Disposable loading unit and surgical instruments including same

Abstract

A disposable loading unit. The disposable loading unit includes a housing assembly, a knife assembly connected to the housing assembly, and an agent cartridge connected to the housing assembly. The agent cartridge houses a medical agent. The disposable loading unit is configured to deliver the medical agent proximate a cutting surface of the knife assembly.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . An assembly for a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a housing;    a cutting member relatively movable with respect to the housing, the cutting member having a cutting surface;    an agent cartridge connected to the housing, wherein the agent cartridge includes a cavity configured to house a medical agent therein; and    a driver extending from the cutting member, wherein the driver is configured to engage the agent cartridge and dispense the medical agent from the agent cartridge cavity proximate to the cutting surface as the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.    
   
   
       22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the quantity of medical agent dispensed from the agent cartridge is directly proportional to the distance that the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.  
   
   
       23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a handle and an elongate body extending from the handle, and wherein the assembly is configured to be releasably connected to the elongate body.  
   
   
       24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the cutting member includes a groove in fluid communication with the agent cartridge cavity, and wherein the groove is configured to deliver the medical agent from the agent cartridge cavity proximate to the cutting surface.  
   
   
       25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the agent cartridge comprises a body and a dispensing port defined by the body, and wherein the dispensing port is in fluid communication with the cutting member groove and the agent cartridge cavity.  
   
   
       26 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the agent cartridge comprises a body, and wherein the cutting member groove and the agent cartridge body define a passageway therebetween.  
   
   
       27 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the agent cartridge includes a dispensing port in fluid communication with the cavity and the groove, and wherein the groove is configured such that it remains in fluid communication with the dispensing port as the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.  
   
   
       28 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the agent cartridge comprises a body, wherein the agent cartridge cavity is at least partially defined by a sealing member connected to the body, and wherein the driver is configured to engage and displace the sealing member to dispense the medical agent from the agent cartridge cavity.  
   
   
       29 . The assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising a staple cartridge connected to the housing.  
   
   
       30 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the agent cartridge is directly connected to the housing.  
   
   
       31 . An assembly for a surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a housing;    a cutting member relatively movable with respect to the housing, wherein the cutting member comprises a cutting surface; and    an agent cartridge connected to the housing, wherein the agent cartridge includes a cavity configured to house a medical agent therein, wherein the cutting member includes a groove in fluid communication with the cavity, and wherein the groove is configured to deliver the medical agent from the cavity proximate to the cutting surface.    
   
   
       32 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the agent cartridge comprises a body, and wherein the agent cartridge body and the cutting member groove define a passage therebetween configured to deliver the medical agent from the cavity proximate to the cutting surface.  
   
   
       33 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the agent cartridge includes a dispensing port in fluid communication with the cavity, and wherein the groove is configured such that it remains in fluid communication with the dispensing port as the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.  
   
   
       34 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a handle and an elongate body extending from the handle, and wherein the assembly is configured to be releasably connected to the elongate body.  
   
   
       35 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the agent cartridge is directly connected to the housing.  
   
   
       36 . The assembly of  claim 31 , further comprising a staple cartridge connected to the housing.  
   
   
       37 . A surgical instrument, comprising: 
 a handle;    an elongate body extending from the handle; and    a disposable loading unit releasably connected to the elongate body, wherein the disposable loading unit comprises:    a housing;    a cutting member relatively movable with respect to the housing, the cutting member having a cutting surface; and    an agent cartridge connected to the housing, wherein the agent cartridge includes a cavity configured to house a medical agent therein, and wherein the disposable loading unit is configured to deliver the medical agent proximate the cutting surface.    
   
   
       38 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , wherein the quantity of medical agent dispensed from the agent cartridge is directly proportional to the distance that the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.  
   
   
       39 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , wherein the cutting member includes a groove in fluid communication with the agent cartridge cavity, and wherein the groove is configured to deliver the medical agent from the agent cartridge cavity proximate to the cutting surface.  
   
   
       40 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , wherein the agent cartridge is directly connected to the housing.  
   
   
       41 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , further comprising a staple cartridge connected to the housing.  
   
   
       42 . The surgical instrument of  claim 37 , further comprising a driver extending from the cutting member, wherein the driver is configured to engage the agent cartridge and dispense the medical agent from the agent cartridge cavity proximate to the cutting surface as the cutting member is moved relative to the housing.