Patent Publication Number: US-2021161525-A1

Title: Surgical apparatus with conductor strain relief

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/136,735, filed Sep. 20, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,918,383, issued Feb. 16, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/043,727, filed Feb. 15, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,749, issued Oct. 2, 2018, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/121,049 filed Feb. 26, 2015, the entire disclosures of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to surgical apparatus having an articulating tool assembly. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a surgical apparatus including a strain relief for relieving strain on electrical connections between a body of the surgical apparatus and the tool assembly during articulation of the tool assembly. 
     Background of Related Art 
     Surgical apparatus for operating on tissue are well known in the art and typically include a powered handle assembly, a body portion extending distally from the handle assembly, and a tool assembly supported on the distal end of the body portion and being articulable relative to the body portion. The tool assembly includes first and second jaws which are movable in relation to each other between unapproximated and approximated positions. In surgical stapling apparatus, the first jaw supports an anvil assembly and the second jaw supports a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly may be replaceable to permit reuse of the tool assembly during a surgical procedure. The replaceable cartridge assembly may be provided in a variety of configurations for use on tissue having different properties, i.e., thickness, density. For example, the different cartridge assemblies may have staples of different sizes and/or the staples may be arranged in different configurations. 
     Many cartridge assemblies include an identification chip that is electrically coupled to the handle assembly by a conductor extending through the body portion of the surgical stapling apparatus to ensure the handle assembly is programmed to operate with the attached cartridge assembly. During articulation of the loading unit, the conductor extending through the body portion to the tool assembly may experience strain. To prevent damage to the conductor connecting the handle assembly to the tool assembly during articulation, it would be beneficial to provide an electrical conductor with a strain relief. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, a surgical apparatus including an electrical conductor with a strain relief is provided. The surgical apparatus includes a body portion having a proximal end and a distal end and includes a connection assembly supported on the proximal end. The surgical apparatus further includes a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the body portion and being articulable relative to the body portion, the tool assembly including an identification assembly. In addition, the surgical apparatus includes an electrical conductor extending from the connection assembly to the identification assembly. The electrical conductor includes a strain relief portion for accommodating the articulation of the tool assembly relative to the body portion. 
     In embodiments, the strain relief portion includes a plurality of coils. A height of the plurality of coils may decrease from a proximal portion of the plurality of coils to a distal portion of the plurality of coils. Alternatively, the height of the plurality of coils is uniform from a proximal portion of the plurality of coils to a distal portion. The plurality of coils may be equally spaced relative to each other. 
     In some embodiments, the body portion defines a channel for receiving the electrical conductor. The channel may include a central portion for receiving the strain relief portion of the electrical conductor. The surgical apparatus may include a powered handle assembly and the electrical conductor electrically couples the identification assembly to the handle assembly. The tool assembly may include a stapling assembly. The stapling assembly may include a removable cartridge assembly. The electrical conductor may include a flexible cable. The flexible cable may include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the flexible cable may be axially affixed to the body portion, for example, using adhesive. 
     In embodiments, the strain relief portion is configured to permit lengthening of the electrical conductor. Alternatively, or in addition, the strain relief portion is configured to permit shortening of the electrical conductor. The body portion, the tool assembly, and the electrical conductor may form a loading unit which is configured to be releasably coupled to a powered handle assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side, perspective view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical stapling apparatus including a tool assembly in an approximated position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side, perspective view of a disposable loading unit of the surgical stapling apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side, perspective view of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged side, perspective view of a mounting assembly and a firing lockout assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 2 , with parts separated; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a proximal end of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side, perspective view of the proximal end of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with a upper housing half removed; 
         FIG. 8  is a side, perspective view of an identification assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 9  is a side, perspective view of the identification assembly shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a connector assembly of the identification assembly shown in  FIG. 8  and a proximal end of a channel member of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative perspective view of the connector assembly and channel member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side, perspective view of a chip assembly of the identification assembly shown in  FIG. 8  secured to a cartridge body of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 14  is perspective end view of a cartridge assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  including the chip assembly shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a side, perspective view of the cartridge assembly shown in  FIG. 14  being loaded into the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top perspective view of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with an anvil assembly removed; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of a locking mechanism and a mounting assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged perspective view of a latch member of the locking mechanism shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom, perspective view of the locking mechanism and the mounting assembly shown in  FIG. 18  and distal end of a drive assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a side, cross-sectional view of the distal end of the drive assembly shown in  FIG. 20  and the latch member shown in  FIG. 19  in a first or unlocked configuration; 
         FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end of the drive assembly and the latch member shown in  FIG. 21  in a second or locked configuration; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional side view taken along line  23 - 23  shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail shown in  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a side, perspective view of the locking mechanism and the drive assembly shown in  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a side, cross-sectional view taken along line  26 - 26  shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a top view of a tool assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  with the anvil plate removed; 
         FIG. 28  is an enlarged view of a proximal end of the tool assembly shown in  FIG. 27  in a first articulated position; 
         FIG. 29  is a side, perspective view of a cartridge assembly of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 2  and a shipping wedge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom, perspective view of the shipping wedge shown in  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a side, perspective view of a loading unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, including a flexible cable; and 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic view of the flexible cable of the loading unit shown in  FIG. 31 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed surgical apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In this description, the term “proximal” is generally used to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is closer to a clinician, while the term “distal” is generally used to refer to the portion of the apparatus that is farther from the clinician. 
     As a tool assembly of a surgical apparatus is articulated, any cables extending from the body portion to the tool assembly experience strain, i.e., compression or tension. During articulation of the tool assembly, the strain experienced by the cable or cables may damage the cables or cause the cables to become detached. The embodiments of the present disclosure address providing a strain relief for relieving the strain experienced by the cable or cables during articulation of the tool assembly. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the presently disclosed surgical apparatus shown generally as surgical stapler  10 . Although illustrated as a surgical stapler, the apparatus may include other types of end effectors including forceps, retractors, clip appliers or the like. The surgical stapler  10  includes a powered handle assembly  12 , a body portion  14 , and a loading unit  100 . Handle assembly  12  and body portion  14  are configured to effect operation of loading unit  100 . For a detailed description of the structure and function of handle assembly  12  and body portion  14 , please refer to commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0253329 (“the &#39;329 publication”), the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Although loading unit  100  is shown and described as being selectively secured to body portion  14  of surgical stapler  10 , it is envisioned that loading unit  100  can be supported directly on the distal end of the body portion  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the loading unit  100  includes a proximal body portion  102  and a tool assembly  104 . A mounting assembly  170  is secured to the tool assembly  104  and is pivotally coupled to the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  to pivotally secure the tool assembly  104  to the proximal body portion  102 . The loading unit  100  is substantially as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0098965 (“the &#39;965 publication”) except that the firing lockout mechanism has been changed, and components for cooperating with a powered handle assembly, i.e., an identification assembly and a flexible cable, and a shipping wedge have been added. The &#39;965 publication is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Accordingly, the components of the loading unit  100  which are common to those which are disclosed in the &#39;965 publication, will only be briefly described herein. In contrast, the components which are newly presented herein, including a connection assembly  190  ( FIGS. 5-7 ), an identification assembly  200  ( FIGS. 8-17 ), a firing lockout assembly  220  ( FIGS. 19-28 ), a shipping wedge  300  ( FIGS. 29 and 30 ), a flexible cable “R2” ( FIGS. 31 and 32 ) and their methods of operation will be described in detail herein. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  includes an upper housing half  110   a  and a lower housing half  110   b  which are contained within an outer sleeve  112 . The upper housing half  110   a  defines a recess  111   a  for receiving a first end of a first coupling member  114   a  and the lower housing half  110   b  defines a recess  111   b  for receiving a first end of a second coupling member  114   b . When the outer sleeve  112  is positioned about the upper and lower housing halves  110   a ,  110   b , the first and second coupling members  114   a  and  114   b  are retained within the respective recesses  111   a ,  111   b  by the outer sleeve  112 . 
     The proximal end of the upper housing half  110   a  includes engagement nubs  116  for releasably engaging the distal end of the body portion  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the stapling apparatus  10  ( FIG. 1 ) in a bayonet-type coupling arrangement. The upper and lower housing halves  110   a ,  110   b  each define a channel  113   a ,  113   b , respectively, for slidably receiving a drive member  182  of a drive assembly  180 , as will be described in further detail below. An articulation link  118  is slidably positioned between the upper and lower housing halves  110   a ,  110   b  and is adapted to engage an articulation mechanism (not shown) of the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ) to facilitate articulation of the tool assembly  104  in relation to the proximal body portion  102 . A pair of blow out plate assemblies  120   a ,  120   b  are positioned adjacent the distal end of the upper and lower housing halves  110   a ,  110   b  to prevent outward buckling and/or bulging of the drive member  182  during articulation and firing of the tool assembly  104 . 
     A channel  117  extends the length of upper housing half  110   a  for receiving a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” or wires. As will be described in further detail below, electrical ribbon “R1” electrically couples a connection assembly  190  disposed in a proximal end of the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  with an identification assembly  200  ( FIG. 8 ) disposed within the tool assembly  104  of the loading unit  100 . A more detailed description of the components of the proximal body portion  102  is provided in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,143,924 (“the &#39;924 patent”) the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the tool assembly  104  includes an anvil assembly  130  and a replaceable cartridge assembly  150  which are movable in relation to each other between unapproximated and approximated positions. The anvil assembly  130  includes an anvil body  132  and an anvil plate  134  which is secured to the underside of the anvil body  132  to define a channel  131  ( FIG. 24 ). A proximal end of the anvil body  132  includes a bracket  132   a  defining a hole  133  for receiving a cylindrical pivot member  172   a  of an upper mounting portion  172  of a mounting assembly  170 . The anvil plate  134  defines a longitudinal slot  135  which is dimensioned to slidably receive a portion of the working end  184  of a drive member  182  as will be discussed in further detail below. A tissue contacting surface  134   a  of the anvil plate  134  defines a plurality of staple receiving depressions (not shown). 
     The cartridge assembly  150  includes a support plate  152 , cartridge body  154 , a plurality of staples “S”, and a staple firing assembly  160  that includes an actuation sled  162  and is further described below. The cartridge assembly  150  is receivable in a jaw member  156 . The cartridge body  154  and the support plate  152  are attached to the jaw member  156  by a snap-fit connection as described in the &#39;965 publication which has been incorporated herein by reference. Other forms of connection are contemplated and can be used in place of the snap-fit connection or in addition thereto. 
     The jaw member  156  is pivotally secured to the anvil body  132  by pivot pins  138  which extend through openings  139  formed in the anvil body  132  and openings  151  formed in the jaw member  156 . The cartridge body  154  defines a longitudinal slot  153   a  and a plurality of laterally spaced staple retention slots  153   b  which are positioned in alignment with the staple receiving depressions (not shown) in the tissue contacting surface  134   a  of the anvil plate  134 . An actuation sled  162  is configured to translate through the cartridge body  154 . The longitudinal slot  153   a  of the cartridge body  154  receives a projection  162   a  formed on the actuation sled  162  to guide the actuation sled  162  through the cartridge body  154 . The cartridge body  154  includes a detent  154   a  ( FIG. 14 ) extending within the longitudinal slot  153   a  which are received in the recesses  163   a  ( FIG. 14 ) formed on the projection  162   a  of the actuation sled  162  to secure the actuation sled  162  in place during shipping of the cartridge assembly  150 . Each retention slot  153   b  receives a fastener or staple “S” and a pusher  164 . The actuation sled  162  is positioned within the cartridge body  154  to pass longitudinally through the cartridge body  154  into engagement with the pushers  164  to sequentially eject the staples “S” from the cartridge body  154 . The cartridge body  154  further includes a pair of tissue stop members  154   b  ( FIG. 14 ) which prevent tissue (not shown) from being positioned proximally of the staple retention slots  153   b . For a more detailed discussion of the cartridge assembly  150  including the support plate  152 , see the &#39;965 publication which has been incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mounting assembly  170  includes the upper and lower mounting portions  172 ,  174  and a retention blade  176 . As shown, the upper and lower mounting portions  172 ,  174  are secured together by the posts  178  that extend from the upper mounting portion  172 . Each of the upper and lower mounting portions  172 ,  174  includes a pivot member  172   a  ( FIG. 3 ) and  174   a  ( FIG. 4 ), respectively. As described above, the pivot member  172   a  on the upper mounting portion  172  is received within the hole  133  ( FIG. 3 ) of the bracket  132   a  of the anvil body  132  to secure the upper mounting portion  172  to the anvil body  132 . The first coupling member  114   a  ( FIG. 3 ) of the proximal body portion  102  has a second end which defines an opening  115   a  which also receives the pivot member  172   a . The pivot member  174   a  on the lower mounting portion  174  is received in an opening  115   b  of the second coupling member  114   b  ( FIG. 3 ) of the proximal body portion  102 . The pivot pins  138  which secure the anvil body  132  to the jaw member  156  extend through the openings  139  formed in the anvil body  132  and the openings  151  formed in the jaw member  156  and are received in the openings  173  formed in the lower mounting portion  174  to secure the lower mounting portion  174  to the jaw member  156  ( FIG. 3 ). The lower mounting portion  174  defines a slot  177  for receiving the retention blade  176 . As will be described in further detail below, retention blade  176  includes a curved distal facing surface  176   a  ( FIG. 4 ) and a pair of limiting members  176   b  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     The drive assembly  180  includes the drive member  182  having a body and a working end  184 . The working end  184  includes an upper flange  186   a , a lower flange  186   b , a vertical strut  186   c  interconnecting the upper flange  186   a  and the lower flange  186   b , and a knife  187  supported on or formed into the vertical strut  186   c . The upper flange  186   a  is positioned to be slidably received within the channel  131  ( FIG. 24 ) of the anvil assembly  130  and the lower flange  186   b  is positioned to be slidably positioned along an outer surface  156   a  ( FIG. 24 ) of the jaw member  156 . In use, distal movement of the drive member  182  initially advances the upper flange  186   a  into a cam surface  134   b  formed on the anvil plate  134  and advances the lower flange  186   b  into engagement with a cam surface  156   b  formed on the jaw member  156  to pivot the cartridge assembly  150  towards the anvil assembly  130  to the approximated or closed position. Continued advancement of the drive member  182  progressively maintains a minimum tissue gap between the anvil assembly  130  and the cartridge assembly  150  adjacent the working end  184  of the drive assembly  180  as the working end  184  moves through the tool assembly  104 . 
     The distal end of the body of the drive member  182  supports the working end  184  of the drive member  182  and defines a stop surface  184   a . The actuation sled  162  ( FIG. 3 ) is disposed within the cartridge assembly  150  ( FIG. 3 ) at a position distal of the working end  184 . When the working end  184  is in its proximal-most position and the tool assembly  104  is in the open or unapproximated position ( FIG. 24 ), the sled  162  and the working end  184  are in their initial position. The sled  162  includes a plurality of cam surfaces  166   a  which are positioned to engage and lift the pushers  164  within the staple retention slots  153   b  of the cartridge body  154 . The pushers  164  ( FIG. 3 ) are positioned within the cartridge assembly  150  to eject the staples “S” from the cartridge body  154  when the sled  162  is advanced through the tool assembly  104 . The proximal end of the sled  162  includes one or more fingers  166   a  which define an opening or slot  163  ( FIG. 4 ) which will be described in further detail below. 
     In certain embodiments, the body of the drive member  182  is formed from a plurality of stacked sheets  182   a - d  of material, e.g., stainless steel. A locking member  188  ( FIG. 3 ) is supported about the proximal end of the loading unit  100  to prevent axial movement of the drive member  182  until the loading unit  100  is attached to the stapling apparatus  10  ( FIG. 1 ). A more detailed discussion of the above-identified components of the loading unit  100  is described in the &#39;924 patent which has been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , a connection assembly  190  is supported on a proximal end of the upper housing half  110   a  of the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  and provides an electrical connection between the loading unit  100  and the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The connection assembly  190  includes a connector housing  192 , a contact member  194 , and an electronic chip  196 . The contact member  194  includes a pair of contact portions  194   a  that are received within the recesses  193  of the connector  192 . The contact portions  194   a  are positioned to engage corresponding contact portions (not shown) of a contact member (not shown) disposed within the elongate body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ). The contact member  194  includes a connector portion  194   b  that extends between the contact portions  194   a . As described above, a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” or wires, extends through the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  and into the tool assembly  104  to electrically couple the connection assembly  190  with the identification assembly  200  ( FIG. 8 ). 
