US Patent 7819297 Surgical stapling apparatus with reprocessible handle assembly

A reusable surgical stapling apparatus that is configured for use with disposable loading units. Various embodiments include a first handle segment and a second handle segment that is detachably coupled to the first handle segment to form a handle housing. A firing assembly may be removably supported in the handle housing as a lift out removable unit for sterilization purposes. Various sterilization methods are disclosed.