SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH OUTER EDGE COMPRESSION FEATURES
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a body;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;
(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises;
(i) an anvil, and(ii) a lower jaw, wherein the anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw; and
(d) a staple cartridge coupled with the lower jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises;
(i) a deck facing the anvil,(ii) a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and(iii) at least one compressible feature extending toward the anvil, wherein the at least one compressible feature is positioned along an outer region of the deck, wherein the at least one compressible feature is configured to compress tissue against the anvil.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a staple cartridge. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector includes an anvil and a lower jaw. The anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw. The staple cartridge is coupled with the lower jaw. The staple cartridge includes a deck, a plurality of staples, and at least one compressible feature. The deck faces the anvil. The staples are positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck. The at least one compressible feature extends toward the anvil. The at least one compressible feature is positioned along an outer region of the deck. The at least one compressible feature is configured to compress tissue against the anvil.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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(a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis; (c) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises; (i) an anvil, and (ii) a lower jaw, wherein the anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw; and (d) a staple cartridge coupled with the lower jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises; (i) a deck facing the anvil, (ii) a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and (iii) at least one compressible feature extending toward the anvil, wherein the at least one compressible feature is positioned along an outer region of the deck, wherein the at least one compressible feature is configured to compress tissue against the anvil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge comprising:
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(a) a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body includes a cartridge deck, wherein the cartridge body further defines a plurality of staple openings passing through the cartridge deck, wherein the cartridge deck includes a first outermost edge and a second outermost edge, wherein the outermost edges extend longitudinally along a length of the cartridge deck, wherein the staple openings are positioned between the outermost edges; (b) a plurality of staples associated with the plurality of staple openings; (c) a first compressible bumper extending along the first outermost edge; and (d) a second compressible bumper extending along the second outermost edge; wherein the first and second compressible bumpers are configured to remain on the cartridge body after the staples are directed out of the staple openings. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of using a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
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(a) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises; (i) an anvil, (ii) a lower jaw, wherein the anvil is configured to move toward and away from the lower jaw, and (iii) a staple cartridge disposed in the lower jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises; (A) a plurality of staples, (B) a deck facing the anvil, wherein the staples are configured to pass through the deck, and (C) a pair of compressible features extending along outer edges of the deck; and (b) a firing member configured to advance through the end effector to drive the staple drivers toward the anvil, the method comprising; (a) positioning tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw; (b) moving the anvil toward the jaw to place the anvil a closed position, wherein moving the anvil toward the jaw causes the compressible features to compress the tissue against the anvil, wherein the compressible features compress in response to compressing the tissue against the anvil; and (c) advancing the firing member through the end effector, wherein advancement of the firing member moves the staples toward the anvil and severs the tissue, wherein the compressible features maintain tautness in the tissue as the firing member is advanced through the end effector. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification