Surgical stapling apparatus with locking mechanism

A surgical apparatus, comprising:

• a handle assembly;
• an elongate body having proximal and distal ends and extending distally from the handle assembly to define a longitudinal axis, the elongate body having a drive member extending therethrough;
• and
• a loading unit defining a longitudinal axis and including:
• a staple cartridge having surgical staples;
• a drive assembly arranged for longitudinal movement relative to the staple cartridge to facilitate ejection of the surgical staples therefrom;
• and
• a locking mechanism configured and dimensioned for selective disengagement with the drive assembly to permit movement thereof;
• wherein the loading unit is configured and dimensioned for rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate body, whereby rotation of the disposable loading unit facilitates repositioning of the locking mechanism between an initial position, wherein the locking mechanism is in engagement with the drive assembly of the tool assembly to inhibit movement thereof, and a subsequent position, wherein the locking mechanism allows for movement of the drive assembly, the locking mechanism including a pivot member with first and second ends and a pivot point between the first and second ends.

A loading unit configured and dimensioned for releasable engagement with an elongate body of a surgical apparatus, the loading unit including:

• a housing portion having proximal and distal ends and defining a longitudinal axis;
• a staple cartridge configured and dimensioned to retain a plurality of surgical staples therein, the staple cartridge being positioned adjacent the distal end of the housing portion;
• a drive assembly arranged for longitudinal movement through the housing portion to facilitate ejection of the surgical staples from the staple cartridge;
• and
• a locking mechanism configured and dimensioned for engagement with the drive assembly;
• the loading unit being configured and dimensioned for rotation about the longitudinal axis relative to the elongate body during attachment of the disposable loading unit to the surgical apparatus and detachment of the loading unit from the surgical apparatus, wherein rotation of the loading unit relative to the elongate body in a first direction facilitates disengagement of the locking mechanism from the drive assembly to permit movement of the drive assembly through the housing portion, and rotation of the loading unit relative to the elongate body in a second direction facilitates engagement of the locking mechanism with the drive assembly to inhibit movement of the drive assembly through the housing portion, the locking mechanism including a pivot member with first and second ends and a pivot point between the first and second ends.