CURVED END EFFECTOR FOR A STAPLING INSTRUMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A staple cartridge, comprising:
- a cartridge body, comprising;
a deck;
a plurality of first staple cavities arranged along a first curve, wherein said first curve is defined by a first radius of curvature, and wherein each said first staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of second staple cavities arranged along a second curve, wherein said second curve is defined by a second radius of curvature, wherein said first radius of curvature is different that second radius of curvature, and wherein each said second staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of staple drivers positioned within said first staple cavities and said second staple cavities, wherein each said staple driver is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;
a curved longitudinal passage configured to receive a driver for lifting said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position;
a plurality of staples positioned within said plurality of first staple cavities and said plurality of second staple cavities, wherein said staples are supported by said staple drivers, wherein each said staple comprises a base and at least one leg extending from said base, and wherein said legs of said staples are configured to extend above said deck when said staple drivers are in said unfired position; and
a compressible tissue thickness compensator positioned above said deck, wherein said legs of said staples extend into said tissue thickness compensator.
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Abstract
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler can comprise a cartridge deck and a plurality of staples at least partially positioned within the cartridge deck. In various embodiments, the staples can be supported by a support jaw of the surgical stapler and can comprise legs which can extend upwardly through apertures defined in the cartridge deck. The support jaw can comprise stationary staple drivers which can support the staples in curved rows as the staples are deformed by an anvil of the surgical stapler. In certain embodiments, the staple cartridge can further comprise a plurality of staple drivers which can be configured to support and eject the staples along curved staple rows.
1650 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A staple cartridge, comprising:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a deck; a plurality of first staple cavities arranged along a first curve, wherein said first curve is defined by a first radius of curvature, and wherein each said first staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; a plurality of second staple cavities arranged along a second curve, wherein said second curve is defined by a second radius of curvature, wherein said first radius of curvature is different that second radius of curvature, and wherein each said second staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; a plurality of staple drivers positioned within said first staple cavities and said second staple cavities, wherein each said staple driver is movable between an unfired position and a fired position; a curved longitudinal passage configured to receive a driver for lifting said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position; a plurality of staples positioned within said plurality of first staple cavities and said plurality of second staple cavities, wherein said staples are supported by said staple drivers, wherein each said staple comprises a base and at least one leg extending from said base, and wherein said legs of said staples are configured to extend above said deck when said staple drivers are in said unfired position; and a compressible tissue thickness compensator positioned above said deck, wherein said legs of said staples extend into said tissue thickness compensator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument, said end effector comprising:
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a support jaw, comprising; a frame; a curved longitudinal slot extending through at least a portion of said frame; a row of first stationary drivers extending from said frame and extending along a first side of said curved longitudinal slot, wherein each said first stationary driver is configured to support a staple, wherein each said first stationary driver is defined along a first driver axis, and wherein said first driver axes are not parallel to one another; a row of second stationary drivers extending from said frame and extending along a second side of said curved longitudinal slot, wherein each said second stationary driver is configured to support a staple, wherein each said second stationary driver is defined along a second driver axis, and wherein said second driver axes are not parallel to one another; and an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil jaw comprising; a tissue compression surface; and a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform the staples. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification