Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
DEMANDE OU BREVET VOLUMINEUX
LA PRESENTE PARTIE DE CETTE DEMANDE OU CE BREVET COMPREND
PLUS D'UN TOME.
CECI EST LE TOME 1 DE 2
CONTENANT LES PAGES 1 A 167
NOTE : Pour les tomes additionels, veuillez contacter le Bureau canadien des
brevets
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VOLUME
THIS IS VOLUME 1 OF 2
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NOTE: For additional volumes, please contact the Canadian Patent Office
NOM DU FICHIER / FILE NAME:
NOTE POUR LE TOME / VOLUME NOTE:
TITLE
ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FROM A
FASTENER CARTRIDGE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a national phase of PCT Application Serial
No.
PCT/US2014/014826, filed on February 5, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.
Patent
Application Serial No. 13/763,035, entitled ACTUATOR FOR RELEASING A TISSUE
THICKNESS COMPENSATOR FROM A FASTENER CARTRIDGE, filed on February 8,
2013, Patent No. 10,213,198.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various
embodiments, to surgical cutting and stapling instruments and staple
cartridges therefor
that are designed to cut and staple tissue.
SUMMARY
[0002a] In one embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge assembly
that
includes: a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities; a
plurality of
fasteners, wherein each fastener is removably positioned in a fastener cavity;
a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured relative to the cartridge
body;
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a connector; an actuator configured to overcome the connector when actuated;
and a firing
element configured to remove the fasteners from the fastener cavities during a
firing
stroke. The connector secures the tissue thickness compensator to the
cartridge body at a
location. The location is distal to at least one fastener cavity. The actuator
overcomes the
connector prior to the removal of the fasteners from the fastener cavities.
The firing
element is configured to actuate the actuator during the firing stroke.
[0002b] In another embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly, that
includes: a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities; a
plurality of
fasteners, wherein each fastener is removably positioned in a fastener cavity;
a tissue
thickness compensator releasably secured relative to the cartridge body; a
connector;
an actuator configured to overcome the connector when actuated; and a firing
element.
The connector secures the tissue thickness compensator to the cartridge body
at a
location. The location is distal to at least one fastener cavity. The actuator
overcomes the
connector prior to the removal of the fasteners from the fastener cavities,
wherein the
actuator comprises a slot extending from a proximal end of the actuator, and
wherein the
slot comprises a release stop. The firing element is configured to translate
along the slot
through the release stop, wherein the firing element is configured to move the
actuator
when the firing element pushes against the release stop.
[0002c] In another embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly for
use with a fastening instrument for fastening tissue, the fastener cartridge
assembly
including: a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities; a
plurality of
fasteners, wherein the fasteners are ejected from the fastener cavities during
a portion of a
firing stroke of the fastening instrument; compensation means for compensating
for
thickness variations within the tissue; attachment means for attaching the
compensation
means to the cartridge body; releasing means for releasing the compensation
means from
the cartridge body; and firing means for firing the fasteners from the
fastener cavities and
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for actuating the releasing means during the firing stroke. The compensation
means is
releasably attached to the cartridge body. The attachment means is positioned
distal to at
least one fastener cavity. The releasing means overcomes the attachment means
before
the portion of the firing stroke.
[0002d] In another embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly, that
includes: a cartridge body comprising a fastener cavity; a fastener removably
positioned in
the fastener cavity; compensation means for compensating, wherein the
compensation
means is releasably attached to the cartridge body; attachment means for
attaching the
compensation means to the cartridge body; and releasing means for releasing
the
compensation means from the cartridge body. The attachment means is positioned
distal
to the fastener cavity. The releasing means is actuated proximal to the
fastener cavity, the
releasing means extends past the fastener in the fastener cavity, and a firing
member is
configured to remove the fastener from the fastener cavity and actuate the
releasing
means during a firing stroke.
[0002e] In another embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly for
use with a fastening instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly including: a
cartridge
body; a plurality of fasteners; compensation means for compensating for
thickness
variations within the tissue; first attachment means; second attachment means;
releasing
means for releasing the compensation means; and ejection means for ejecting
the
fasteners from the fastener cavities and for actuating the releasing means.
The cartridge
body includes: a proximal end portion; a distal end portion; and a plurality
of fastener
cavities. The fasteners are ejected from the fastener cavities during a
portion of a firing
stroke of the fastening instrument. The compensation means is releasably
attached to the
cartridge body. The first attachment means is for attaching the compensation
means to
the proximal end portion of the cartridge body. The second attachment means is
for
attaching the compensation means to the distal end portion of the cartridge
body. The
releasing means is for releasing the compensation means from the cartridge
body by
overcoming the first attachment means and the second attachment means during
an initial
portion of the firing stroke.
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[0002f] In a further embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly, that
includes: a cartridge body, comprising: a plurality of fastener cavities; and
a slot; a plurality
of fasteners, wherein each fastener is removably positioned in a fastener
cavity;
a firing element configured to move along the slot; a tissue thickness
compensator
releasably secured to the cartridge body; a mount; and a cable extending
between the
firing element and the mount. The mount secures the tissue thickness
compensator to the
cartridge body, and the mount is positioned distal to at least one fastener of
the plurality of
fasteners, wherein movement of the firing element distally along the slot is
configured to
cause the cable to break the mount.
[0002g] In a further embodiment, there is provided a fastener cartridge
assembly, that
includes: a cartridge body comprising a fastener cavity; a fastener removably
positioned in
the fastener cavity; a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the
cartridge
body; a connector; an actuator; and a firing element. The connector secures
the tissue
thickness compensator to the cartridge body distal to the fastener cavity. The
actuator
extends distally past the fastener in the fastener cavity when the actuator is
in a pre-
actuated position. The firing element is configured to move along a slot in
the cartridge
body. The firing element is positioned to actuate the actuator at a position
proximal of the
fastener cavity. The actuator is arranged to break the connector when the
actuator is
shifted distally to an actuated position, and the firing element is arranged
to then fire the
fastener from the fastener cavity when the element moves distally along the
slot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] The features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of
attaining them,
will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood
by reference
to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in
conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0004] FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of a surgical stapling and
severing
instrument with a handle portion including a link triggered automatic
retraction and a
ratcheting manual retraction mechanism;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a right aft perspective view of the surgical stapling and
severing
instrument of FIG. 1 with a portion of an elongate shaft cut away and a right
half shell of a
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handle housing removed to expose an automatic end-of-firing travel retraction
mechanism
and a manual firing retraction mechanism;
[0006] FIG. 3 is a right aft perspective disassembled view of the handle
portion and an
elongate shaft of the surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a right side view in elevation of the partially disassembled
surgical
stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a right aft perspective view of the partially disassembled
surgical
stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with a closure mechanism closed and
clamped
and the side pawl firing mechanism completing a first stroke and with a manual
retraction
mechanism removed to expose a distal link of the linked rack that triggers
automatic
retraction of the firing mechanism;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a left side view in elevation of the partially disassembled
surgical
stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 4 in an initial state of end effector
open and anti-
backup mechanism engaged;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a left side detail in elevation of the disassembled surgical
stapling and
severing instrument of FIG. 1 immediately after the distal link has actuated
and locked
forward the anti-backup release lever, allowing the linked rack to retract;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a right disassembled perspective view of the idler and aft
gears and
manual retraction lever and ratcheting pawl of a manual retraction mechanism
of the
surgical stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 9 is a partially disassembled left side view in elevation of a
surgical stapling
and severing instrument of FIG. 1 with the anti-backup mechanism engaged to a
fully fired
linked rack that is disconnected from a combination tension/compression spring
prior to
actuation of the manual retraction lever of FIG. 8;
[0013] FIG. 10 is a partially disassembled left side view in elevation of the
surgical
stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 9 with hidden portions of the anti-
backup release
lever, aft gear, and manual firing release lever shown in phantom;
[0014] FIG. 11 is a partially disassembled left side view in elevation of the
surgical
stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 10 after actuation of the manual
firing release
lever has manually retracted the link rack;
[0015] FIG. 12 is a partially disassembled left side view in elevation of the
surgical
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stapling and severing instrument of FIG. 11 with the linked rack omitted
depicting the
manual firing release lever disengaging the anti-backup mechanism;
[0016] FIG. 13 is a right side view in elevation of an alternative anti-backup
release
mechanism with the linked rack in a retracted position and the anti-backup
release lever
proximally positioned with the anti-backup plate engaged to the firing rod;
[0017] FIG. 14 is a right detail side view in elevation of the aft gear,
automatic retraction
cam wheel and distal-most link of FIG. 13;
[0018] FIG. 15 is a right side view in elevation of an automatic release
mechanism after
a further firing stroke causes the automatic retraction cam wheel to distally
slide and lock
the anti-backup release lever, disengaging the anti-backup mechanism;
[0019] FIG. 16 is a left, front perspective view of an open staple applying
assembly with
a right half portion of a replaceable staple cartridge included in a staple
channel;
[0020] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the staple applying assembly
of FIG.
16 with a complete replaceable staple cartridge and an nonarticulating shaft
configuration;
[0021] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a plurality of staple drivers
positionable within a
cartridge body of a staple cartridge;
[0022] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a two-piece knife and firing bar ("E-
beam") of the
staple applying assembly of FIG. 16;
[0023] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a wedge sled of a staple cartridge of
a staple
applying assembly;
[0024] FIG. 21 is a left side view in elevation taken in longitudinal cross
section along a
centerline line 21-21 of the staple applying assembly of FIG. 16;
[0025] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the open staple applying assembly of
FIG. 16
without the replaceable staple cartridge and without a distal portion of a
staple channel;
[0026] FIG. 23 is a front view in elevation taken in cross section along line
23-23 of the
staple applying assembly of FIG. 16 depicting internal staple drivers of the
staple cartridge
and portions of the two-piece knife and firing bar;
[0027] FIG. 24 is a left side view in elevation taken generally along the
longitudinal axis
of line 24-24 of a closed staple applying assembly of FIG. 16 to include
center contact
points between the two-piece knife and wedge sled but also laterally offset to
show staples
and staple drivers within the staple cartridge;
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[0028] FIG. 25 is a left side detail view in elevation of the staple applying
assembly of
FIG. 24 with the two-piece knife retracted slightly more as typical for staple
cartridge
replacement;
[0029] FIG. 26 is a left side detail view in elevation of the staple applying
assembly of
FIG. 25 with the two-piece knife beginning to fire, corresponding to the
configuration
depicted in FIG. 24;
[0030] FIG. 27 is a left side cross-sectional view in elevation of the closed
staple
applying assembly of FIG. 24 after the two-piece knife and firing bar has
distally fired;
[0031] FIG. 28 is a left side cross-sectional view in elevation of the closed
staple
applying assembly of FIG. 27 after firing of the staple cartridge and
retraction of the two-
piece knife;
[0032] FIG. 29 is a left side cross-sectional detail view in elevation of the
staple applying
assembly of FIG. 28 with the two-piece knife allowed to drop into a lockout
position;
[0033] FIG. 29A is a partial, perspective view of a jaw of an end effector
assembly with
various elements removed therefrom according to various embodiments of the
present
disclosure, depicting a firing assembly in an unfired position, and further
depicting a sled
engaged with a release stop of an actuator;
[0034] FIG. 298 is a partial, perspective view of the jaw of FIG. 29A with
various
elements removed therefrom, depicting the firing assembly in a partially fired
position, and
further depicting the sled disengaged from the release stop of the actuator;
[0035] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument
including a shaft
and a detachable end effector;
[0036] FIG. 31 is a partial perspective view of the shaft and the end effector
of the
surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30;
[0037] FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of the end effector being
assembled to the
shaft of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30;
[0038] FIG. 33 is another partial perspective view of the end effector being
assembled to
the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30;
[0039] FIG. 34 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view illustrating the
end effector
uncoupled to the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30;
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[0040] FIG. 35 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view illustrating the
end effector
coupled to the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30. and
further illustrating a
slide collar in an open, unlocked position;
[0041] FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional elevational view illustrating the
end effector
coupled to the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 30. and
further illustrating
the slide collar in a closed, locked position;
[0042] FIG. 37 is an exploded view of the end effector of FIG. 30 illustrated
with
components removed;
[0043] FIG. 38 is an exploded view of the shaft of FIG. 30;
[0044] FIG. 39 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an anvil in a closed
position and a
staple cartridge comprising a rigid support portion and a compressible tissue
thickness
compensator illustrated with staples being moved from an unfired position to a
fired
position during a first sequence;
[0045] FIG. 40 is another cross-sectional view of the anvil and the staple
cartridge of
FIG. 39 illustrating the anvil in an open position after the firing sequence
has been
completed;
[0046] FIG. 41 is a partial detail view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 39
illustrating the
staples in an unfired position;
[0047] FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional elevational view of a staple cartridge
comprising a
rigid support portion and a compressible tissue thickness compensator
illustrating the
staples in an unfired position;
[0048] FIG. 43 is a detail view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 42;
[0049] FIG. 44 is an elevational view of an anvil in an open position and a
staple
cartridge comprising a rigid support portion and a compressible tissue
thickness
compensator illustrating the staples in an unfired position;
[0050] FIG. 45 is an elevational view of an anvil in a closed position and a
staple
cartridge comprising a rigid support portion and a compressible tissue
thickness
compensator illustrating the staples in an unfired position and tissue
captured between the
anvil and the tissue thickness compensator;
[0051] FIG. 46 is a detail view of the anvil and staple cartridge of FIG. 45;
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[0052] FIG. 47 is an elevational view of the anvil and staple cartridge of
FIG. 45
illustrating tissue having different thicknesses positioned between the anvil
and the staple
cartridge;
[0053] FIG. 48 is a detail view of the anvil and staple cartridge of FIG. 45
as illustrated in
FIG. 47;
[0054] FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a tissue thickness compensator which
is
compensating for different tissue thickness captured within different staples;
[0055] FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating a tissue thickness compensator
applying a
compressive pressure to one or more vessels that have been transected by a
staple line;
[0056] FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating tissue captured within a staple;
[0057] FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating thick tissue and a tissue thickness
compensator
captured within a staple;
[0058] FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating thin tissue and a tissue thickness
compensator
captured within a staple;
[0059] FIG. 54 is a diagram illustrating tissue having an intermediate
thickness and a
tissue thickness compensator captured within a staple;
[0060] FIG. 55 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a
surgical stapling
instrument in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0061] FIG. 56 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in
accordance with at
least one alternative embodiment;
[0062] FIG. 57 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector in
accordance with
another alternative embodiment;
[0063] FIG. 58 is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector
illustrated in a flexed
condition;
[0064] FIG. 59 is a partial cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG.
58 in a
released condition;
[0065] FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a staple cartridge
comprising
lateral retention members configured to hold a tissue thickness compensator to
a support
portion;
[0066] FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 60
being utilized
to staple tissue;
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[0067] FIG. 62 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge including a
cartridge body and
a tissue thickness compensator attached to the cartridge body by a plurality
of firable
attachment members;
[0068] FIG. 63 is an exploded view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62;
[0069] FIG. 64 is an elevation& view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62;
[0070] FIG. 65 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62
taken along a
cross-sectional line in FIG. 64 illustrating the firable attachment members in
an unfired
position;
[0071] FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 62
taken along the
cross-sectional line in FIG. 64 illustrating the firable attachment members in
a fired,
broken, position:
[0072] FIG. 67 is a perspective view of a tissue thickness compensator;
[0073] FIG. 68 is a perspective view of the tissue thickness compensator of
FIG. 167
being assembled to a staple cartridge;
[0074] FIG. 69 is an exploded view of the tissue thickness compensator and the
staple
cartridge of FIG. 68;
[0075] FIG. 70 is a detail view of a proximal end of a tissue thickness
compensator;
[0076] FIG. 71 is a partial elevational view of the tissue thickness
compensator of FIG.
70 assembled to a staple cartridge;
[0077] FIG. 72 is a plan view of the tissue thickness compensator and staple
cartridge of
FIG. 71;
[0078] FIG. 73 is a front view of a mount for holding a tissue thickness
compensator to a
staple cartridge;
[0079] FIG. 74 is a side view of the mount of FIG. 73:
[0080] FIG. 75 is a rear view of the mount of FIG. 73;
[0081] FIG. 76 is a bottom view of the mount of FIG. 73;
[0082] FIG. 77 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge
including a retention
pin configured to releasably hold a tissue thickness compensator to a
cartridge body of the
staple cartridge;
[0083] FIG. 77A is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the staple
cartridge of
FIG. 77 with portions thereof removed for the purposes of illustration;
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[0084] FIG. 78 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of
FIG. 77
illustrating the retention pin in a defeated condition;
[0085] FIG. 79 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the staple
cartridge of FIG.
77 also illustrating the retention pin in a defeated condition;
[0086] FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge
including a clamp
configured to releasably hold a tissue thickness compensator to a cartridge
body
illustrating the clamp in a closed condition:
[0087] FIG. 81 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of
FIG. 80
illustrating the clamp in an open condition;
[0088] FIG. 81A is a perspective view of a staple cartridge with a layer, such
as a tissue
thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, arranged thereon, wherein
the staple
cartridge is arranged relative to an end effector cutting blade, and wherein
remaining
portions of the end effector are removed for purposes of illustration;
[0089] FIG. 82 is a cross-sectional plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG.
81A, showing
a cutting blade for severing the distal end of the layer arranged in a distal
cavity in the
staple cartridge, wherein the cutting blade is undeployed, and wherein staples
are omitted
for purposes of clarity;
[0090] FIG. 83 is a ci oss-sectional plan view of the staple cartridge of FIG.
81A, wherein
the cutting blade for severing the distal end of the layer is deployed, and
wherein staples
are omitted for purposes of clarity;
[0091] FIG. 84 is a perspective view of a jaw of an end effector assembly
according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting a tissue thickness
compensator
secured to a cartridge body by a proximal connector and by a distal connector,
and further
depicting a firing assembly in an unfired position;
[0092] FIG. 85A is a partial, plan view of the jaw of FIG. 84, depicting the
actuator in a
pre-actuated position;
[0093] FIG. 85B is a partial, plan view of the jaw of FIG. 84, depicting the
actuator in an
actuated position;
[0094] FIG. 85C is a detail view of the jaw of FIG. 858;
[0095] FIG. 85D is an elevation view of the jaw of FIG. 84, depicting the
actuator in the
actuated position, and further depicting the proximal and distal connectors
broken;
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[0096] FIG. 86 is a partial, elevation view of the jaw of FIG. 84 with various
elements
removed therefrom, depicting a sled of the cartridge body engaged with a tab
of the
actuator of FIG. 85A;
[0097] FIG. 87 is a partial, elevation view of the jaw of FIG. 84 with various
elements
removed therefrom, depicting the sled of the cartridge body disengaged from
the tab of the
actuator;
[0098] FIG. 87A is a partial, plan view of a jaw of an end effector assembly
according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting a firing bar of a
firing assembly
against a release stop of an actuator;
[0099] FIG. 878 is a partial, plan view of the jaw of FIG. 87A, depicting the
firing bar of
the firing assembly extending through the release stop of the actuator;
[0100] FIG. 88 is a perspective view of a jaw of an end effector assembly
according to
various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting a tissue thickness
compensator
secured to a cartridge body, and further depicting a firing assembly in an
unfired position;
[0101] FIG. 89 is a partial, elevation view of the jaw of FIG. 88 with various
elements
shown in transparency, depicting an actuator extending through the jaw, and
further
depicting the firing assembly in an unfired position;
[0102] FIG. 90 is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge which
includes a
retention pin configured to releasably hold a tissue thickness compensator to
a cartridge
body illustrating the retention pin in an activated condition;
[0103] FIG. 91 is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of
FIG. 90
illustrating the retention pin in a deactivated condition;
[0104] FIG. 92 is a perspective view of an actuator of the staple cartridge of
FIG. 90
which is configured to deactivate the retention pin;
[0105] FIG. 93A is a perspective view of a fastener cartridge assembly of an
end effector
assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting
a tissue
thickness compensator released from a cartridge body of the fastener cartridge
assembly;
[0106] FIG. 938 is a perspective view of the fastener cartridge assembly of
FIG. 93A,
depicting the tissue thickness compensator secured to the cartridge body of
the staple
cartridge assembly;
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[0107] FIG. 93C is an elevational view of the fastener cartridge assembly of
FIG. 93A
with various elements removed therefrom, depicting a firing assembly in a pre-
fired
position;
[0108] FIG. 93D is an elevational view of the fastener cartridge assembly of
FIG. 93A
with various elements removed therefrom, depicting the firing assembly in a
partially-fired
position;
[0109] FIG. 94 is a partial, perspective view of a fastener cartridge assembly
of an end
effector assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
depicting a
tissue thickness compensator released from a cartridge body of the fastener
cartridge
assembly;
[0110] FIG. 95 is a partial, perspective view of a fastener cartridge assembly
of an end
effector assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure,
depicting a
tissue thickness compensator released from a cartridge body of the fastener
cartridge
assembly;
[0111] FIG. 96 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the fastener cartridge
assembly of
FIG. 95, depicting a mount of the tissue thickness compensator held in a
bridge of the
cartridge body;
[0112] FIG. 97 is a perspective view of a fastener cartridge assembly of an
end effectoi
assembly according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting
a tissue
thickness compensator released from a cartridge body of the fastener cartridge
assembly;
[0113] FIG. 98 is a perspective view of the fastener cartridge assembly of
FIG. 97,
depicting the tissue thickness compensator secured to the cartridge body of
the fastener
cartridge assembly;
[0114] FIG. 99 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the end effector
assembly of
FIG. 97, depicting the tissue thickness compensator secured to the cartridge
body of the
fastener cartridge assembly, and further depicting the end effector in an
unclamped
position;
[0115] FIG. 100 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the end effector
assembly of
FIG. 97, depicting the tissue thickness compensator unsecured to the cartridge
body of the
fastener cartridge assembly, and further depicting the end effector assembly
in a clamped
position;
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[0116] FIG. 101 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge applicator
assembly
comprising an upper tissue thickness compensator including a plurality of
retention
features extending therefrom and a staple cartridge comprising a lower tissue
thickness
compensator;
[0117] FIG. 102 is an elevational view of the staple cartridge applicator
assembly of FIG.
101 positioned within a staple cartridge channel and an anvil being closed
onto the staple
cartridge applicator assembly;
[0118] FIG. 103 is an elevational view of the anvil of FIG. 102 in a re-opened
position
and the staple cartridge applicator of FIG. 101 being removed from the end
effector;
[0119] FIG. 104 is a cross-sectional view of tissue positioned intermediate
the upper
tissue thickness compensator and the lower tissue thickness compensator of
FIG. 101;
[0120] FIG. 105 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the upper tissue
thickness
compensator and the lower tissue thickness compensator stapled to the tissue
and
severed by a cutting member;
[0121] FIG. 106 is a perspective view of staple cartridge applicator assembly
comprising
an upper tissue thickness compensator configured to be attached to an anvil in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0122] FIG. 108A is an elevational view of the staple cartridge applicator
assembly of
FIG. 106 positioned within a staple cartridge channel and an anvil being moved
toward the
upper tissue thickness compensator;
[0123] FIG. 106B illustrates the staple cartridge applicator of FIG. 106 being
removed
from the end effector after the upper tissue thickness compensator has been
engaged with
the anvil;
[0124] FIG. 107 is a cross-sectional end view of the anvil being moved toward
the upper
tissue thickness compensator of FIG. 106;
[0125] FIG. 108 is a cross-sectional end view of the anvil engaged with the
upper tissue
thickness compensator;
[0126] FIG. 109 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge having a piece of
buttress
material releasably retained thereto in accordance with one non-limiting
embodiment of the
present invention;
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[0127] FIG. 110 is an exploded, perspective view of the staple cartridge and
the piece of
buttress material of FIG. 109, wherein the piece of buttress material includes
a plurality of
members extending therefrom;
[0128] FIG. 111 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 111-111 in FIG. 109
illustrating
the members of FIG. 110 engaged with staple cavities in accordance with one
non-limiting
embodiment of the present invention;
[0129] FIG. 112 is a cross-sectional view of a piece of buttress material
including
members engaged with staple cavities of a staple cartridge in accordance with
one non-
limiting embodiment of the present invention;
[0130] FIG. 113 is an exploded view of FIG. 112 illustrating the members
separated from
the staple cavities of the staple cartridge in accordance with one non-
limiting embodiment
of the present invention;
[0131] FIG. 114 is a partial, perspective view of a support portion of a
staple cartridge
comprising detachable and/or displaceable staple leg guides;
[0132] FIG. 115 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of
FIG. 114
illustrating staples being deployed from the staple cartridge;
[0133] FIG. 116 is a detail view of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 114 after
the staple
cartridge has been fired;
[0134] FIG. 117 is a partial, perspective view of a cartridge body, a shell,
and a tissue
thickness compensator according to various embodiments to the present
disclosure,
depicting projections extending from the cartridge body;
[0135] FIG. 118 is a partial, perspective view of a cartridge body, a shell,
and a tissue
thickness compensator according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure,
depicting projections extending from the shell;
[0136] FIG. 119 is a partial. cross-sectional view of an end effector assembly
according
to various embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting a staple
positioned in a staple
cavity of a cartridge body of the end effector assembly, and further depicting
the staple in
an unformed configuration;
[0137] FIG. 120 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the end effector
assembly of FIG.
119, depicting the staple ejected from the staple cavity, and further
depicting the staple in
a formed configuration:
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[0138] FIG. 121 is perspective view of a staple and a lock according to
various
embodiments of the present disclosure, depicting the lock in a locked
configuration;
[0139] FIG. 122 is a perspective view of the staple and the lock of FIG. 121,
depicting
the lock in the locked configuration;
[0140] FIG. 123 is a perspective view of the staple and the lock of FIG. 121,
depicting
the lock in a pre-fired position in a staple cavity, and further depicting the
lock in the locked
configuration:
[0141] FIG. 124 is a perspective view of the staple and lock of FIG. 121,
depicting the
lock in a fired position in the staple cavity, and further depicting the lock
in an unlocked
configuration;
[0142] FIG. 125 is a perspective view of a fastener cartridge assembly of an
end effector
assembly according to various embodiments to the present disclosure, depicting
locks
extending from lock cavities in a cartridge body of the fastener cartridge
assembly;
[0143] FIG. 126 is a cross-sectional view of a lock of FIG. 125, depicting the
lock in an
unlocked configuration and a connector unsecured to the lock;
[0144] FIG. 126A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the fastener cartridge
assembly of
FIG. 125, depicting the cartridge body, a connector, a tissue thickness
compensator, and a
lock in a partially assembled position;
[0145] FIG. 127 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the fastener cartridge
assembly of
FIG. 125, depicting the lock in a locked configuration, depicting an anvil in
a clamped
position, and depicting a driver key in an unfired position;
[0146] FIG. 128 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the fastener cartridge
assembly of
FIG. 125, depicting the lock in a locked configuration, depicting the anvil in
the clamped
position, and further depicting the driver key in a partially-fired position;
[0147] FIG. 129 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the fastener cartridge
assembly of
FIG. 125, depicting the lock in the unlocked configuration, depicting the
anvil in the
clamped position, and further depicting the driver key in the fired position:
[0148] FIG. 130 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of illustrating a
firing member
in a partially-fired position;
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[0149] FIG. 131 is a cross-sectional view of the end effector of FIG. 130
illustrating the
support portion being moved away from the partially-implanted tissue thickness
compensator;
[0150] FIG. 132 is partial cut-away view of a staple cartridge comprising
staple drivers
having different heights in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0151] FIG. 133 is a diagram illustrating the staple drivers of FIG. 132 and
staples having
different unfired heights supported thereon;
[0152] FIG. 134 is a cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge comprising a
tissue
thickness compensator and a support portion in accordance with at least one
embodiment;
[0153] FIG. 135 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position;
[0154] FIG. 136 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0155] FIG. 137 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0156] FIG. 138 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0157] FIG. 139 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0158] FIG. 140 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0159] FIG. 141 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0160] FIG. 142 is a detail view of a region surrounding a tip of the staple
of FIG. 141;
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[0161] FIG. 143 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0162] FIG. 144 is a detail view of a region surrounding a tip of the staple
of FIG. 143;
[0163] FIG. 145 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator, a
staple guide layer, and a staple in an unfired position in accordance with at
least one
alternative embodiment;
[0164] FIG. 146 is a perspective view of a staple guide layer and a plurality
of staples in
an unfired position in accordance with at least one alternative embodiment;
[0165] FIG. 147 is an exploded view of a tissue thickness compensator and a
staple
cartridge body;
[0166] FIG. 148 is an elevational view of a disposable loading unit including
a pivotable
jaw configured to support a staple cartridge;
[0167] FIG. 149 is a perspective view of a tissue thickness compensator
applicator
positioned within an effector of a disposable loading unit;
[0168] FIG. 150 is a top perspective view of the tissue thickness compensator
applicator
of FIG. 149;
[0169] FIG. 151 is a bottom perspective view of the tissue thickness
compensator
applicator of FIG. 149;
[0170] FIG. 152 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical
stapling
instrument comprising staple drivers having different heights and a contoured
deck surface
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0171] FIG. 153 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical
stapling
instrument comprising staple drivers having different heights and a stepped
deck surface
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0172] FIG. 154 is a diagram illustrating a tissue thickness compensator
comprising a
varying thickness, staple drivers having different heights, and staples having
different
unformed heights;
[0173] FIG. 155 is a diagram illustrating the staples and the tissue thickness
compensator of FIG. 154 implanted to tissue;
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[0174] FIG. 156 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tissue thickness
compensator
attached to a staple cartridge body;
[0175] FIG. 157 is a partial cross-sectional view of a the tissue thickness
compensator
and the staple cartridge body of FIG. 156;
[0176] FIG. 158 is a partial exploded view of the tissue thickness compensator
of FIG.
156;
[0177] FIG. 159 is a partial exploded view of a tissue thickness compensator,
a staple
cartridge body, and a firing member;
[0178] FIG. 160 is a partial elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 159;
[0179] FIG. 161 is a bottom view of a staple cartridge;
[0180] FIG. 162 is a detail bottom view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 161;
[0181] FIG. 163 is an exploded view of a staple cartridge illustrating a
staple driver
arrangement;
[0182] FIG. 164 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer attached
to a
staple cartridge and with a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator,
arranged
intermediate the retainer and the staple cartridge, wherein the retainer,
layer, and staple
cartridge are arranged relative to a surgical stapler, and wherein a staple
cartridge channel
is removed for purposes of illustration;
[0183] FIG. 165 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 164;
[0184] FIG. 166 is a plan view of the retainer, layer, and staple cartridge of
FIG. 164;
[0185] FIG. 167 is a cross-sectional view of the retainer, layer, and staple
cartridge of
FIG. 164, wherein tips of staples extend from staple cavities in the staple
cartridge and into
the layer;
[0186] FIG. 168 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer, wherein
the
retainer includes moveable cam portions and locking tabs;
[0187] FIG. 169 is a perspective view of the retainer of FIG. 168 attached to
a staple
cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge and retainer are positioned for
insertion into a staple
cartridge channel of an end effector of a surgical stapler;
[0188] FIG. 170 is a plan view of the retainer of FIG. 168 positioned, but not
fully
inserted, into a cartridge channel of the end effector of the surgical
stapler;
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[0189] FIG. 171 is a cross-sectional end view of the retainer of FIG. 168
positioned, but
not fully inserted, into the staple cartridge channel of FIG. 170;
[0190] FIG. 172 is a plan view of the retainer of FIG. 168 fully inserted in
the staple
cartridge channel of FIG. 170;
[0191] FIG. 173 is a cross-sectional end view of the retainer of FIG. 168
fully inserted in
the staple cartridge channel of FIG. 170, wherein the retainer is unlocked and
is being
removed from the staple cartridge;
[0192] FIG. 174 is a plan view of an end effector insert in accordance with at
least one
embodiment;
[0193] FIG. 175 is an elevational view of the end effector insert of FIG. 174;
[0194] FIG. 176 is a perspective view of the end effector insert of FIG. 174;
[0195] FIG. 177 is a partial perspective view of the end effector insert of
FIG. 174
depicting the end effector insert engaging the anvil of the end effector of a
surgical
instrument;
[0196] FIG. 178 is a partial perspective view of the end effector insert of
FIG. 174
depicting the end effector insert engaging the staple cartridge of the end
effector of a
surgical instrument;
[0197] FIG. 179 is an elevational view of the end effector insei t of FIG. 174
depicting the
end effector insert engaging the end effector of a surgical instrument;
[0198] FIG. 180 is an elevational view of the end effector insert of FIG. 174
positioned in
the end effector of a surgical instrument;
[0199] FIG. 181 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a staple
cartridge
assembly that includes a staple-cartridge layer and an anvil-attachable layer
positioned
relative to a staple cartridge;
[0200] FIG. 182 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge assembly
of FIG.
181, wherein the anvil-attachable layer is fastened to the staple cartridge;
[0201] FIG. 183 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a staple
cartridge
assembly that includes a staple-cartridge layer and an anvil-attachable layer
positioned
relative to a staple cartridge, wherein a proximal end portion of the anvil-
attachable layer is
attached to attachment features of the staple cartridge by an adhesive or by a
weld, and
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wherein a portion of the anvil-attachable layer is shown as being transparent
for purposes
of illustration;
[0202] FIG. 184 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge assembly
of FIG.
183, wherein a corner of the proximal end portion of the anvil-attachable
layer is shown
detached and lifted away from the staple cartridge;
[0203] FIG. 185 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a staple
cartridge
assembly, that includes a staple cartridge layer and an anvil-attachable layer
positioned
relative to a staple cartridge, wherein the anvil-attachable layer is attached
to the staple
cartridge layer;
[0204] FIG. 186 is a detail view of the staple cartridge layer of FIG. 185 and
the anvil-
attachable layer attached thereto;
[0205] FIG. 187 is a partial plan view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer;
[0206] FIG. 188 is a partial plan view of the anvil-attachable layer of FIG.
187 being cut
by a cutting blade;
[0207] FIG. 189 is a plan view of a tissue compensator of a sleeve in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0208] FIG. 190 is a perspective view of the tissue compensator of FIG. 189;
[0209] FIG. 191 is an elevational view of the tissue compensator of FIG. 189;
[0210] FIG. 192 is a perspective view of a tissue thickness compensator;
[0211] FIG. 193 is a perspective view of the tissue thickness compensator of
FIG. 192
attached to a staple cartridge;
[0212] FIG. 194 is a detail view of one tissue thickness compensator of FIG.
192 at least
partially overlapped with another tissue thickness compensator of FIG. 192;
[0213] FIG. 195 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge including a tissue
thickness
compensator attached thereto;
[0214] FIG. 196 is a detail view of one tissue thickness compensator of FIG.
195 at least
partially overlapped with another tissue thickness compensator of FIG. 195;
[0215] FIG. 197 is an exploded view of a staple cartridge including a tissue
thickness
compensator including a plurality of layers:
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[0216] FIG. 198 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating a tissue thickness
compensator
of FIG. 197 implanted on one side of patient tissue and another tissue
thickness
compensator of FIG. 197 implanted on the other side of the tissue:
[0217] FIG. 199 is an exploded perspective view of an end effector of a
stapling
instrument comprising a staple cartridge and a tissue thickness compensator
according to
various embodiments;
[0218] FIG. 200 is a cross sectional view of the tissue thickness compensator
in FIG.
199 according to various embodiments;
[0219] FIG. 201 is a top view of a tissue thickness compensator including a
plurality of
circular pieces according to various embodiments;
[0220] FIG. 202 is a top view of a tissue thickness compensator including a
plurality of
circular pieces according to various embodiments;
[0221] FIG. 202A is a cross sectional view of a tissue thickness compensator
according
to various embodiments;
[0222] FIG. 203 is a top view of a tissue thickness compensator according to
various
embodiments;
[0223] FIG. 204 is a top view of a tissue thickness compensator including a
plurality of
hexagonal pieces according to various embodiments;
[0224] FIG. 205 is a top view of a fastened tissue thickness compensator
including a
plurality of pieces according to various embodiments;
[0225] FIG. 206 is a top view of a tissue thickness compensator including a
plurality of
slits according to various embodiments;
[0226] FIG. 207A is an exploded view of a staple cartridge and a layer in
accordance
with at least one embodiment;
[0227] FIG. 207B is a cross-sectional view of a layer and tissue T captured
between a
staple cartridge and an anvil in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0228] FIG. 207C is a perspective view of a layer comprising pillar-shaped
cleats in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0229] FIG. 208 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 207C:
[0230] FIG. 209 is a perspective view of a layer comprising linear protrusions
in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
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[0231] FIG. 210 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 209;
[0232] FIG. 211 is a perspective view of a layer comprising dome-shaped
protrusions in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0233] FIG. 212 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 211;
[0234] FIG. 213 is a perspective view of a layer comprising linear depressions
in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0235] FIG. 214 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 213;
[0236] FIG. 215 is a perspective view of a layer comprising linear protrusions
in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0237] FIG. 216 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 215;
[0238] FIG. 217 is a perspective view of a layer comprising linear protrusions
in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0239] FIG. 218 is a perspective view of a layer comprising cone-shaped
protrusions in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0240] FIG. 219 is a perspective view of a layer comprising pyramid-shaped
protrusions
in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0241] FIG. 220 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 219 in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0242] FIG. 221 is a perspective view of a layer in accordance with at least
one
embodiment;
[0243] FIG. 222 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 221;
[0244] FIG. 223 is a perspective view of a layer comprising depressions in
accordance
with at least one embodiment;
[0245] FIG. 224 is a cross-sectional view of the layer in FIG. 223;
[0246] FIG. 224A is a cross-sectional view of a layer comprising portions with
reduced
thickness and tissue T captured between an anvil comprising a plurality of
staple forming
pockets and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0247] FIG. 224B is a cross-sectional view of a layer comprising a plurality
of protrusions
and tissue T captured between an anvil comprising a plurality of staple
forming pockets
and a staple cartridge in accordance with at least one embodiment;
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[0248] FIG. 225 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a layer, such as a
tissue
thickness compensator, secured to an anvil of an end effector of a surgical
instrument in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0249] FIG. 226 is a cross-sectional view of the layer of FIG. 225 secured to
the anvil;
[0250] FIG. 227 is a cross-sectional view of the layer of FIG. 225;
[0251] FIG. 228 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer for use
with a
staple cartridge;
[0252] FIG. 229 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge assembly that
includes the
retainer of FIG. 228 engaged with a staple cartridge and an anvil-attachable
layer;
[0253] FIG. 230 is a plan view of the staple cartridge assembly of FIG. 229;
[0254] FIG. 231 is a cross-sectional end view of the staple cartridge assembly
of FIG.
229, wherein the staple cartridge assembly is inserted into a staple cartridge
channel of an
end effector arid an anvil of the end effector is positioned relative thereto;
[0255] FIG. 232 is a cross-sectional end view of the staple cartridge assembly
and end
effector shown in FIG. 231, wherein the anvil is pressed against the anvil-
attachable layer
and the retainer;
[0256] FIG. 233 is a cross-sectional plan view of the staple cartridge
assembly and end
effector shown in FIG. 231, wherein the anvil has been lifted from the
retainer, removing
the attached anvil-attachable layer from the retainer;
[0257] FIG. 234 is a cross-sectional plan view of the end effector shown in
FIG. 231,
wherein the anvil-attachable layer is attached to the anvil and the retainer
has been
removed;
[0258] FIG. 235 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0259] FIG. 236 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0260] FIG. 237 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer in
accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0261] FIG. 238 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer with
deployable attachment features, wherein the deployable attachment features are
in an
undeployed configuration;
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[0262] FIG. 239 is a perspective view of the anvil-attachable layer of FIG.
238, wherein
the deployable attachment features are shown in a deployed configuration;
[0263] FIG. 240 is a cross-sectional plan view of the anvil-attachable layer
of FIG. 238
positioned relative to an anvil of an end effector, wherein the deployable
attachment
features are deployed in a slot of the anvil;
[0264] FIG. 241 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an anvil-attachable
layer with
deployable attachment features, wherein the deployable attachment features are
in an
undeployed configuration;
[0265] FIG. 242 is a perspective view of the anvil-attachable layer of FIG.
241, wherein
the deployable attachment features are shown in a deployed configuration;
[0266] FIG. 243 is a cross-sectional plan view of the anvil-attachable layer
of FIG. 241
positioned relative to an anvil of an end effector, wherein the deployable
attachment
features are deployed in a slot of the anvil;
[0267] FIG. 244 is an exploded perspective view of an anvil and a tissue
thickness
compensator in accordance with at least one embodiment;
[0268] FIG. 245 is a cross-sectional plan view of an anvil comprising a
plurality of staple
forming pockets and an anvil-attachable layer, such as a tissue thickness
compensator,
comprising a plurality of capsules aligned with the forming pockets in
accordance with at
least one embodiment;
[0269] FIG. 246 is a detail view of the capsules of the anvil-attachable layer
of FIG. 245;
[0270] FIG. 247 is a diagram illustrating the anvil and the anvil-attachable
layer of FIG.
245 positioned relative to tissue which is to be stapled by staples from a
staple cartridge
positioned on the opposite side of the tissue;
[0271] FIG. 248 is a diagram illustrating the anvil of FIG. 245 moved toward
the staple
cartridge of FIG. 247 and staples partially fired from the staple cartridge;
[0272] FIG. 249 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an anvil-
attachable layer
arranged relative to an anvil and patient tissue, wherein staples of a staple
cartridge are
fired through the layer and the patient tissue;
[0273] FIG. 250 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an anvil-
attachable layer
positioned relative to an anvil and patient tissue, wherein staples of a
staple cartridge are
fired through the layer and the patient tissue;
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[0274] FIG. 251 illustrates a retainer assembly being inserted into a surgical
instrument,
wherein the surgical instrument comprises an anvil and a staple cartridge
channel, and
wherein a portion of the insertion tool is removed for the purposes of
illustration;
[0275] FIG. 252 illustrates the retainer assembly of FIG. 251 being inserted
into the
surgical instrument, wherein a portion of the insertion tool is removed for
the purposes of
illustration;
[0276] FIG. 253 illustrates the insertion tool of FIG. 251 being moved
relative to the
retainer to engage the staple cartridge in the staple cartridge channel and to
engage an
anvil-attachable layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, with the
anvil, wherein a
portion of the insertion tool is removed for the purposes of illustration:
[0277] FIG. 254 illustrates the insertion tool of FIG. 251 being moved
relative to the
retainer to disengage the retainer from the anvil-attachable layer and from
the staple
cartridge, wherein a portion of the insertion tool is removed for the purposes
of illustration;
[0278] FIG. 255 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer engaged
with a
staple cartridge, wherein an anvil-attachable layer having deployable
attachment features
engaged with the retainer, and wherein the retainer is positioned for
insertion into an end
effector;
[0279] FIG. 256 is a pei spective view or the retainer of FIG. 255;
[0280] FIG. 257 is an elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 255;
[0281] FIG. 258 is an elevational view of the retainer, staple cartridge and
anvil-
attachable layer of FIG. 255 inserted into an end effector, wherein the
deployable
attachment features of the anvil-attachable layer are deployed, and wherein
portions of the
anvil and the anvil-attachable layer are removed for purposes of illustration;
[0282] FIG. 259 is an elevational view of an embodiment of a retainer inserted
in an end
effector, wherein an anvil-attachable layer with deployable attachment
features is arranged
on the retainer, and wherein portions of the retainer, the anvil-attachable
layer, and the
anvil are removed for purposes of illustration;
[0283] FIG. 260 is an elevational view of the retainer of FIG. 259, wherein
the retainer
has deployed the deployable attachment features of the anvil-attachable layer,
and
wherein portions of the retainer, the anvil-attachable layer, and the anvil
are removed for
purposes of illustration;
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[0284] FIG. 261 is a detail elevational view of the retainer, anvil-attachable
layer, and
anvil of FIG. 259, wherein the deployable attachment features are not
deployed, and
wherein portions of the retainer, anvil-attachable layer, and anvil are
removed for purposes
of illustration;
[0285] FIG. 262 is a detail elevational view of the retainer, anvil-attachable
layer, and
anvil of FIG. 259, wherein the deployable attachment features are deployed
into a slot in
the anvil, and wherein portions of the retainer, anvil-attachable layer, and
anvil are
removed for purposes of illustration;
[0286] FIG. 263 illustrates a tissue thickness compensator comprising a
flowable
attachment portion according to certain non-limiting embodiments;
[0287] FIG. 264 illustrates a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate in an
unstressed
position aligned with a slot in the staple cartridge according to certain non-
limiting
embodiments;
[0288] FIG. 265 illustrates the pressure sensitive adhesive laminate in FIG.
264
releasably attached to a staple cartridge according to certain non-limiting
embodiments;
[0289] FIG. 266 illustrates a tissue thickness compensator comprising a
flowable
attachment portion according to certain non-limiting embodiments:
[0290] FIG. 267 illustrates a pi essure sensitive adhesive laminate in an
unstressed
position aligned with staple cavities in the staple cartridge according to
certain non-limiting
embodiments;
[0291] FIG. 268 illustrates the pressure sensitive adhesive laminate in FIG.
267
releasably attached to a staple cartridge according to certain non-limiting
embodiments;
[0292] FIGS. 269-273 illustrate a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate
comprising an
adhesive tab according to certain non-limiting embodiments;
[0293] FIGS. 274-279 illustrate a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate
comprising an
adhesive tab according to certain non-limiting embodiments;
[0294] FIGS. 280-283 illustrate a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate
comprising tabs
to releasably attach to an anvil according to certain non-limiting
embodiments:
[0295] FIGS. 284-288 illustrate a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate
releasably
attached to an anvil using an applicator according to certain non-limiting
embodiments;
24
[0296] FIGS. 289-292 illustrate a pressure sensitive adhesive laminate
releasably
attached to an anvil according to certain non-limiting embodiments;
[0297] FIG. 293 is a perspective view of an end effector of a surgical
stapling instrument
including an implantable transition portion extending from the anvil and an
implantable
transition portion extending from the staple cartridge; and
[0298] FIG. 294 is a diagram depicting tissue positioned between the anvil and
the
staple cartridge of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 293.
[0299] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts
throughout the
several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain
embodiments of the
invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as
limiting the
scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0300] The Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent
Applications
identified below:
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,311, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
WITH RECONFIGURABLE SHAFT SEGMENTS, Publication No. 2012/0080496;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,340, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE
CARTRIDGES SUPPORTING NON-LINEARLY ARRANGED STAPLES AND SURGICAL
STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH COMMON STAPLE-FORMING POCKETS, Publication
No. 2012/0080482;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,327, entitled JAW CLOSURE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, Publication No. 2012/0080499;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,351, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND
FASTENING INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FASTENER
DEPLOYMENT AND TISSUE CUTTING SYSTEMS, Publication No. 2012/0080502;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,338, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER
CARTRIDGE HAVING A NON-UNIFORM ARRANGEMENT, Publication No.
201210080481;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,369, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER
CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SUPPORT RETAINER, Publication No. 2012/0080344;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,312, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER
CARTRIDGE COMPRISING MULTIPLE LAYERS, Publication No. 2012/0080479;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,377, entitled SELECTIVELY
ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, Publication No. 2012/0080334;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,339, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING
INSTRUMENT WITH COMPACT ARTICULATION CONTROL ARRANGEMENT,
Publication No. 2012/0080500;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,360, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING
INSTRUMENT WITH A VARIABLE STAPLE FORMING SYSTEM, Publication No.
201210080484;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,322, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING
INSTRUMENT WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STAPLE CARTRIDGE ARRANGEMENTS,
Publication No. 2012/0080501;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,350, entitled SURGICAL STAPLE
CARTRIDGES WITH DETACHABLE SUPPORT STRUCTURES AND SURGICAL
STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SYSTEMS FOR PREVENTING ACTUATION
MOTIONS WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS NOT PRESENT, Publication No. 2012/0080478;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,383, entitled IMPLANTABLE FASTENER
CARTRIDGE COMPRISING BIOABSORBABLE LAYERS, Publication No. 2012/0080345;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,389, entitled COMPRESSIBLE
FASTENER CARTRIDGE, Publication No. 2012/0080335;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,345, entitled FASTENERS SUPPORTED
BY A FASTENER CARTRIDGE SUPPORT, Publication No. 2012/0080483;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,306, entitled COLLAPSIBLE FASTENER
CARTRIDGE, Publication No. 2012/0080332;
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,318, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM
COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONNECTED RETENTION MATRIX ELEMENTS,
Publication No. 2012/0080480;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,330, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM
COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX, Publication No.
201210080503;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,361, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM
COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX, Publication No. 2012/0080333;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,367, entitled FASTENING INSTRUMENT
FOR DEPLOYING A FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX,
Publication No. 2012/0080485;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,388, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM
COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND A COVER, Publication No. 2012/0080487;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/894,376, entitled FASTENER SYSTEM
COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FASTENER CARTRIDGES, Publication No.
201210080486;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,865, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER
ANVIL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FORMING POCKETS, now U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2012/0080488;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,936, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER, Publication No. 2012/0080339;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,954, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A VARIABLE THICKNESS COMPRESSIBLE PORTION, Publication No.
201210080340;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,856, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION
THEREOF, Publication No. 2012/0080336;
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,928, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING DETACHABLE PORTIONS, Publication No.
201210080490;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,891, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR FOR A SURGICAL STAPLER COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE ANVIL,
Publication No. 2012/0080489;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,948, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING AN ADJUSTABLE DISTAL PORTION, Publication No. 2012/0083836;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,907, entitled COMPRESSIBLE STAPLE
CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY, Publication No. 2012/0080338;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,861, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING PORTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT PROPERTIES,
Publication No. 2012/0080337;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,869, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
LOADING ASSEMBLY, Publication No. 2012/0160721;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,917, entitled COMPRESSIBLE STAPLE
CARTRIDGE COMPRISING ALIGNMENT MEMBERS, Publication No. 2012/0083834;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,873, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A RELEASABLE PORTION, Publication No. 2012/0083833;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,938, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING COMPRESSIBLE DISTORTION RESISTANT COMPONENTS, Publication
No. 2012/0080491;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/097,924, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR, Publication No. 2012/0083835;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/242,029, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH
FLOATING ANVIL, Publication No. 2012/0080493;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/242,066, entitled CURVED END EFFECTOR
FORA STAPLING INSTRUMENT, Publication No. 2012/0080498;
28
Date Re9ue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/242,086, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
INCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/241,912, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
INCLUDING COLLAPSIBLE DECK ARRANGEMENT;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/241,922, entitled SURGICAL STAPLER WITH
STATIONARY STAPLE DRIVERS;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/241,637, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
WITH TRIGGER ASSEMBLY FOR GENERATING MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTIONS,
Publication No. 2012/0074201;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/241,629, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
WITH SELECTIVELY ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, Publication No.
201210074200;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,096, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CAPSULES, Publication No.
201210241496;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,103, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF LAYERS, Publication No.
201210241498;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,098, entitled EXPANDABLE TISSUE
THICKNESS COMPENSATOR, Publication No. 2012/0241491;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,102, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A RESERVOIR, Publication No. 2012/0241497;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,114, entitled RETAINER ASSEMBLY
INCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR, Publication No. 2012/0241499;
U.S. Application Serial No. 12/433,136, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE MEDICAMENT, Publication No.
201210241492;
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,141, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CONTROLLED RELEASE AND EXPANSION,
Publication No. 2012/0241493;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,144, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING FIBERS TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD,
Publication No. 2012/0241500;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,148, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING STRUCTURE TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD,
Publication No. 2012/0241501;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,155, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING RESILIENT MEMBERS, Publication No. 2012/0241502;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,163, entitled METHODS FOR FORMING
TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS,
Publication No. 2012/0248169;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,167, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATORS, Publication No. 2012/0241503;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,175, entitled LAYERED TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR, now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0253298;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,179, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATORS FOR CIRCULAR SURGICAL STAPLERS, Publication No.
201210241505;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,115, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CAPSULES DEFINING A LOW PRESSURE
ENVIRONMENT;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,118, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISED OF A PLURALITY OF MATERIALS;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,135, entitled MOVABLE MEMBER FOR USE
WITH A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR;
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,140, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,147, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING CHANNELS;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,126, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING TISSUE INGROWTH FEATURES;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,132, entitled DEVICES AND METHODS FOR
ATTACHING TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATING MATERIALS TO SURGICAL
STAPLING INSTRUMENTS; and
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/433,129, entitled TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF MEDICAMENTS.
[0301] The Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent
Applications
identified below:
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/216,562, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR
FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, U.S. Patent
No. 7,669,746;
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/714,049, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE
WITH ANVIL HAVING STAPLE FORMING POCKETS OF VARYING DEPTHS, U.S.
Patent Publication No. 2007/0194082;
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/711,979, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES
THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, U.S. Patent No.
8,317,070;
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/711,975, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE
WITH STAPLE DRIVERS OF DIFFERENT HEIGHT, U.S. Patent Publication No.
200710194079;
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/711,977, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE
WITH STAPLE DRIVER THAT SUPPORTS MULTIPLE WIRE DIAMETER STAPLES, U.S.
Patent No. 7,673,781;
31
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Application Serial No. 11/712,315, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE
WITH MULTIPLE STACKED ACTUATOR WEDGE CAMS FOR DRIVING STAPLE
DRIVERS, U.S. Patent No. 7,500,979;
U.S. Application Serial No. 12/038,939, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR
FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, U.S. Patent
No. 7,934,630;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/020,263, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS
THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT LENGTHS, U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2011/0147434;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/118,278, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED
SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES THAT PRODUCE FORMED STAPLES HAVING
DIFFERENT LENGTHS, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0290851;
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/369,629, entitled ROBOTICALLY-CONTROLLED
CABLE-BASED SURGICAL END EFFECTORS, U.S. Patent Publication No.
201210138660;
U.S. Application Serial No. 12/695,359, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES
FOR FORMING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT FORMED HEIGHTS, U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2010/0127042; and
U.S. Application Serial No. 13/072,923, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR
FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS, U.S. Patent
Publication No. 2011/0174863.
[0302] The Applicant of the present application also owns the U.S. Patent
Applications
identified below which were filed on February 8, 2013:
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,112, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING
CARTRIDGE WITH LAYER RETENTION FEATURES;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,028, entitled ADHESIVE FILM
LAMINATE;
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,042, entitled RELEASABLE TISSUE
THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING THE SAME,
Publication No. 2013/0221063;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,048, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A RELEASABLE TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR, Publication No.
201310221064;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,054, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER FOR RELEASING A TISSUE THICKNESS
COMPENSATOR, Publication No. 2014/0097227;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,065, entitled FASTENER CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A RELEASABLY ATTACHED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR,
Publication No. 2013/0221065;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,021, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A RELEASABLE COVER, Publication No. 2014/0224686;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,078, entitled ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED
TO A PROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR, Publication No. 2013/0256383;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,094, entitled LAYER COMPRISING
DEPLOYABLE ATTACHMENT MEMBERS, Publication No. 2013/0256377;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,106, entitled END EFFECTOR
COMPRISING A DISTAL TISSUE ABUTMENT MEMBER, Publication No. 2013/0256378;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,095, entitled LAYER ARRANGEMENTS
FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES, Publication No. 2013/0161374;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,147, entitled IMPLANTABLE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES, Publication No.
201310153636;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,192, entitled MULTIPLE THICKNESS
IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES, Publication No.
201310146642;
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-08-31
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,161, entitled RELEASABLE LAYER OF
MATERIAL AND SURGICAL END EFFECTOR HAVING THE SAME, Publication No.
201310153641;
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,177, entitled ACTUATOR FOR
RELEASING A LAYER OF MATERIAL FROM A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR,
Publication No. 2013/0146641; and
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13/763,037, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE
COMPRISING A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION, Publication No. 2014/0224857.
[0303] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an
overall
understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and
use of the
devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these
embodiments are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will understand
that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in
the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the
scope of
the various embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the
claims. The
features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment
may be
combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and
variations are
intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
[0304] Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," some
embodiments," one embodiment," or an embodiment", or the like, means that a
particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases in
various
embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment", or "in an
embodiment", or
the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same
embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or
characteristics may be
combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the
particular
features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in
connection with one
34
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embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures,
or
characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such
modifications
and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present
invention.
[0305] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a
clinician
manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term
"proximal" referring to
the portion closest to the clinician and the term "distal" referring to the
portion located away
from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and
clarity, spatial
terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "up", and "down" may be used herein
with respect to
the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and
positions,
and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.
[0306] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing
laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the person
of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices
disclosed herein
can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for
example, in
connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description
proceeds,
those of ordinary skill in the art will further appreciate that the various
instruments
disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a
natural orifice,
through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working
portions or end
effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's
body or can be
inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the
end
effector and elongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.
[0307] In FIGS. 1 and 2, a surgical stapling and severing instrument 8010 can
comprise
an anvil 8014 which may be repeatably opened and closed about its pivotal
attachment to
an elongate staple channel 8016. A staple applying assembly 8012 can comprise
the anvil
8014 and the channel 8016, wherein the assembly 8012 can be proximally
attached to the
elongate shaft 8018 forming an implement portion 8022. When the staple
applying
assembly 8012 is closed, or at least substantially closed, the implement
portion 8022 can
present a sufficiently small cross-section suitable for inserting the staple
applying
assembly 8012 through a tracer. In various embodiments, the assembly 8012 can
be
manipulated by a handle 8020 connected to the shaft 8018. The handle 8020 can
comprise user controls such as a rotation knob 8030 that rotates the elongate
shaft 8018
CA 02899898 2015-07-30
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and staple applying assembly 8012 about a longitudinal axis of the shaft 8018.
A closure
trigger 8026, which can pivot in front of a pistol grip 8036 about a closure
trigger pin 8152
(FIG. 3) engaged laterally across the handle housing 8154, can be depressed to
close the
staple applying assembly 8012. In various embodiments, a closure release
button 8038
can be outwardly presented on the handle 8020 when the closure trigger 8026 is
clamped
such that the release button 8038 can be depressed to unclamp the closure
trigger 8026
and open the staple applying assembly 8012, as described in greater detail
below. A firing
trigger 8034, which can pivot in front of the closure trigger 8026, can cause
the staple
applying assembly 8012 to simultaneously sever and staple tissue clamped
therein. In
various circumstances, as described in greater detail below, multiple firing
strokes can be
employed using the firing trigger 8034 to reduce the amount of force required
to be applied
by the surgeon's hand per stroke. In certain embodiments, the handle 8020 can
comprise
rotatable right and/or left indicator wheels 8040, 8041 (FIG. 3) which can
indicate the firing
progress. For instance, full firing travel may require three full firing
strokes of firing trigger
8034 and thus the indicator wheels 8040, 8041 can rotate up to one-third of a
revolution
each per stroke of firing trigger 8034. As described in greater detail below,
a manual firing
release lever 8042 can allow the firing system to be retracted before full
firing travel has
been completed, if desired, and, in addition, the firing release lever 8042
can allow a
surgeon, or other clinician, to retract the firing system in the event that
the firing system
binds and/or fails.
[0308] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the elongate shaft 8018 can comprise
an outer
structure including a longitudinally reciprocating closure tube 8024 that
pivots the anvil
8014 toward its close position in response to the proximal depression of the
closure trigger
8026 of handle 8020. The elongate channel 8018 can be connected to the handle
8020 by
a frame 8028 (FIG. 3) that is internal to the closure tube 8024. The frame
8028 can be
rotatably engaged to the handle 8020 so that the rotation of the rotation knob
8030 (FIG. 1)
can rotate the implement portion 8022. With particular reference to FIG. 3,
the rotation
knob 8030 can be comprised of two half-shells which can include one or more
inward
projections 8031 that can extend through one or more elongate side openings
8070 in the
closure tube 8024 and engage the frame 8028. As a result of the above, the
rotation knob
8030 and the frame 8028 can be rotated together, or synchronously, such that
the rotated
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position of knob 8030 determines the rotated position of the implement portion
8022. In
various embodiments, the longitudinal length of the longer opening 8070 is
sufficiently long
to allow the longitudinal closure motion, and opening motion, of the closure
tube 8024.
