Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes
First Claim
1. A staple cartridge for a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
- a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface are not co-planar;
a third surface extending generally between the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, an angle being defined between the third surface and at least one of the first or second tissue contacting surfaces; and
a plurality of first retention slots defined in the first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of second retention slots defined in the second tissue contacting surface, each retention slot configured for housing a staple therein.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.
261 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A staple cartridge for a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
-
a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface are not co-planar;
a third surface extending generally between the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, an angle being defined between the third surface and at least one of the first or second tissue contacting surfaces; and
a plurality of first retention slots defined in the first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of second retention slots defined in the second tissue contacting surface, each retention slot configured for housing a staple therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
-
a handle portion;
a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis;
a tool assembly at a distal end of the body portion, the tool assembly including a cartridge having;
a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface are not co-planar;
a third surface extending generally between the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, an angle being defined between the third surface and at least one of the first or second tissue contacting surfaces; and
a plurality of first retention slots defined in the first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of second retention slots defined in the second tissue contacting surface, each retention slot configured for housing a staple therein. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A staple cartridge for a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
-
a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface are not co-planar;
a third surface extending generally between the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface, the third surface being a non-planar surface; and
a plurality of first retention slots defined in the first tissue contacting surface and a plurality of second retention slots defined in the second tissue contacting surface, each retention slot configured for housing a staple therein. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification