BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a coupling member for coupling an actuating device to a removable tool assembly. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a coupling member including a locking assembly for securing a surgical actuating device to a disposable loading unit or reload of a surgical apparatus.

Description of Related Art

Surgical apparatus including a surgical actuating device and a disposable single use or multiple use loading unit or reload are known. Typically, during a surgical procedure, a reload, which may be in the form of a stapler, clip applier or the like, is connected to a surgical actuating device to perform a surgical procedure. After the surgical procedure is completed, the spent reload may be replaced with a fresh reload to facilitate performance of another surgical procedure.

During surgical procedures, it is imperative that the reload be securely fastened to the surgical actuating device in a manner to prevent separation of the reload from the surgical actuating device during actuation of the reload. It is also important that the reload be capable of attachment to and detachment from the surgical actuating device quickly.

SUMMARY

As can be appreciated, an electromechanical surgical device including a tool assembly that is easy to install and configured to lock when the electromechanical surgical device is fired may prove useful in the surgical arena.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a surgical apparatus. The surgical actuating device including a shaft having a distal end supporting a first coupling member. The first coupling member including one or more pairs of aperture. A reload includes a tool assembly. The reload includes a second coupling member including a locking assembly. The second coupling member including a pair of spring pins that are positioned to be received within the at least one pair of apertures. The spring pins being movable from an inward position to a radial outward position. The locking assembly including a lock plate that is moveable from a first position located between the spring pins to prevent movement of the spring pins from the radial outward position to the inward position to a second position spaced from the spring pins. In the radial outward position, the spring pins are received within the apertures of the first coupling member to secure the reload to the surgical actuating member and wherein when the lock plate is in the first position, the reload cannot be separated from the surgical actuating device. The surgical actuating device may be electromechanically actuated.

The second coupling member may include an axle for supporting one or more springs and the pair of spring pins. The spring(s) may be positioned between the pair of spring pins and configured to bias the pair of spring pins to the radial outward position. Each of the spring pins of the second coupling member may include a tapered outer peripheral edge. Contact between the tapered outer edges of the spring pins and an outer edge of the first coupling member cams the spring pins inwardly against the bias of the spring(s).

The lock plate may include one or more hinges that pivotably couple the lock plate to an internal surface of the tool assembly of the reload. The lock plate may include a clevis at a top portion thereof. The clevis may be configured to connect to a proximal end of a plunger of the locking assembly. The plunger may support a spring for biasing the lock plate into engagement with the pair of spring pins when a knife of a cartridge of the tool assembly is fired.

The first coupling member may include two or more pairs of apertures. Each of the pairs of apertures may be configured to engage the pair of spring pins. The two pairs of apertures may be oriented orthogonally in relation to one another.