With regard to generating the closure motion of closure tube 8024, referring
primarily to
FIGS. 3 and 5, an upper portion 8160 of the closure trigger 8026 can push
forward a
closure yoke 8162 (FIG. 4) via a closure link 8164. The closure link 8164 is
pivotally
attached at its distal end by a closure yoke pin 8166 to the closure yoke 8162
and is
pivotally attached at its proximal end by a closure link pin 8168. In various
embodiments,
the closure trigger 8026 can be urged to an open position by a closure trigger
tension
spring 8246 that is connected proximally to the upper portion 8160 of the
closure trigger
8026 and a handle housing 8154 formed by right and left half shells 8156,
8158. The
tension force applied by the tension spring 8246 can be overcome by a closing
force
applied to the closure trigger 8026 in order to advance the yoke 8162, closure
link 8164,
and the closure tube 8024 distally.
[0309] As the closure trigger 8026 is actuated, or depressed, as described
above, the
closure release button 8038 can be positioned such that the surgeon, or other
clinician,
can push the closure release button 8038, if desired, and allow the closure
trigger 8026,
and the rest of the surgical instrument, to return to an unactuated state. In
various
embodiments, the closure release button 8038 can be connected to a pivoting
locking arm
8172 by a central lateral pivot 8173 such that motion can be transferred
between the
release button 8038 and the locking arm 8172. Referring again to FIG. 3, a
compression
spring 8174 can bias the closure release button 8038 proximally, i.e.,
clockwise about the
central lateral pivot 8173 as viewed from the right and the upper portion 8160
of the
closure trigger 8026 can include a proximal crest 8170 with an aft notch 8171.
As the
closure trigger 8026 is depressed, the pivoting locking arm 8172 can ride upon
the
proximal crest 8170 and when the closure trigger 8026 reaches its fully
depressed
position, it should be appreciated that the aft notch 8171 is presented below
the pivoting
locking arm 8172 which drops into and locks against the aft notch 8171 under
the urging of
the compression spring 8174. At such point, manual depression of the closure
release
button 8038 rotates the pivoting locking arm 8172 upward and out of aft notch
8171
thereby unlocking the closure trigger 8026 and allowing the closure trigger
8026 to be
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returned to its unclamped position.
[0310] Once the closure trigger 8026 is proximally clamped, as discussed
above, the
firing trigger 8034 can be drawn toward the pistol grip 8036 in order to
advance a firing rod
8032 distally from the handle 8020. In various embodiments, the firing trigger
8034 can
pivot about a firing trigger pin 8202 that laterally traverses and is engaged
with the right
and left half shells 8156, 8158 of the handle 8020. The firing trigger 8034,
when actuated,
can advance a linked transmission firing mechanism 8150. The linked
transmission firing
mechanism 8150 can be urged into a retracted, unfired, position by a spring
8184 that is,
one, attached to the pistol grip 8036 of the handle 8020 and, two, attached to
one of the
links, for example, of the linked transmission firing mechanism 8150 as
described in
greater detail below. The spring 8184 can comprise a nonmoving end 8186
connected to
the housing 8154 and a moving end 8188 connected to a proximal end 8190 of a
steel
band 8192. A distally-disposed end 8194 of the steel band 8192 can be attached
to an
attachment feature 8195 on a front link 8196a of a plurality of links 8196a -
8196d that form
a linked rack 8200. Linked rack 8200 can be flexible such that it can readily
retract into the
pistol grip 8036 and minimize the length of the handle 8020 and yet form a
straight rigid
rack assembly that may transfer a significant firing force to and/or through
the firing rod
8032. As described in greater detail below, the thing triggel 8034 can be
engaged with a
first link 8196a during a first actuation of the firing trigger 8034, engaged
with a second link
8196b during a second actuation of the firing trigger 8034, engaged with a
third link 8196c
during a third actuation of the firing trigger 8034, and engaged with a fourth
link 8196d
during a fourth actuation of the firing trigger 8034, wherein each actuation
of the firing
trigger 8034 can advance the linked rack 8200 distally an incremental amount.
In various
embodiments, further to the above, the multiple strokes of firing trigger 8034
can rotate the
right and left indicator gauge wheels 8040, 8041 to indicate the distance in
which the
linked rack 8200 has been advanced.
[0311] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, an anti-backup mechanism 8250 can
prevent the
combination tension/compression spring 8184 from retracting the linked rack
8200
between firing strokes. In various embodiments, a coupling slide tube 8131
abuts the first
link 8196a and connects to the firing rod 8032 to communicate the firing
motion. The firing
rod 8032 extends proximally out of a proximal end of the frame 8028 and
through a
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through hole 8408 of an anti-backup plate 8266. The through hole 8408 is sized
to slidingly
receive the firing rod 8032 when perpendicularly aligned but to bind when
tipped. A lower
tab attachment 8271 extends proximally from a lower lip of the proximal end of
the frame
8028, extending through an aperture 8269 on a lower edge of the anti-backup
plate 8266.
This lower tab attachment 8271 draws the lower portion of the anti-backup
plate 8266
proximate to the frame 8028 so that the anti-backup plate 8266 is
perpendicular when the
firing rod 8032 is distally advanced and allowed to tip top aft into a binding
state when the
firing rod 8032 attempts to retract. An anti-backup compression spring 8264 is
distally
constrained by the proximal end of the frame 8028 and proximally abuts a top
portion of
the anti-backup plate 8266, biasing the anti-backup plate 8266 to a locking
state.
Opposing the spring bias, an anti-backup cam tube 8268 slidingly encompasses
the
coupling slide tube 8131 and abuts the anti-backup plate 8266. A proximally
projecting
anti-backup yoke 8256 attached to the anti-backup cam tube 8268 extends
overtop of the
closure yoke 8162.
[0312] Referring to FIG. 3, a link triggered automatic retraction mechanism
8289 is
incorporated into the surgical stapling and severing instrument 8010 to cause
knife
retraction at the end of full firing travel. To that end, the distal link
8196d includes a tang
8290 that projects upwardly when the distal link 8196d is advanced into rack
channel 8291
(FIG. 3) formed in the closure yoke 8162. This tang 8290 is aligned to
activate a bottom
proximal cam 8292 on an anti-backup release lever 8248 (FIG. 6). With
particular
reference to FIG. 6, structures formed in the right and left half shells 8156,
8158 constrain
movement of the anti-backup release lever 8248. A pin receptacle 8296 and
circular pin
8293 formed respectively between right and left half shells 8156, 8158 is
received through
a longitudinally elongate aperture 8294 formed in the anti-backup release
lever 8248 distal
to the bottom proximal cam 8292, thus allowing longitudinal translation as
well as rotation
about the circular pin 8293. In the right half shell 8156, a proximally open
channel includes
a proximal horizontal portion that communicates with an upwardly and distally
angled
portion that receives a rightward aft pin 8297 near the proximal end of the
anti-backup
release lever 8248, thus imparting an upward rotation as the anti-backup
release lever
8248 reaches the distal most portion of its translation. A blocking structure
formed in the
right half shell 8156 proximal to the anti-backup release lever 8248 prevents
proximal
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movement thereof once assembled to maintain rightward aft pin 8297 in the
proximally
open channel, discussed above.
[0313] Further to the above, referencing now FIGS. 3 and 7, a distal end 8254
of the
anti-backup release lever 8248 thus is urged distally and downwardly, causing
a rightward
front pin 8298 to drop into distally open step structure 8299 formed in the
right half shell
8156, which is urged into this engagement by a compression spring 8300 (FIG.
3) hooked
to a leftward hook 8301 on the anti-backup release lever 8248 between the
rightward front
pin 8298 and the longitudinally elongate aperture 8294. The other end of the
compression
spring 8300 is attached to a hook 8302 (FIG. 6) formed in the right half shell
8156 in a
more proximal and lower position just above the closure yoke 8266. The
compression
spring 8300 thus pulls the distal end 8254 of the anti-backup release lever
8248 down and
aft, which results in the rightward front pin 8298 locking into the distally
open step structure
8299 when distally advanced. Thus, once tripped, referring to FIG. 7, the anti-
backup
release lever 8248 remains forward holding the anti-backup plate 8266
perpendicularly
and thus allowing the linked rack 8200 to be retracted. When the closure yoke
8266 is
subsequently retracted when unclamping the end effector 8012, an upwardly
projecting
reset tang 8303 on the closure yoke 8266 contacts a bottom distal cam 8305 of
the anti-
backup release lever 8248, lifting the rightward front pin 8298 out of the
distally open step
structure 8299 so that the anti-backup compression spring 8264 can proximally
push the
anti-backup cam tube 8268 and the anti-backup release lever 8248 to their
retracted
positions (FIG. 6).
[0314] In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 1-3, the firing trigger 8034
can be
operably engaged to the linked rack 8200 in any suitable manner. With
particular reference
to FIGS. 2 and 3, the firing trigger 8034 pivots about a firing trigger pin
8202 that is
connected to the housing 8154. An upper portion 8204 of the firing trigger
8034 moves
distally about the firing trigger pin 8202 as the firing trigger 8034 is
depressed towards
pistol grip 8036. stretching a proximally placed firing trigger tension spring
8206 (FIG. 3)
proximally connected between the upper portion 8204 of the firing trigger 8034
and the
housing 8154. The upper portion 8204 of the firing trigger 8034 engages the
linked rack
8200 during each firing trigger depression via a spring biased side pawl
mechanism 8210.
When the firing trigger is released, the side pawl mechanism is disengaged
from the linked
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rack 8200 and the firing trigger can be returned to an undepressed, or
unfired, position. In
use, a ramped right-side track formed by a proximally and rightwardly facing
beveled
surface 8284 in each of the links 8196a-8196d is engaged by a side pawl
assembly 8285.
In particular, a pawl slide 8270 (FIGS. 3 and 4) has right and left lower
guides 8272 that
slide respectively in a left track 8274 (FIG. 3) formed in the closure yoke
8266 below the
rack channel 8291 and a right track 8275 in a closure yoke rail 8276 that
parallels rack
channel 8291 and is attached to a rack channel cover 8277 that closes a
rightwardly open
portion of the rack channel 8291 in the closure yoke 8266 that is distal to
the travel of the
pawl slide 8270. In FIGS. 3-5, a compression spring 8278 is attached between a
hook
8279 on a top proximal position on the closure yoke rail 8276 and a hook 8280
on a distal
right-side of the pawl slide 8270, which keeps the pawl slide 8270 drawn
proximally into
contact with the upper portion 8204 of the firing trigger 8034.
[03151 With particular reference to FIG. 3, a pawl block 8318 sits on the pawl
slide 8270
pivoting about a vertical aft pin 8320 that passes through a left proximal
corner of pawl
block 8318 and pawl slide 8270. A kick-out block recess 8322 is formed on a
distal portion
of a top surface of the block 8318 to receive a kick-out block 8324 pivotally
pinned therein
by a vertical pin 8326 whose bottom tip extends into a pawl spring recess 8328
on a top
sufface ur the pawl slide 8270. A pawl spring 8330 in the pawl spring recess
8328 extends
to the right of the vertical front pin 8326 urging the pawl block 8318 to
rotate
counterclockwise when viewed from above into engagement with the ramped right-
side
track 8282 A small coil spring 8332 in the kick-out block recess 8322 urges
the kick-out
block 8324 to rotate clockwise when viewed from above, its proximal end urged
into
contact with a contoured lip 8334 formed in the closure yoke 8266 above the
rack channel
8291. As shown in FIG. 5, the stronger mechanical advantage of the pawl spring
8330
over the small coil spring 8332 means that the pawl block 8318 tends toward
engagement
with the kick-out block 8324 rotated clockwise. In FIG. 3, as the firing
trigger 8034 is fully
depressed and begins to be release, the kick-out block 8324 encounters a ridge
8336 in
the contoured lip 8334 as the pawl slide 8270 retracts, forcing the kick-out
block 8324 to
rotate clockwise when viewed from above and thereby kicking out the pawl block
8318
from engagement with the linked rack 8200. The shape of the kick-out block
recess 8322
stops the clockwise rotation of the kick-out block 8324 to a perpendicular
orientation to the
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contoured lip 8334 maintaining this disengagement during the full retraction
and thereby
eliminating a ratcheting noise.
[0316] In FIGS. 3, 4. 8, and 12, the surgical stapling and severing
instrument 8010
can include a manual retraction mechanism 8500 that provides for a manual
release of the
firing mechanism, manual retraction, and in one version (FIGS. 13-15) further
performs
automatic retraction at the end of full firing travel. Referring now to FIGS.
3 and 8, in
particular, a front idler gear 8220 is engaged with a toothed upper, left
surface 8222 of the
linked rack 8200 wherein the front idler gear 8220 also engages an aft idler
gear 8230
having a smaller right-side ratchet gear 8231. Both the front idler gear 8220
and aft idler
gear 8230 are rotatabiy connected to the handle housing 8154 respectively on
front idler
axle 8232 and aft idler axle 8234. Each end of the aft axle 8232 extend
through the
respective right and left housing half shells 8156, 8158 and are attached to
the left and
right indicator gauge wheels 8040, 8041 and, since the aft axle 8234 is free
spinning in the
handle housing 8154 and has a keyed engagement to the aft gear 8230, the
indicator
gauge wheels 8040, 8041 rotate with the aft gear 8230. The gear relationship
between the
linked rack 8200, idler gear 8220 and aft gear 8230 may be advantageously
selected so
that the toothed upper surface 8222 has tooth dimensions that are suitably
strong and that
the aft gear 8230 makes no more than one !evolution during the full firing
travel of the
linked transmission firing mechanism 8150. In addition to gear mechanism 8502
visually
indicating the firing travel, or progress, the gear mechanism 8502 can also be
used to
manual retract the knife. In various embodiments, the smaller right-side
ratchet gear 8231
of the aft idler gear 8230 extends into a hub 8506 of the manual retraction
lever 8042,
specifically aligned with a vertical longitudinally-aligned slot 8508 (FIG. 8)
bisecting the hub
8506. A lateral through hole 8510 of the hub 8506 communicates with an upper
recess
8512. A front portion 8514 is shaped to receive a proximally directed locking
pawl 8516
that pivots about a rightward lateral pin 8518 formed in a distal end of the
upper recess
8512. An aft portion 8520 is shaped to receive an L-shaped spring tab 8522
that urges the
locking pawl 8516 downward into engagement with the right-side smaller ratchet
gear
8231. A hold-up structure 8524 (FIG. 6) projects from the right half shell
8156 into the
upper recess 8512 holding up the locking pawl 8516 from engaging the smaller
right-side
ratchet gear 8231 when the manual retraction lever 8042 is down (FIG. 10). A
coil spring
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8525 (FIG. 3) urges the manual retraction lever 8042 down.
[Urn In use, as depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, the combination
tension/compression
spring 8184 may become disconnected with the linked rack distally positioned.
In FIGS. 11
and 12, as the manual retraction lever 8042 is raised, the locking pawl 8516
rotates
clockwise and no longer is held up by the hold-up structure 8524 and engages
the smaller
right-side ratcheting gear 8231, rotating the aft idler gear 8230 clockwise
when viewed
from the left. Thus, the forward idler gear 8220 responds counterclockwise
retracting the
linked rack 8200. In addition, a rightward curved ridge 8510 projects out from
the hub
8506, sized to contact and distally move the anti-backup release lever 8248 to
release the
anti-backup mechanism 8250 as the manual retraction lever 8042 is rotated.
