visual indicator; and
a loading unit removably supported on the frame, the loading unit including:
an anvil plate supported on the first transverse portion of the frame;
a base portion extending proximally from the anvil plate, the base portion including a flange configured to engage the coupling portion of the longitudinal portion of the frame such that the visual indicator is concealed by the flange when the loading unit is in proper registration with the frame; and
a cartridge assembly supported on the base portion and movable in relation to the anvil plate between spaced and clamped positions.