STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE DISTAL PORTION
First Claim
1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler comprises an anvil, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
- a cartridge body, comprising;
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck; and
a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;
a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and
a contact member positioned at said distal end of said cartridge body, wherein the anvil of the surgical stapler is configured to abut said contact member, wherein said contact member is configured to deflect when subjected to a force less than a collapse threshold, and wherein said contact member is configured to collapse when subjected to a force exceeding said collapse threshold.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler comprises an anvil, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a deck; and a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position; a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and a contact member positioned at said distal end of said cartridge body, wherein the anvil of the surgical stapler is configured to abut said contact member, wherein said contact member is configured to deflect when subjected to a force less than a collapse threshold, and wherein said contact member is configured to collapse when subjected to a force exceeding said collapse threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler comprises an anvil, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a deck; and a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position; a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and a contact member positioned at said distal end of said cartridge body, wherein the anvil of the surgical stapler is configured to abut said contact member, wherein said contact member is configured to deflect at a first rate when subjected to a force less than a threshold, and wherein said contact member is configured to deflect at a second rate when subjected to a force exceeding said threshold, wherein said second rate is larger than said first rate. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler comprises an anvil that clamps into a closed position, and wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
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a cartridge body, comprising; a proximal end; a distal end; a deck; and a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position; a tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and compliant means for limiting the downward movement of the anvil when the anvil is moved into a closed position and for collapsing downwardly when a force exceeding a limiting threshold has been applied to said compliant means by the anvil.
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Specification