[0318] In FIGS. 13-15, an automatic retraction mechanism 8600 for a surgical
stapling
and severing instrument can incorporate automatic retraction at the end of
full firing travel
into a front idler gear 8220a having a tooth 8602 that moves within a circular
groove 8604
in a cam wheel 8606 until encountering a blockage after nearly a full rotation
corresponding to three firing strokes. In such circumstances, rightward ridge
8610 is
rotated upward into contact a bottom cam recess 8612 to distally move an anti-
backup
release lever 8248a. With particular reference to FIG. 13, the anti-backup
release lever
8248a includes the distal end 8254 that operates as previously described. The
circular pin
8293 and pin receptacle 8296 formed between right and left half shells 8156,
8158 is
received through a generally rectangular aperture 8294a formed in the anti-
backup release
lever 8248a aft of the bottom cam 8192, thus allowing longitudinal translation
as well as
downward locking motion of the distal end 8254 of the anti-backup release
lever 8248a. In
the right half shell 8156, a horizontal proximally open channel receives the
rightward aft pin
near the proximal end of the anti-backup release lever 8248a.
[0319] In operation, before firing in FIGS. 13, 14, the linked rack 8200 and
the anti-
backup cam tube 8268 are in a retracted position, locking the anti-backup
mechanism
8250 as the anti-backup compression spring 8264 proximally tips the anti-
backup plate
8266. The automatic retraction mechanism 8600 is at an initial state with the
anti-backup
release lever 8248a retracted with link 8196a in contact with the forward
idler gear 8220a.
The tooth 8602 is at a six o'clock position with full travel of the circular
groove 8604
progressing counterclockwise thereof with the rightward ridge 8610 just
proximal to the
43
tooth 8602. After one firing stroke, the linked rack 8200 has moved up one
distal link
8196b into contact with the forward idler gear 8220a. The tooth 8602 has
progressed one
third of a turn through the circular groove 8604 of the immobile cam wheel
8606. After a
second firing stroke, the linked rack has moved up one more link 8196c into
contact with
the forward idler gear 8220a. The tooth 8602 has progressed two thirds of a
turn through
the circular groove 8604 of the immobile cam wheel 8606. After a third firing
stroke, the
linked rack 8200 has moved up one distal link 8196d into contact with the
forward idler
gear 8220a. The tooth 8602 has progressed fully around the circular groove
8604 into
contact with the blockage, mentioned above, initiating counterclockwise
rotation (when
viewed from the right) of the cam wheel 8606 bringing the rightward ridge into
contact with
the anti-backup release lever 8248a. In FIG. 15, the anti-backup release lever
8248a has
moved distally in response thereto, locking the rightward front pin 8298 into
the distally
open step structure 8299 and releasing the anti-backup mechanism 8250. Similar
surgical
stapling instruments are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,083,075, which issued
on August
1, 2006.
[0320] Referring to FIG. 16, the staple applying assembly 9012 of a surgical
stapling
instrument 9010 accomplishes the functions of clamping onto tissue, driving
staples and
severing tissue by two distinct motions transferred longitudinally down the
shaft 9016
relative to a shaft frame 9070. This shaft frame 9070 is proximally attached
to a handle of
a surgical stapling instrument and is coupled thereto for rotation about a
longitudinal axis.
An illustrative multi-stroke handle for the surgical stapling and severing
instrument is
described in greater detail in the co-pending and co-owned U.S. patent
application entitled
SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING A MULTISTROKE FIRING
POSITION INDICATOR AND RETRACTION MECHANISM, Ser. No. 10/374,026. Other
applications consistent with the present invention may incorporate a single
firing stroke,
such as described in co-pending and commonly owned U.S. patent application
SURGICAL
STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING
SYSTEMS, Ser. No. 10/441,632.
[0321] With particular reference to FIG. 17, the distal end of the shaft frame
9070 is
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attached to the staple channel 9018. The anvil 9022 has a proximal pivoting
end 9072 that
is pivotally received within a proximal end 9074 of the staple channel 9018,
just distal to its
engagement to the shaft frame 9070. When the anvil 9022 is pivoted downwardly,
the
anvil 9022 moves a tissue contacting surface 9028 and forming pockets 9026
toward an
opposing staple cartridge, described in greater detail further below. The
pivoting end 9072
of the anvil 9022 includes a closure feature 9076 proximate but distal to its
pivotal
attachment with the staple channel 9018. Thus, a closure tube 9078, whose
distal end
includes a horseshoe aperture 9080 that engages this closure feature 9076,
selectively
imparts an opening motion to the anvil 9022 during proximal longitudinal
motion and a
closing motion to the anvil 9022 during distal longitudinal motion of the
closure tube 9078
sliding over the shaft frame 9070 in response to a closure trigger, similar to
the above.
The shaft frame 9070 encompasses and guides a firing motion from the handle
through a
longitudinally reciprocating, two-piece knife and firing bar 9090. In
particular, the shaft
frame 9070 includes a longitudinal firing bar slot 9092 that receives a
proximal portion of
the two-piece knife and firing bar 9090, specifically a laminate tapered
firing bar 9094. It
should be appreciated that the laminated tapered firing bar 9094 may be
substituted with a
solid firing bar and/or any other suitable materials.
[0322] An E-beam 9102 is the distal portion of the two-piece knife and firing
bar 9090,
which facilitates separate closure and firing as well as spacing of the anvil
9022 from the
elongate staple channel 9018 during firing. With particular reference to FIGS.
17 and 19, in
addition to any attachment treatment such as brazing or an adhesive, the knife
and firing
bar 9090 are formed of a female vertical attachment aperture 9104 proximally
formed in
the E-beam 9102 that receives a corresponding male attachment member 9106
distally
presented by the laminated tapered firing bar 9094, allowing each portion to
be formed of a
selected material and process suitable for their disparate functions (e.g.,
strength,
flexibility, friction). The E-beam 9102 may be advantageously formed of a
material having
suitable material properties for forming a pair of top pins 9110, a pair of
middle pins 9112
and a bottom pin or foot 9114, as well as being able to acquire a sharp
cutting edge 9116.
In addition, integrally formed and proximally projecting top guide 9118 and
middle guide
9120 bracketing each vertical end of the cutting edge 9116 further define a
tissue staging
area 9122 assisting in guiding tissue to the sharp cutting edge 9116 prior to
being severed.
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The middle guide 9120 also serves to engage and fire the staple applying
apparatus 9012
by abutting a stepped central member 9124 of a wedge sled 9126 (FIG. 20) that
effects
staple formation by the staple applying assembly 9012, as described in greater
detail
below. Forming these features (e.g., top pins 9110, middle pins 9112, and
bottom foot
9114) integrally with the &beam 9102 facilitates manufacturing at tighter
tolerances
relative to one another as compared to being assembled from a plurality of
parts, ensuring
desired operation during firing and/or effective interaction with various
lockout features of
the staple applying assembly 9012.
[0323] In FIGS. 21 and 22, the staple applying assembly 9012 is shown open,
with the
E-beam 9102 fully retracted. During assembly, the lower foot 9114 of the E-
beam 9102 is
dropped through a widened hole 9130 in the staple channel 9018 and the E-beam
9102 is
then advanced such that the E-beam 9102 slides distally along a lower track
9132 formed
in the staple channel 9018. In particular, the lower track 9132 includes a
narrow slot 9133
that opens up as a widened slot 9134 on an undersurface of the staple channel
9018 to
form an inverted T-shape in lateral cross section, as depicted particularly in
FIGS. 22 and
23, which communicates with the widened hole 9130. Once assembled, the
components
proximally coupled to the laminate tapered firing bar 9094 do not allow the
lower foot 9114
to proximally travel again to the widened hole 9130 to permit disengagement.
Referring to
FIG. 24, the laminate tapered firing bar 9094 facilitates insertion of the
staple applying
assembly 9012 through a trocar. In particular, a more distal, downward
projection 9136
raises the E-beam 9102 when fully retracted. This is accomplished by placement
of the
downward projection 9136 at a point where it cams upwardly on a proximal edge
of the
widened hole 9130 in the staple channel 9018. Referring now to FIG. 25, the
laminate
tapered firing bar 9094 also enhances operation of certain lockout features
that may be
incorporated into the staple channel 9018 by including a more proximal upward
projection
9138 that is urged downwardly by the shaft frame 9070 during an initial
portion of the firing
travel. In particular, a lateral bar 9140 is defined between a pair of square
apertures 9142
in the shaft frame 9070 (FIG. 17). A clip spring 9144 that encompasses the
lateral bar
9140 downwardly urges a portion of the laminate tapered firing bar 9094
projecting distally
out of the longitudinal firing bar slot 9092, which ensures certain
advantageous lockout
features are engaged when appropriate. This urging is more pronounced or
confined solely
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to that portion of the firing travel when the upward projection 9138 contacts
the clip spring
9144.
[0324] In FIGS. 21 and 22, the E-beam 9102 is retracted with the top pins 9110
thereof
residing within an anvil pocket 9150 near the pivoting proximal end of the
anvil 9022. A
downwardly open vertical anvil slot 9152 (FIG. 16) laterally widens in the
anvil 9022 into an
anvil internal track 9154 that captures the top pins 9110 of the E-beam 9102
as they
distally advance during firing, as depicted in FIGS. 24 and 25, affirmatively
spacing the
anvil 9022 from the staple channel 9018. Thus, with the E-beam 9102 retracted,
the
surgeon is able to repeatably open and close the staple applying assembly 9012
until
satisfied with the placement and orientation of tissue captured therein for
stapling and
severing, yet the E-beam 9102 assists in proper positioning of tissue even for
a staple
applying assembly 9012 of reduced diameter and correspondingly reduced
rigidity. In
FIGS. 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, and 29, the staple applying assembly 9012 is shown
with the
replaceable staple cartridge 9020 that includes the wedge sled 9126.
Longitudinally
aligned and parallel plurality of downwardly open wedge slots 9202 (FIG. 23)
receive
respective wedges 9204 integral to the wedge sled 9126. In FIGS. 23-25, the
wedge sled
9126 thus cams upwardly a plurality of staple drivers 9206 that are vertically
slidable within
staple driver recesses 9208. In this illustrative version, each staple driver
9206 includes
two vertical prongs, each translating upwardly into a respective staple hole
9210, or cavity
9024, to upwardly force out and deform a staple 9023 resting thereupon against
a staple
forming surface 9214 (FIG. 25) of the anvil 9022. A central firing recess 9216
(FIG. 17)
defined within the staple cartridge 9020 proximate to the staple channel 9018
allows the
passage of the bottom, horizontal portion 9218 (FIG. 20) of the wedge sled
9126 as well as
the middle pins 9112 of the E-beam 9102. Specifically, a staple cartridge tray
9220 (FIGS.
17, 23) attaches to and underlies a polymer staple cartridge body 9222 that
has the staple
driver recesses 9208, staple holes 9210, and central firing recess 9216 formed
therein. As
staples 9023 are thus formed to either side, the sharp cutting edge 9116
enters a vertical
through slot 9230 passing through the longitudinal axis of the staple
cartridge 9020,
excepting only a most distal end thereof.
[0325] Firing the staple applying assembly 9012 begins as depicted in FIG. 25
with the
two-piece knife and firing bar 9090 proximally drawn until the downward
projection 9136
47
cams the middle guide 9120 on the E-beam 9102 upward and aft, allowing a new
staple
cartridge 9020 to be inserted into the staple channel 9018 when the anvil 9022
is open as
depicted in FIGS. 16 and 21. In FIG. 26, the two-piece knife and firing bar
9090 has been
distally advanced a small distance, allowing the downward projection 9136 to
drop into the
widened hole 9130 of the lower track 9132 under the urging of the clip spring
9144 against
the upward projection 9138 of the laminate tapered firing bar 9094. The middle
guide 9120
prevents further downward rotation by resting upon the stepped central member
9124 of
the wedge sled 9126, thus maintaining the middle pin 9112 of the E-beam within
the
central firing recess 9216. In FIG. 27, the two-piece knife and firing bar
9090 has been
distally fired, advancing the wedge sled 9126 to cause formation of staples
9023 while
severing tissue 9242 clamped between the anvil 9022 and staple cartridge 9020
with the
sharp cutting edge 9116. Thereafter, in FIG. 28, the two-piece knife and
firing bar 9090 is
retracted, leaving the wedge sled 9126 distally positioned. In FIG. 29, the
middle pin 9112
is allowed to translate down into a lockout recess 9240 formed in the staple
channel 9018
(also see FIGS. 22 and 25). Thus, the operator would receive a tactile
indication as the
middle pin 9112 encounters the distal edge of the lockout recess 9240 when the
wedge
sled 9126 (not shown in FIG. 29) is not proximally positioned (i.e., missing
staple cartridge
9020 or spent staple cartridge 9020). Similar surgical stapling instruments
are disclosed in
U.S. Patent No. 7,380,696, which issued on June 3, 2008.
[0326] In various embodiments, turning now to FIGS. 30-38, a surgical
instrument 12000
can comprise a handle 12010, a shaft 12020 extending from the handle 12010,
and an end
effector 12040 removably attachable to the shaft 12020, as described in
greater detail
further below. The handle 12010 can comprise a trigger 12014 which can be
actuated to,
one, close the end effector 12040 and, two, advance a firing member 12043
distally
through the end effector 12040. Although not illustrated in FIGS. 30-38, the
handle 12010
can include any suitable drive train configured to transfer and convert the
rotational motion
of the trigger 12014 to linear motion of a firing member 12023 extending
through the shaft
12010. In use, the trigger 12014 can be actuated toward a pistol grip 12012 of
the handle
12010 in order to advance the firing member 12023 distally within the shaft
12020 along a
longitudinal axis 12039 and, when the shaft firing member 12023 is operably
coupled with
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the end effector firing member 12043, as discussed in greater detail further
below, the
distal movement of the shaft firing member 12023 can be transferred to the end
effector
firing member 12043. When the end effector firing member 12043 is advanced
distally, the
end effector firing member 12043 can be configured to engage a first jaw
12040a including
an anvil and/or a second jaw 12040b including a staple cartridge channel and
move at
least one of the first jaw 12040a and the second jaw 12040b toward the other.
Further to
the above, and referring primarily to FIGS. 30-32, the end effector 12040 can
be
assembled to the shaft 12010 in a direction which is transverse to the
longitudinal axis
12039. For instance, the end effector 12040 can be assembled to the shaft
12010 in a
direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 12039, for example.
In such
circumstances, the end effector 12040 can be moved toward the shaft 12010 such
that the
frame 12041 of the end effector 12040 engages and connects to the frame 12021
and
such that the proximal end 12044 of the firing member 12043 engages and
couples to the
distal end 12024 of the firing member 12023. The shaft frame 12021 can include
a
channel 12022 defined therein which can be configured to slidably receive the
shaft firing
member 12023 and define the longitudinal axis 12039. To align the end effector
frame
12041 with the shaft frame 12021, in various embodiments, the proximal end
12045 of the
end effector flame 12041 and the distal end 12025 of the shaft frame 12021 can
include
co-operating dovetail features, for example, which can orient the end effector
12040
relative to the shaft 12020. The shaft frame 12021 can further include
mounting apertures
12026 defined therein which can be configured to receive mounting projections
12046
extending from the end effector frame 12041. As a result of the co-operating
dovetail
features of the ends 12025, 12045 and/or the mounting features 12026, 12046,
in various
circumstances, can securely mount the end effector 12040 to the shaft 12020.
In various
embodiments, the surgical instrument 12000 can further comprise a lock collar
12030
which can be configured to lock the end effector 12040 to the shaft 12020.
