SURGICAL STAPLER HAVING INTERCHANGEABLE LOADING UNITS

摘要

.degree. A surgical stapler disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil plate defining a fastener forming surface, and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion. A disposable loading unit is removably supported in the second body portion and includes a cartridge defining a plurality of slots, a plurality of surgical fasteners dispo sed in the slots, a plurality of ejectors positioned adjacent the surgical fasteners, and a wedged actuator configured to enter into and translate through the cartridge to sequent ially interact with the ejectors. An elongated actuation member is mounted for longitudinal movement within the second body portion and is releasably engagable with the edged actuator, whereby longitudinal movement of the actuation member causes the wedged actuator to interact with the ejectors, driving the surgical f asteners from the cartridge to be formed against the anvil plate. A surgical stapler is disclosed which includes a first body portion supporting an anvil which defines a fastener forming surface and a second body portion configured to releasably mate with the first body portion and having an elongate retention channel extending from a distal end thereof. A first disposab le loading unit is provided which is configured to be removably supported in the retention channel and which includes a staple housing carrying a plurality of st aples arranged in at least two parallel rows which, when applied to body tissue, form staple lines having a first lengthwise dimension. A second disposable loading unit is provided which is configured to be removably supported in the retention channel and which includes a staple housing carrying a plurality of staples arranged in at l east two parallel rows which, when applied to body tissue, form staple lines having a sec ond lengthwise dimension different from that of the staple lines formed by the first loading unit. The loading units and stapler can be packaged as a kit.