Surgical Stapler with Universal Articulation and Tissue Pre-Clamp

Abstract

A tool assembly for a surgical stapling device includes a channel member for supporting a staple cartridge therein and an anvil to deform a plurality of staples ejected from the staple cartridge thereagainst. The tool assembly also includes a sled which is movable to force the staples from the cartridge against the anvil to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. A dynamic clamping member is included which has a pin which movably engages the anvil and a flange which movably engages the channel assembly. The dynamic clamping member is mounted to and movable with the sled. The pin and the flange of the dynamic clamping member cooperating to oppose the forces associated with clamping and stapling tissue and also to maintain a substantially uniform gap between the anvil and the staple cartridge during stapling of the tissue.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A surgical stapling loading unit for connection to a surgical stapler, the loading unit comprising a tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a channel dimensioned to receive a replaceable staple cartridge assembly, the staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of surgical staples, the loading unit having a connector portion for connecting to a shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the tool assembly is pivotally mounted. 
     
     
         11 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the channel has a bottom surface and upwardly extending side walls. 
     
     
         12 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the channel includes a plurality of mechanical interfaces for matingly receiving a corresponding plurality of mechanical interfaces disposed on outer-facing surfaces of the staple cartridge assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a sled. 
     
     
         14 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a dynamic clamping member. 
     
     
         15 . The loading unit according to  claim 14 , wherein the dynamic clamping member includes a knife blade. 
     
     
         16 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a plurality of pushers. 
     
     
         17 . The loading unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the anvil has a plurality of staple forming recesses. 
     
     
         18 . A surgical stapler having a housing and a shaft, the shaft removably attachable to the connector portion of the loading unit according to  claim 9 . 
     
     
         19 . The surgical stapler according to  claim 18 , wherein the shaft is removable from the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical stapler according to  claim 18 , wherein the stapler further includes a handle assembly. 
     
     
         21 . A kit having the loading unit according to  claim 9  and a first staple cartridge assembly and a second staple cartridge assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The kit according to  claim 21 , wherein the first staple cartridge assembly has surgical fasteners of a different size than the second staple cartridge assembly.