Stapling end effector configured to compensate for an uneven gap between a first jaw and a second jaw
First Claim
1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler including an anvil, said staple cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck;
a longitudinal row of staple cavities; and
a base;
staples removably stored in said longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a longitudinal row of staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position to drive said staples toward the anvil; and
a firing system movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke to sequentially move said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position, wherein said longitudinal row of staple drivers comprises;
a first staple driver comprising a first bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a first support surface configured to drive a first said staple toward the anvil, wherein a first driver distance is defined between said first bottom drive surface and said first support surface, and wherein said first bottom drive surface is positioned a first support height distance from said base; and
a second staple driver comprising a second bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a second support surface configured to drive a second said staple toward the anvil, wherein a second driver distance is defined between said second bottom drive surface and said second support surface, wherein said second driver distance is different than said first driver distance, wherein said second bottom drive surface is positioned a second support height distance from said base, and wherein said first support height distance is different than said second support height distance prior to said staple firing stroke.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A staple cartridge disclosed herein comprises a cartridge body and staples removably stored therein. The staple cartridge further comprises a longitudinal row of staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position to drive the staples toward an anvil and a firing system movable toward a distal end of the cartridge body to sequentially move the staple drivers toward their fired positions. The staple drivers comprise a first staple driver comprising a first bottom drive surface and a first staple support surface, wherein a first driver distance is defined between the first bottom drive surface and the first staple support surface, and a second staple driver comprising a second bottom drive surface and a second staple support surface, wherein a second driver distance is defined between the second bottom drive surface and the second support surface which is different than the first driver distance.
5972 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler including an anvil, said staple cartridge comprising:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a deck; a longitudinal slot defined in said deck; a longitudinal row of staple cavities; and a base; staples removably stored in said longitudinal row of staple cavities; a longitudinal row of staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position to drive said staples toward the anvil; and a firing system movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke to sequentially move said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position, wherein said longitudinal row of staple drivers comprises; a first staple driver comprising a first bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a first support surface configured to drive a first said staple toward the anvil, wherein a first driver distance is defined between said first bottom drive surface and said first support surface, and wherein said first bottom drive surface is positioned a first support height distance from said base; and a second staple driver comprising a second bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a second support surface configured to drive a second said staple toward the anvil, wherein a second driver distance is defined between said second bottom drive surface and said second support surface, wherein said second driver distance is different than said first driver distance, wherein said second bottom drive surface is positioned a second support height distance from said base, and wherein said first support height distance is different than said second support height distance prior to said staple firing stroke. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler including an anvil, said staple cartridge comprising:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a deck; a longitudinal slot defined in said deck; a longitudinal row of staple cavities; and a base; staples removably stored in said longitudinal row of staple cavities; a longitudinal row of staple drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position to drive said staples toward the anvil; a firing system movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke to sequentially move said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position, wherein said longitudinal row of staple drivers comprises; a first staple driver comprising a first bottom drive surface, wherein said first bottom drive surface is positioned a first distance from said base; and a second staple driver comprising a second bottom drive surface, wherein said second bottom drive surface is positioned a second distance from said base, and wherein said first distance is different than said second distance prior to said staple firing stroke; and means for driving said staples to different distances relative to said deck.
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20. An end effector for use with a surgical system, said end effector comprising:
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a fastener cartridge, comprising; a distal end; a deck; a longitudinal row of fastener cavities; fasteners removably stored in said longitudinal row of fastener cavities; and a base; a forming jaw; a longitudinal row of fastener drivers movable between an unfired position and a fired position to drive said fasteners toward said forming jaw; and a firing system movable toward said distal end during a fastener firing stroke to sequentially move said fastener drivers between said unfired position and said fired position, wherein said longitudinal row of fastener drivers comprises; a first fastener driver comprising a first bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a first support surface configured to drive a first said fastener toward said forming jaw, wherein a first driver distance is defined between said first bottom drive surface and said first support surface, and wherein a first distance is defined between said base and said first bottom drive surface; and a second fastener driver comprising a second bottom drive surface configured to be driven by said firing system and a second support surface configured to drive a second said fastener toward the anvil, wherein a second driver distance is defined between said second bottom drive surface and said second support surface, wherein said second driver distance is different than said first driver distance, wherein a second distance is defined between said base and said second bottom drive surface, and wherein said first distance is different than said second distance.
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Specification