     During attachment of the loading unit  100  to the elongate body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ), the contact portions  194   a  of the contact member  194  of connection assembly  190  are positioned to engage the contact portions (not shown) of a connector assembly (not shown) supported within a distal end of the elongate body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) of the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ). Engagement of the contact members  194   a  of the connection assembly  190  with the contact members of the connector assembly of the surgical stapler  10  connects the identification assembly  200  ( FIG. 8 ) of the loading unit  100  with the handle assembly  12  ( FIG. 1 ) of the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ). As noted above, the loading unit  100  may be attached to the elongate body  14  with a bayonet coupling or in any other suitable manner. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 8-17 , the identification assembly  200  of the loading unit  100  includes a connector assembly  202  and a chip assembly  212 . The connector assembly  202  includes a connector housing  204 . A tab  204   b  and a protrusion  206   b  extend outwardly from the connector housing  204 . The tab  206   a  is received within an opening  157   a  ( FIG. 10 ) in the jaw member  156  of the tool assembly  104  to align the connector housing  204  with the jaw member  156  and the protrusion  206   b  is received within an opening  157   b  ( FIG. 10 ) in the jaw member  156  to secure the connector assembly  202  to the jaw member  156 . The connector housing  204  receives a distal end of the conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon “R1” ( FIG. 11 ) that extends from the connection assembly  190  ( FIG. 6 ) to electrically communicate the contact member  194  of the connection assembly  190  ( FIG. 7 ) with first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b . In embodiments, electrical ribbon “R1” is soldered to the first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  and the connector housing  204  is molded about the distal end of the electrical ribbon “R1” and the first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  to secure the electrical ribbon “R1” with the first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b . The contact members  206   a ,  206   b  extend distally from the connector housing  204  when the connector housing  204  is secured to the jaw member  156 . 
     The chip assembly  212  includes a chip housing  214  and an identification chip  218 . A projection  214   a  extends from the chip housing  214  and is received within a recess  155  ( FIG. 12 ) formed in a proximal end of the cartridge body  154  ( FIG. 12 ) of the cartridge assembly  150  to secure the chip assembly  212  to the cartridge body  154 . The chip assembly  212  further includes first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  that extend from the chip housing  214  and communicate with the identification chip  218 . 
     The first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  engage the respective first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  of the connector assembly  202  when the cartridge body  154  is received within the jaw member  156  ( FIG. 16 ). In embodiments, and as shown, the first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  of the connector assembly  202  and first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  of the chip assembly  212  are supported on the connector housing  204  and the chip housing  214 , respectively, in a cantilevered fashion to permit a snap engagement between the first contact members  206   a ,  216   a  and between the second contact members  206   b ,  216   b . The first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  of the connector assembly  202  and the first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  of the chip assembly  212  may include a substantially spherical shape to facilitate engagement between the connector assembly  202  and the chip assembly  212 . 
     The identification chip  218  may include any commercially available chip capable of storing information including specifications of the cartridge assembly  150 , e.g., cartridge size, staple arrangement, staple length, clamp-up distance, production date, model number, lot number, expiration date, etc., and transmitting at least some of the information to the handle assembly  12  ( FIG. 1 ). In one embodiment, the identification chip  218  includes an erasable programmable read only memory (“EPROM”) chip. In this manner, the configuration of an attached cartridge assembly  150  may be relayed to the handle assembly  12  such that, for example, the firing forces and/or the length of the firing stroke of the handle assembly  12  may be adjusted to accommodate the particular cartridge assembly  150 . It is envisioned that instead of an EPROM, the identification chip  218  may be a read/write memory chip, such as read/write RAM, such that data may be written onto the identification chip  218 . For example, usage information may be written onto the identification chip  218  that identifies that the loading unit  100  has been fully or partially fired to prevent reuse of an empty or partially fired loading unit, or for any other purpose. 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 16-18 , as the cartridge assembly  150  is received within the jaw member  156  of the loading unit  100 , the first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  of the chip assembly  212  engage the first and second contact member  206   a ,  206   b  of the connector assembly  202 . Once the first and second contact members  216   a ,  216   b  of the chip assembly  212  are engaged with the respective first and second contact members  206   a ,  206   b  of the connector assembly  202 , information stored on the identification chip  218  of the chip assembly  212  may be relayed to the handle assembly  12  upon connection of the loading unit  100  to the body portion  14  of the surgical stapler  10 . As described above, the identification assembly  200  is connected to the surgical stapler  10  ( FIG. 1 ) via a conductor, e.g., electrical ribbon or cable “R1” ( FIGS. 7 and 11 ) extending through the loading unit  100  and by the connection assembly  190  ( FIG. 6 ) which is disposed within a proximal end of the loading unit  100 . 