Primarily
referring now to FIGS. 34-36, the lock collar 12030 can be moved between an
unlocked
position (FIGS. 34 and 35) and a locked position (FIG. 36). When the lock
collar 12030 is
in its unlocked position, referring to FIG. 34, the end effector 12040 can be
assembled to
the shaft 12020. Once end effector 12040 has been engaged with the shaft
12020, the
lock collar 12030 can be slid over the interconnection between the end
effector 12040 and
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the shaft 12020 to lock the end effector 12040 in place. More specifically, in
at least one
embodiment, the lock collar 12030 can define an inner aperture 12031 which can
be
configured to closely receive the outside perimeters of the end effector 12040
and the
shaft 12020. In certain embodiments, the surgical instrument 12000 can
comprise a spring
or biasing member configured to bias the lock collar 12030 into its locked
position. In such
embodiments, a clinician can pull the lock collar 12030 proximally against the
biasing force
of the spring and, thereafter, release the lock collar 12030 and allow the
spring to return
the lock collar 12030 to its locked position.
[0327] Referring again to FIGS. 30-38, and primarily to FIGS. 32 and 33, the
surgical
instrument 12000 can comprise an articulation joint 12050. The articulation
joint 12050, in
various embodiments, can be configured to permit a distal portion of the end
effector
12040 to pivot about an axis defined by the articulation joint 12050. In such
and
embodiment, the end effector 12040 can comprise a proximal portion securely
mounted to
the shaft 12020 and the distal portion which can rotate relative to the
proximal portion
about the articulation joint 12050. In certain embodiments, the surgical
instrument 12000
can comprise a lock configured to engage and disengage the distal portion of
the end
effector 12040. For instance, the end effector 12040 can include an end
effector lock
portion 12047 which can be pushed distally to lock the distal portion of the
end effector
12040 in position and/or pulled proximally to unlock the distal portion of the
end effector
12040. The surgical instrument 12000 can further comprise a lock actuator
12060
adjacent the handle 12010, for example, which can be pulled proximally in
order to pull the
end effector lock portion 12047 proximally. In such an embodiment, the lock
actuator
12060 can be operably coupled with a lock portion 12027 extending through the
shaft
12020 which is operably coupled, or operably couplable. to the end effector
lock portion
12047. In at least one such embodiment, the proximal end 12048 of the end
effector lock
portion 12047 can be assembled to the distal end 12028 of the lock portion
12027 when
the end effector 12040 is assembled to the shaft 12020. In at least one such
embodiment,
the end effector lock portion 12047 can be assembled to the lock portion 12027
at the
same time that the end effector firing member 12043 is assembled to shaft
firing member
12023.
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[0328] In various embodiments, as described above, a staple cartridge can
comprise a
cartridge body including a plurality of staple cavities defined therein. The
cartridge body
can comprise a deck and a top deck surface wherein each staple cavity can
define an
opening in the deck surface. As also described above, a staple can be
positioned within
each staple cavity such that the staples are stored within the cartridge body
until they are
ejected therefrom. Prior to being ejected from the cartridge body, in various
embodiments,
the staples can be contained with the cartridge body such that the staples do
not protrude
above the deck surface. As the staples are positioned below the deck surface,
in such
embodiments, the possibility of the staples becoming damaged and/or
prematurely
contacting the targeted tissue can be reduced. In various circumstances, the
staples can
be moved between an unfired position in which they do not protrude from the
cartridge
body and a fired position in which they have emerged from the cartridge body
and can
contact an anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge. In various
embodiments, the
anvil, and/or the forming pockets defined within the anvil, can be positioned
a
predetermined distance above the deck surface such that, as the staples are
being
deployed from the cartridge body, the staples are deformed to a predetermined
formed
height. In some circumstances, the thickness of the tissue captured between
the anvil and
the staple cartridge may vary and, as a result, thicker tissue may be captured
within certain
staples while thinner tissue may be captured within certain other staples. In
either event,
the clamping pressure, or force, applied to the tissue by the staples may vary
from staple
to staple or vary between a staple on one end of a staple row and a staple on
the other
end of the staple row, for example. In certain circumstances, the gap between
the anvil
and the staple cartridge deck can be controlled such that the staples apply a
certain
minimum clamping pressure within each staple. In some such circumstances,
however,
significant variation of the clamping pressure within different staples may
still exist.
[0329] In use, further to the above and referring primarily to FIG. 39, an
anvil, such as
anvil, 10060, for example, can be moved into a closed position opposite the
staple
cartridge 10000. As described in greater detail below, the anvil 10060 can
position tissue
against the tissue thickness compensator 10020 and, in various embodiments,
compress
the tissue thickness compensator 10020 against the deck surface 10011 of the
support
portion 10010, for example. Once the anvil 10060 has been suitably positioned,
the
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staples 10030 can be deployed, as also illustrated in FIG. 39. In various
embodiments, as
mentioned above, the staple-firing sled 10050 can be moved from the proximal
end 10001
of the staple cartridge 10000 toward the distal end 10002, as illustrated in
FIG. 40. As the
sled 10050 is advanced, the sled 10050 can contact the staple drivers 10040
and lift the
staple drivers 10040 upwardly within the staple cavities 10012. In at least
one
embodiment, the sled 10050 and the staple drivers 10040 can each comprise one
or more
ramps, or inclined surfaces, which can co-operate to move the staple drivers
10040
upwardly from their unfired positions. In at least one such embodiment, each
staple driver
10040 can comprise at least one inclined surface and the sled 10050 can
comprise one or
more inclined surfaces which can be configured such that the sled inclined
surfaces can
slide under the driver inclined surface as the sled 10050 is advanced distally
within the
staple cartridge. As the staple drivers 10040 are lifted upwardly within their
respective
staple cavities 10012, the staple drivers 10040 can lift the staples 10030
upwardly such
that the staples 10030 can emerge from their staple cavities 10012 through
openings in
the staple deck 10011 (FIG. 41). During an exemplary firing sequence, the sled
10050 can
contact a first staple 10030 and begin to lift the first staple 10030
upwardly. As the sled
10050 is advanced further distally, the sled 10050 can begin to lift
additional staples
10030, and any other subsequent staples, in a sequential order. The sled 10050
can drive
the staples 10030 upwardly such that the legs 10032 of the staples contact the
opposing
anvil, are deformed to a desired shape, and ejected therefrom the support
portion 10010.
In various circumstances, the sled 10050 can move several staples upwardly at
the same
time as part of a firing sequence.
[0330] With reference to FIGS. 49-54, each staple 10030 can be deformed such
that a
compression zone 10039 is defined therein. For instance, each staple 10030 can
comprise a base 10031 and one or more legs 10032 extending from the base 10031
which, when deformed, can co-operatively define an area with the base 10031
within
which the tissue T and the tissue thickness compensator 10020 can be captured.
Within
the compression zone 10039, the tissue thickness compensator 10020 can apply
pressure
to the tissue T and, in certain circumstances, assume different compressed
heights
depending on the thickness of the tissue T. In some circumstances, the tissue
thickness
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compensator 10020 can resiliently fill gaps, or free spaces, present within
the compression
zones 10039 defined by the staples 10030.
[0331] As discussed above, and referring to FIG. 41, the staple legs 10032 of
the staples
10030 can extend above the deck surface 10011 of the support portion 10010
when the
staples 10030 are in their unfired positions. In various embodiments, the tips
of the staple
legs 10032, or any other portion of the staple legs 10032, may not protrude
through a top
tissue-contacting surface 10021 of the tissue thickness compensator 10020 when
the
staples 10030 are in their unfired positions. As the staples 10030 are moved
from their
unfired positions to their fired positions, the tips of the staple legs can
protrude through the
tissue-contacting surface. In various embodiments, the tips of the staple legs
10032 can
comprise sharp tips which can incise and penetrate the tissue thickness
compensator
10020. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 10020 can
comprise a
plurality of apertures which can be configured to receive the staple legs
10032 and allow
the staple legs 10032 to slide relative to the tissue thickness compensator
10020. In
certain embodiments, the support portion 10010 can further comprise a
plurality of guides
10013 (FIG. 41) extending from the deck surface 10011. The guides 10013 can be
positioned adjacent to the staple cavity openings in the deck surface 10011
such that the
staple legs 10032 can be at least partially supported by the guides 10013. In
certain
embodiments, a guide 10013 can be positioned at a proximal end and/or a distal
end of a
staple cavity opening. In various embodiments, a first guide 10013 can be
positioned at a
first end of each staple cavity opening and a second guide 10013 can be
positioned at a
second end of each staple cavity opening such that each first guide 10013 can
support a
first staple leg 10032 of a staple 10030 and each second guide 10013 can
support a
second staple leg 10032 of the staple. In at least one embodiment, referring
to FIG. 41,
each guide 10013 can comprise a groove or slot, such as groove 10016, for
example,
within which a staple leg 10032 can be slidably received. In various
embodiments, each
guide 10013 can comprise a cleat, protrusion, and/or spike that can extend
from the deck
surface 10011 and can extend into the tissue thickness compensator 10020. In
at least
one embodiment, as discussed in greater detail below, the cleats, protrusions,
and/or
spikes can reduce relative movement between the tissue thickness compensator
10020
and the support portion 10010. In certain embodiments, the tips of the staple
legs 10032
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may be positioned within the guides 10013 and may not extend above the top
surfaces of
the guides 10013 when the staples 10030 are in their unfired position. In at
least such
embodiment, the guides 10013 can define a guide height and the staples 10030
may not
extend above this guide height when they are in their unfired position.
[0332] In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator, such as tissue
thickness compensator 10020, for example, can be comprised of a single sheet
of
material. In at least one embodiment, a tissue thickness compensator can
comprise a
continuous sheet of material which can cover the entire top deck surface 10011
of the
support portion 10010 or, alternatively, cover less than the entire deck
surface 10011. In
certain embodiments, the sheet of material can cover the staple cavity
openings in the
support portion 10010 while, in other embodiments, the sheet of material can
comprise
openings which can be aligned, or at least partially aligned, with the staple
cavity
openings. In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can be
comprised of
multiple layers of material. In some embodiments, a tissue thickness
compensator can
comprise a compressible core and a wrap surrounding the compressible core.
[0333] In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a
wrap for
releasably holding a compressible core to the support portion 10010. In at
least one such
embodiment, a staple cartridge can further comprise retainer clips which can
be configured
to inhibit the wrap, and the compressible core, from prematurely detaching
from the
support portion 10010. In certain embodiments, as described above, a tissue
thickness
compensator can be removably attached to the support portion 10010 by the
staples
10030. More particularly, as also described above, the legs of the staples
10030 can
extend into the tissue thickness compensator 10020 when the staples 10030 are
in their
unfired position and, as a result, releasably hold the tissue thickness
compensator 10020
to the support portion 10010. In at least one embodiment, the legs of the
staples 10030
can be in contact with the sidewalls of their respective staple cavities 10012
wherein,
owing to friction between the staple legs 10032 and the sidewalls, the staples
10030 and
the tissue thickness compensator 10020 can be retained in position until the
staples 10030
are deployed from the staple cartridge 10000. When the staples 10030 are
deployed, the
tissue thickness compensator 10020 can be captured within the staples 10030
and held
against the stapled tissue T. When the anvil is thereafter moved into an open
position to
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release the tissue T, the support portion 10010 can be moved away from the
tissue
thickness compensator 10020 which has been fastened to the tissue. In certain
embodiments, an adhesive can be utilized to removably hold the tissue
thickness
compensator 10020 to the support portion 10010. In at least one embodiment, a
two-part
adhesive can be utilized wherein, in at least one embodiment, a first part of
the adhesive
can be placed on the deck surface 10011 and a second part of the adhesive can
be placed
on the tissue thickness compensator 10020 such that, when the tissue thickness
compensator 10020 is placed against the deck surface 10011, the first part can
contact the
second part to active the adhesive and detachably bond the tissue thickness
compensator
10020 to the support portion 10010. In various embodiments, any other suitable
means
could be used to detachably retain the tissue thickness compensator to the
support portion
of a staple cartridge.
[0334] In various embodiments, further to the above, the sled 10050 can be
advanced
from a proximal end to a distal end to fully deploy all of the staples 10030
contained within
the staple cartridge 10000. In at least one embodiment, referring now to FIG.
44, the sled
10050 can be advanced distally within a longitudinal cavity within the support
portion
10010 by a firing member, or knife bar, 10052 of a surgical stapler. In use,
the staple
cartridge 10000 can be inserted into a staple cartridge channel in a jaw of
the surgical
stapler and the firing member 10052 can be advanced into contact with the sled
10050, as
illustrated in FIG. 44. As the sled 10050 is advanced distally by the firing
member 10052,
the sled 10050 can contact the proximal-most staple driver, or drivers, 10040
and fire, or
eject, the staples 10030 from the cartridge body 10010, as described above. As
illustrated
in FIG. 44, the firing member 10052 can further comprise a cutting edge 10053
which can
be advanced distally through a knife slot in the support portion 10010 as the
staples 10030
are being fired. In various embodiments, a corresponding knife slot can extend
through
the anvil positioned opposite the staple cartridge 10000 such that, in at
least one
embodiment, the cutting edge 10053 can extend between the anvil and the
support portion
10010 and incise the tissue and the tissue thickness compensator positioned
therebetween. In various circumstances, the sled 10050 can be advanced
distally by the
firing member 10052 until the sled 10050 reaches the distal end of the staple
cartridge
10000. At such point, the firing member 10052 can be retracted proximally. In
some
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embodiments, the sled 10050 can be retracted proximally with the firing member
10052
but, in various embodiments, the sled 10050 can be left behind in the distal
end 10002 of
the staple cartridge 10000 when the firing member 10052 is retracted. Once the
firing
member 10052 has been sufficiently retracted, the anvil can be re-opened, the
tissue
thickness compensator 10020 can be detached from the support portion 10010,
and the
remaining non-implanted portion of the expended staple cartridge 10000,
including the
support portion 10010, can be removed from the staple cartridge channel.
[0335] After the expended staple cartridge 10000 has been removed from the
staple
cartridge channel, further to the above, a new staple cartridge 10000, or any
other suitable
staple cartridge, can be inserted into the staple cartridge channel. In
various
embodiments, further to the above, the staple cartridge channel, the firing
member 10052,
and/or the staple cartridge 10000 can comprise co-operating features which can
prevent
the firing member 10052 from being advanced distally a second, or subsequent,
time
without a new, or unfired, staple cartridge 10000 positioned in the staple
cartridge channel
10070. More particularly, as the firing member 10052 is advanced into contact
with the
sled 10050 and, when the sled 10050 is in its proximal unfired position, a
support nose of
the firing member10052 can be positioned on and/or over a support ledge on the
sled
10050 such that the firing member 10052 is held in a sufficient upwaid
position to prevent
a lock, or beam, 10054 extending from the firing member 10052 from dropping
into a lock
recess defined within the staple cartridge channel. As the lock 10054 will not
drop into the
lock recess, in such circumstances, the lock 10054 may not abut a distal
sidewall of the
lock recess as the firing member 10052 is advanced. As the firing member 10052
pushes
the sled 10050 distally, the firing member 10052 can be supported in its
upward firing
position owing to the support nose resting on the support ledge. When the
firing member
10052 is retracted relative to the sled 10050, as discussed above, the firing
member 10052
can drop downwardly from its upward position as the support nose is no longer
resting on
the support ledge of the sled 10050. In at least one such embodiment, the
surgical stapler
can comprise a spring, and/or any other suitable biasing element. which can be
configured
to bias the firing member 10052 into its downward position. Once the firing
member 10052
has been completely retracted, the firing member 10052 cannot be advanced
distally
through the spent staple cartridge 10000 once again. More particularly, the
firing member
56
10052 can't be held in its upper position by the sled 10050 as the sled 10050,
at this point
in the operating sequence, has been left behind at the distal end of the
staple cartridge
10000. Thus, as mentioned above, in the event that the firing member 10052 is
advanced
once again without replacing the staple cartridge, the lock beam 10054 will
contact the
sidewall 10057 of the lock recess which will prevent the firing member 10052
from being
advanced distally into the staple cartridge 10000 once again. Stated another
way, once the
spent staple cartridge 10000 has been replaced with a new staple cartridge,
the new
staple cartridge will have a proximally-positioned sled 10050 which can hold
the firing
member 10052 in its upper position and allow the firing member 10052 to be
advanced
distally once again.
