Patent ID: 11957348
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. An anvil buttress loading system comprising:
an anvil assembly having a tissue facing surface defining a plurality of longitudinally-extending rows of staple forming pockets therein, the anvil assembly including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion of the anvil assembly including a hook and spring assembly located adjacent the staple forming pockets and, the hook and spring assembly including a first arm having a proximal end anchored to the tissue facing surface and a distal end including a first finger and a second finger extending from the proximal end distally toward the staple forming pockets, the first and second fingers movable relative to the tissue facing surface;
an anvil buttress loading tool including a carrier defining a cavity therein, the carrier having a support surface, a proximal end portion including a pair of proximal protrusions, and a distal end portion including a distal protrusion; and
an anvil buttress including a body, a pair of proximal tabs extending proximally from the body, and a distal tab extending distally from the body,
wherein:
the body of the anvil buttress is positionable on the support surface of the anvil buttress loading tool with the pair of proximal tabs engaged with the pair of proximal protrusions and the distal tab engaged with the distal protrusion to retain the anvil buttress on the anvil buttress loading tool;
the body of the anvil buttress is positionable on the tissue facing surface of the anvil assembly with a proximal end portion of the body engaged with the hook and spring assembly and the distal tab engaged with the distal end portion of the anvil assembly to retain the anvil buttress on the anvil assembly; and
the anvil buttress is transferrable from the anvil buttress loading tool to the anvil assembly.