     The firing lockout assembly  220  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 18-28 . The firing lockout assembly  220  is substantially similar to the firing lockout assembly described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/230,516 (“the &#39;516 application”), filed Mar. 31, 2014, and will only be described in detail with reference to the differences therebetween. Accordingly, the content of the &#39;516 application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The firing lockout assembly  220  includes a latch member  222  which is pivotally supported on a distal end of the lower mounting portion  174 . The latch member  222  includes a U-shaped body ( FIG. 19 ) having a proximal base member  224  and two spaced distally extending legs  226 . As shown, the base member  224  is provided with a blocking member  224   a  which defines a blocking surface and is welded or secured to the base member  224  to provide additional support to the base member  224 . Alternatively, the base member  224  and the blocking member  224   a  are integrally or monolithically formed. The latch member  222  is pivotal from a first position ( FIG. 21 ) to a second position ( FIG. 22 ). In the first position shown in  FIG. 21 , the blocking member  224   a  of the latch member  222  is aligned with the stop surface  184   a  of the drive member  182  to prevent advancement of the drive member  182  within the tool assembly  104 . In the second position shown in  FIG. 22 , the blocking member  224   a  is misaligned with the stop surface  184   a  of the drive member  182  to permit advancement of the drive member  182  within the tool assembly  104 . 
     With particular reference to  FIGS. 18-20 , each of the legs  226  of the latch member  222  has a centrally located pivot member  228  and an abutment surface  230 . The pivot members  228  are supported on hooked arms  174   b  ( FIG. 20 ) of the lower mounting portion  174  of the mounting assembly  170  to pivotally support the latch member  222  on the lower mounting portion  174 . A biasing member includes a pair of springs  232  ( FIG. 18 ) which is supported within respective bores  175   a  ( FIG. 18 ) formed in a distal face of the lower mounting portion  174  to urge the latch member  222  towards the first position. Each of the springs  232  is positioned to engage a nub  230   a  formed on the respective abutment surfaces  230  of the latch member  222  to bias the latch member  222  in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in  FIG. 24 . A distal end of each of the legs  226  includes a downwardly extending projection  234  which is positioned to extend through an opening  163  ( FIG. 20 ) defined in the sled  162  when the sled  162  is in a retracted position, the latch member  222  is in the first position and the anvil assembly  130  and the cartridge assembly  150  are in an approximated position. 
     A pair of springs  236  is positioned between the inner surface  156   b  ( FIG. 10 ) of the jaw member  156  and a respective bore  175   b  ( FIG. 20 ) defined in a bottom surface of the lower mounting portion  174  to urge the tool assembly  104  to the unapproximated position ( FIG. 2 ). The jaw member  156  includes a pair of cylinders  158  ( FIGS. 10 and 11 ) for engaging springs  236 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 23 and 24 , when the drive member  182  is in the fully retracted position and the tool assembly  104  is in the unapproximated or open position, the upper and lower flanges  186   a ,  186   b  of the working end  184  of the drive member  182  are spaced proximally of the sled  162  and proximally of cam surfaces  238   a ,  238   b  formed on the anvil plate  134  and the jaw member  156 , respectively. In the unapproximated position of the tool assembly  104 , the latch member  222  is urged towards a counter-clockwise position by springs  232 . The lower mounting portion  174  includes a surface  240  which is positioned to engage the base member  224  or blocking member  224   a . Engagement between the blocking member  224   a  and the surface  240  of the lower mounting portion  174  prevents further counter-clockwise rotation of the latch member  222  to retain the latch member  222  in the first position. As shown in  FIG. 25 , the blocking member  224   a  engages a gusset  174   c  of the lower mounting portion  174  to prevent distal movement of the latch member  222  when the firing lockout assembly  220  is in the locked configuration. 
     The operation of the firing lockout assembly  220  is described in detail in the &#39;516 application. Briefly, during firing of the loading unit  100 , the latch member  222  of the firing lockout assembly  220  is pivoted about the pivot members  174   b  of the lower mounting portion  174 . As described above, the retention blade  176  is received within slot  177  in the lower mounting portion  174 . As illustrated in  FIG. 26 , the curved surface  176   a  of the retention blade  176  accommodates the arcuate motion of the blocking member  224   a  of the latch member  222  to prevent proximal movement of the latch member  222  during firing of the loading unit  100 . Proximal movement of the latch member  222  could cause the pivot members  228  to separate from the hooked arms  174   b  of the lower mounting portion  174 . Separation of the latch member  222  from the lower mounting portion  174  during firing of the loading unit  100  may result in misfiring of the loading unit  100  and/or prevent the firing lockout assembly  220  from functioning properly. 
     Prior to firing of the loading unit  100 , the tool assembly  104  may be articulated relative to the proximal body portion  102 . During articulation of the tool assembly  104 , limiting member  176   b  of retention blade  176  engages the second coupling member  114   b  which extends from the proximal body portion  102  of the loading unit  100  to limit the articulation of the tool assembly  104  relative to the proximal body portion  102 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , the shipping wedge  300  of cartridge assembly  150  is configured to maintain staples “S” ( FIG. 3 ) within staple retention slots  153   b  of cartridge body  154  and prevent actuation of tool assembly  104  of loading unit  100  prior to removal. The shipping wedge  300  includes an elongate body  302  defining an elongate recess  303  ( FIG. 30 ) along a bottom surface of the elongate body. A flange  304  extends from within the elongated recess  303  and includes a plurality of protrusions  304  for securing flange  304  within elongate slot  153   a  ( FIG. 14 ) of the cartridge body  154  ( FIG. 29 ). A proximal end of the elongate body  302  includes a raised portion  306  ( FIG. 29 ) configured to prevent approximation of the cartridge assembly  150  ( FIG. 2 ) towards the anvil assembly  130  ( FIG. 2 ) once the cartridge assembly  150  is loaded within the jaw member  156  ( FIG. 2 ) of the tool assembly  104  and prior to removal of the shipping wedge  300 . A distal end of the elongate body  302  includes a projection  308  which is positioned and configured to be grasped by a clinician to facilitate separation of the shipping wedge  300  from the cartridge assembly  150 . A plurality of tabs  310  extend from the elongate body  302  for engaging the cartridge body  154  of the cartridge assembly  150  to releasable secure the shipping wedge  300  to the cartridge body  154  of the cartridge assembly  150 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 31 and 32 , a loading unit according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown generally as loading unit  400 . The loading unit  400  is substantially similar to the loading unit  100  described hereinabove and will only be described as relates it to the differences therebetween. 
     The loading unit  400  includes an electrical conductor, i.e., a flexible cable or ribbon “R2”, for electrical coupling the connection assembly  190 , disposed on a proximal end of the proximal body portion  402  of the loading unit  400 , with an identification assembly  200  ( FIG. 8 ), disposed within the tool assembly  304  of the loading unit  400 . The flexible cable “R2” includes a strain relief portion including a plurality of coils “c”. As shown, the flexible cable “R2” includes seven (7) coils “c” of decreasing height from a proximal portion of the flexible cable “R2” to a distal portion of the flexible cable “R2”. It is envisioned that flexible cable “R2” may include more or less than seven (7) coils “c” and/or that the height of the coils may increase from the proximal portion to the distal portion. Alternatively, the heights of the coils “c” may be uniform or vary in a random or uniform manner. Although shown as having uniform spacing between the coils “c”, it is envisioned that the spacing between the coils “c” may be different. 
     During articulation of the tool assembly  404  of the loading unit  400  relative to the proximal body portion  402  of the loading unit  400 , the flexible cable “R2” experiences strain. The strain experienced by the flexible cable “R2” is a result of the distance between the connection assembly  190  proximal body portion  402  and the identification assembly  200  disposed within the tool assembly  404  changing as the tool assembly  404  articulates relative to the proximal body portion  402 . In particular, the distance between the connection assembly  190  and the identification assembly  200  increases as the tool assembly  404  articulates in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “D” in  FIG. 31 , and the distance between the connection assembly  190  and the identification assembly  200  decreases as the tool assembly  404  articulates in a second direction, as indicated by arrow “E” in  FIG. 31 . 
     The coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” allow the flexible cable “C” to have a variable length by deforming in response to a strain on the flexible cable “C”. In particular, when tension is applied to a distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 32 , flexion of each coil “c”, as indicated by arrows “a 1 ” in  FIG. 32 , and/or outward flexion of the coils “c” relative to each other, as indicated by arrows “a 2 ” in  FIG. 32 , permits the flexible cable “R2” to lengthen, thereby relieving the strain on the flexible cable “R2”. When compression is applied to the flexible cable “C”, as indicted by arrow “B” in  FIG. 32 , inward flexion of each coil “c”, as indicated by arrows “b 1 ,”, and/or inward flexion of the coils “c” relative to each other, as indicted by arrows “b 2 ” in  FIG. 32 , permits the flexible cable “R2” to shorten, thereby relieving the strain on the flexible cable “C”. 
     The proximal body portion  402  of loading unit  400  includes an upper housing half  410   a  and a lower housing half  410   b . A channel  417  extends a length of upper housing half  310   a  and receives the flexible cable “R2”. The channel  417  includes proximal and distal portions  417   a ,  417   b  for receiving the proximal and distal portions of the flexible cable “R2”, and a central portion  417   c  for receiving the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” and accommodating the flexion of the coils “c” when the flexible cable “R2” is experiencing strain. 
     The flexible cable “R2” extends the length of the proximal body portion  402  of loading unit  400  and into the tool assembly  404  of loading unit  400 . The flexible cable “R2” electrically couples the connection assembly  190  disposed with the proximal body portion  402  of the loading unit  400  with the identification assembly  200  ( FIG. 8 ) disposed within the tool assembly  404  of the loading unit  400 . The flexible cable “R2” may be loosely received within the channel  417  to permit longitudinal movement of the flexible cable “R2”. In one embodiment, the proximal end of flexible cable “C” is axially fixed within the proximal portion  417   a  of the channel  417  using, e.g., adhesives, over-molding. 
     As described above, the flexible cable “R2” extends between a proximal end of the body portion  402  of the loading unit  400  and the tool assembly  404  of the loading unit  400 . During articulation of the tool assembly  404  of the loading unit  400  relative to the proximal body portion  402  of the loading unit  300 , a strain, i.e., tension or compression, is experienced by the flexible cable “R2”. In particular, articulating of the tool assembly  404  relative to the proximal body portion  402  in a first direction, as indicated by arrow “D” in  FIG. 31 , creates a pulling force on distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 32 , and articulating of the tool assembly  404  relative to the proximal body portion  402  in a second direction, as indicted by arrow “E” in  FIG. 31 , creates a pushing force on the distal end of the flexible cable “R2”, as indicated by arrow “B” in  FIG. 32 . To accommodate the strain experienced by the flexible cable “R2” during articulation of the tool assembly  404 , and thereby prevent breaking and/or buckling of the flexible cable “R2”, as described above, the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” are configured to flex individually, and relative to each other. As the coils “c” flex outwardly, the flexible cable “R2” stretches, and as the coils “c” flex inwardly, the flexible cable “R2” compresses. Return of the tool assembly  404  to the non-articulated position causes the coils “c” of the flexible cable “R2” to return to the non-strained configuration. 
     Although shown and described as being incorporated into the loading unit  400 , it is envisioned that the flexible cable “R2” may be incorporated into any device having an articulating tool assembly and requiring electrical coupling of the articulating tool assembly to a handle assembly. 
     Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.