[0336] As described above, the sled 10050 can be configured to move the staple
drivers
10040 between a first, unfired position and a second, fired position in order
to eject staples
10030 from the support portion 10010. In various embodiments, the staple
drivers 10040
can be contained within the staple cavities 10012 after the staples 10030 have
been
ejected from the support portion 10010. In certain embodiments, the support
portion
10010 can comprise one or more retention features which can be configured to
block the
staple drivers 10040 from being ejected from, or falling out of, the staple
cavities 10012. In
various other embodiments, the sled 10050 can be configured to eject the
staple drivers
10040 from the support portion 10010 with the staples 10030. In at least one
such
embodiment, the staple drivers 10040 can be comprised of a bioabsorbable
and/or
biocompatible material, such as Ultem, for example. In certain embodiments,
the staple
drivers can be attached to the staples 10030. In at least one such embodiment,
a staple
driver can be molded over and/or around the base of each staple 10030 such
that the
driver is integrally formed with the staple. U.S. Patent Application Serial
No. 11/541,123,
entitled SURGICAL STAPLES HAVING COMPRESSIBLE OR CRUSHABLE MEMBERS
FOR SECURING TISSUE THEREIN AND STAPLING INSTRUMENTS FOR DEPLOYING
THE SAME, filed on September 29, 2006.
[0337] In various circumstances, further to the above, a compressible tissue
thickness
compensator can move, twist, and/or deflect relative to the underlying rigid
support portion
of a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the support portion, and/or any
other
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suitable portion of the staple cartridge, can comprise one or more features
configured to
limit relative movement between the tissue thickness compensator and the
support portion.
As described above, at least a portion of the staples 10030 can extend above
the deck
surface 10011 of the support portion 10010 wherein, in certain circumstances,
lateral
forces applied to a tissue thickness compensator can be resisted by the
staples 10030
and/or the cleats 10013 extending from the support portion 10010, for example.
In various
circumstances, the staples 10030 may tilt and/or bend within the staple
cavities 10012
while resisting the lateral movement of the tissue thickness compensator
wherein, in
various embodiments, the staple cavities 10012 and the staples 10030 can be
sized and
configured to maintain the relative alignment between the legs 10032 of the
staples 10030
and the forming pockets in the opposing anvil 10060 such that the staples
10000 are
properly formed during the staple forming process. In various embodiments, the
staples
10030 and/or the cleats 10013 can be configured to prevent or at least limit
lateral
distortion within the tissue thickness compensator 10020. In at least one such
embodiment, the staples 10030 and/or cleats 10013, for example, can be
configured to
stiffen, or limit the lateral and/or longitudinal movement of, a first, or
tissue-contacting,
surface of the tissue thickness compensator relative to a second, or bottom,
surface. In
various embodiments, a staple cartridge, and/or a staple cartridge channel in
which the
staple cartridge is positioned, can comprise at least one distortion
minimizing member
which cart extend upwardly to limit the lateral and/or longitudinal movement,
or distortion,
of a tissue thickness compensator. A wrap at least partially surrounding a
tissue thickness
compensator, as discussed above, may also prevent, or at least limit, the
lateral and/or
longitudinal movement, or distortion, of the tissue thickness compensator.
[0338] In various embodiments, a staple cartridge can comprise a plurality of
staple
cavities each containing a staple positioned therein wherein the staple
cavities can be
arranged in a plurality of rows, and wherein an anvil positioned opposite the
staple
cartridge can comprise a plurality of forming pockets which correspond to the
staple
cavities in the staple cartridge. Stated another way, the anvil can comprise a
plurality of
forming pocket rows wherein each forming pocket can be positioned opposite a
staple
cavity in the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, each forming pocket
can comprise
two forming cups configured to receive the staple legs 10032 of a staple 10030
wherein
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each forming cup is configured to receive a staple leg 10032 and form or curl
the staple leg
10032 toward the other staple leg 10032, for example. In various
circumstances, the legs
10032 may miss or not properly enter into the forming cups and, as a result,
the staple
legs 10032 may become malformed during the firing sequence. In various
embodiments
described herein, an anvil can comprise an array, or grid, of forming pockets
which are
each configured to receive and form a staple leg. In at least one such
embodiment, the
array of forming pockets can comprise a quantity of forming pockets that
exceeds the
quantity of staples contained within the staple cartridge. In at least one
embodiment, a
staple cartridge can comprise six longitudinal rows of staple cavities, for
example, wherein
the anvil can comprise six rows of forming pockets aligned with the six rows
of staple
cavities and, in addition, forming pockets positioned intermediate the rows of
forming
pockets. For example, on one side of the anvil, the anvil can comprise a first
row of
forming pockets which can be positioned over a first row of staple cavities, a
second row of
forming pockets which can be positioned over a second row of staple cavities
that is
adjacent to the first row of staple cavities, and, in addition, a row of
forming pockets
positioned intermediate the first row of forming pockets and the second row of
forming
pockets.
[0339] in various embodiments, as described above, an anvil can be moved from
an
open position to a closed position in order to compress tissue against the
tissue thickness
compensator of a staple cartridge, such as tissue thickness compensator 10020,
for
example. In various circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator can be
positioned
adjacent to the support portion of the staple cartridge prior to the tissue
thickness
compensator being positioned relative to the tissue. In certain embodiments,
the tissue
thickness compensator 10020 can be in a position in which it abuts the support
portion
10018 prior to the anvil being moved into its closed position. In certain
other
embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 10020 can be in a position in
which a gap
is present between the tissue thickness compensator 10020 and the support
portion
10018. In at least one such embodiment, the anvil can displace the tissue and
the tissue
thickness compensator 10020 downwardly until the tissue thickness compensator
10020
abuts the support portion 10018 wherein, at such point, the anvil can be moved
into is
closed position and generate compression within the tissue. In the event that
a surgeon is
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not satisfied with the positioning of the tissue between the anvil and the
staple cartridge,
the surgeon can open the anvil, adjust the position of the anvil and the
staple cartridge,
and close the anvil once again. Owing to such positioning and re-positioning
of the staple
cartridge relative to the tissue, in various circumstances, the distal end of
the tissue
thickness compensator 10020 may become dislodged from the support portion
10010, for
example. In some such circumstances, the distal end of the tissue thickness
compensator
10020 can contact the tissue and peel away from, or roll relative to, the
support portion
10010. In various embodiments, as described in greater detail below, a staple
cartridge
can comprise one or more features configured to releasably retain a tissue
thickness
compensator to an underlying support portion of the staple cartridge
[0340] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 55, a staple cartridge
10300 can
comprise a support portion 10310, a tissue thickness compensator 10320
supported by the
support portion 10310, and a distal end 10302 which includes a nose 10303
configured to
releasably hold a distal end 10325 of the tissue thickness compensator 10320
in position.
In at least one embodiment, the nose 10303 can comprise a slot 10305
configured to
receive the distal end 10325 of the tissue thickness compensator 10320. In
various
embodiments, the distal end 10325 can be compressed, or wedged, within the
slot 10305
such that the distal end 10325 can be held in place as the staple cartridge
10300 is
positioned relative to the tissue. In at least one such embodiment, the slot
10305 can be
oriented in a direction which is parallel, or at least substantially parallel,
to the deck surface
10311 of the support portion 10310. In various embodiments, the slot 10305 can
he
horizontal with respect to the deck surface 10311. In various other
embodiments, referring
now to FIG. 56, a staple cartridge 10400 can comprise a support portion, a
tissue
thickness compensator 10420 supported by support portion, and a distal end
10402 which
includes a nose 10403 configured to releasably hold the distal end 10425 of
the tissue
thickness compensator 10420 in position. In at least one embodiment, the
distal end
10425 can comprise a projection extending therefrom and the nose 10403 can
comprise a
vertical slot 10405 configured to receive the projection of the distal end
10425. In various
embodiments, the distal end 10425, and/or the projection extending therefrom,
can be
compressed, or wedged, within the slot 10405 such that the distal end 10425
can be held
in place as the staple cartridge 10400 is positioned relative to the tissue.
In certain
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embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 10420 can comprise a slot, such
as slot
10429, for example, which can be configured to receive at least a portion of
the nose
10403 therein. In at least one embodiment, the slot 10405 can be oriented in a
direction
which is perpendicular, or at least substantially perpendicular, to the deck
surface 10411 of
the support portion. In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 57, a
staple cartridge
10500 can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator 10520
supported
by the support portion, and a distal end 10502 which includes a nose
configured to
releasably hold the distal end 10525 of the tissue thickness compensator 10520
in
position. In at least one embodiment, the nose can comprise a vertical slot
10505
configured to receive the distal end 10525 of the tissue thickness compensator
10520. In
various embodiments, the distal end 10525 can be compressed, or wedged, within
the slot
10505 such that the distal end 10525 can be held in place as the staple
cartridge 10500 is
positioned relative to the tissue.
[0341] In various embodiments, referring again to FIG. 55, the tissue
thickness
compensator 10320 can comprise a top surface 10324 which can be positioned
above the
top surface 10304 of the nose 10303. Another exemplary embodiment in which the
top
surface of a tissue thickness compensator is positioned above the nose of the
staple
cartridge is illusti ated in FIG. 44, wherein the top surface 10721 of the
tissue thickness
compensator 10720 is positioned above the top surface 10004 of the nose 10003,
for
example. In use, referring once again to FIG. 55, tissue can slide over the
top surface
10304 of the nose 10303 and, in some circumstance, the tissue can contact the
distal end
10325 of the tissue thickness compensator 10320 and can apply a force to the
tissue
thickness compensator 10320 tending to peel the tissue thickness compensator
10320
away from the support portion 10310. In the embodiments described herein, this
peel
force can be resisted by the portion of the distal end 10325 wedged within the
nose 10303.
In any event, once the tissue has been suitably positioned relative to the
staple cartridge
13000, an anvil can be rotated into a closed position to compress the tissue
and the tissue
thickness compensator 10320 against the support portion 10310. In at least one
such
embodiment, the anvil can be rotated into a position in which the anvil
contacts the top
surface 10304 of the nose 10303 and, as a result, the anvil can be prevented
from rotating
further. In various circumstances, owing to the top surface 10324 of the
tissue thickness
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compensator 10320 being positioned above the top surface 10304 of the nose
10303, the
top surface 10324 can be pushed downwardly toward the support portion 10310 as
the
anvil is being closed and, in some circumstances, the top surface 10324 can be
pushed
below the top surface 10304 of the nose 10303, for example. After the staples
contained
within the staple cartridge 10300 have been deployed and the tissue thickness
compensator 10320 has been incised, as described herein, the support portion
10310 and
the nose 10303 can be moved away from the tissue thickness compensator 10320
such
that the distal end 10325 of the tissue thickness compensator 10320 can slide
out of the
slot 10305.
[0342] As described above, an anvil, such as anvil 10060, for example, can be
rotated
into a closed position in which the anvil 10060 contacts the top nose surface
10004 of a
staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 10000, for example. Once the anvil
has reached
its closed position, the amount in which a tissue thickness compensator, such
as tissue
thickness compensator 10020, for example, is compressed will depend on, among
other
things, the uncompressed thickness, or height, of the tissue thickness
compensator and
the thickness of the tissue. Referring now to FIGS. 42 and 43, a tissue
thickness
compensator 10920 can comprise a top surface which is flush, or at least
substantially
flush, with the top surface 10004 of the nose 10003. In such embodiments, the
top surface
of the tissue thickness compensator 10920 can be pushed below the top surface
10004 of
the nose 10003. Referring now to FIGS. 47 and 48, a tissue thickness
compensator, such
as tissue thickness compensator 10820, for example, can comprise a top surface
10821
which is positioned below the top nose surface 10004 prior to the tissue
thickness
compensator 10820 being compressed by the tissue T and anvil 10060. In the
circumstances where the tissue T is relatively thin, as illustrated in FIGS.
45 and 46, the
tissue thickness compensator 10920 may undergo relatively little compression.
Referring
now to FIGS. 47 and 48, the tissue thickness compensator 10820 may undergo a
larger
compression when the tissue T is relatively thicker. In the circumstances
where the tissue
T has both thin sections and thicker sections, as illustrated in FIGS. 47 and
48, the tissue
thickness compensator 10820 may be compressed a larger amount when it is
positioned
under the thicker tissue T and a lesser amount when it is positioned under the
thinner
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tissue T, for example. In this way, as described above, the tissue thickness
compensator
can compensate for different tissue thicknesses.
[0343] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 58 and 59, a surgical
stapling
instrument can comprise, one, a cartridge channel 16670 configured to receive
a staple
cartridge 16600 and. two, an anvil 16660 pivotably coupled to the cartridge
channel 16670.
The staple cartridge 16600 can comprise a support portion 16610 and a tissue
thickness
compensator 16620 wherein a distal end 16625 of the tissue thickness
compensator
16620 can be releasably held to the support portion 16610 by a nose 16603 at
the distal
end 16602 of the staple cartridge 16600. In at least one embodiment, the nose
16603 can
comprise a slot 16605 and can be comprised of a flexible material. In use,
referring
primarily to FIG. 58, the nose 16603 can be flexed downwardly in order to
expand the
opening of slot 16605. In certain embodiments, the nose 16603 can comprise
notches or
cut-outs 16606 which can be configured to permit the nose 16603 to flex
downwardly. In
any event, in various circumstances, the expanded opening of the slot 16605
can facilitate
the insertion of the distal end 16625 of the tissue thickness compensator
16620 into the
slot 16605. Once the tissue thickness compensator 16620 has been suitably
positioned,
the nose 16603 can be released and, owing to the resiliency of the material
comprising the
nose 16603, the nose 16603 can return, or at least substantially return, to
its unflexed
condition and trap the distal end 16625 of the tissue thickness compensator
16620 against
the deck surface 16611, as illustrated in FIG. 59. In use, similar to the
above, the distal
end 16625 can be pulled out of the slot 16605 when the support portion 16610
is moved
away from the stapled tissue. In various circumstances, the flexible nose
16603 can be
configured to deflect as the tissue thickness compensator 16620 is detached
from the
support portion 16610. In various embodiments, referring again to FIG. 59, the
tissue
thickness compensator 16620 can comprise a top surface 16621 which is aligned,
or at
least substantially aligned, with a top surface 16604 of the nose 16603.
[0344] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 60-61, a staple
cartridge, such as
staple cartridge 11400, for example, can comprise a tissue thickness
compensator 11420
removably attached to a support portion 11410. In at least one embodiment, the
staple
cartridge 11400 can comprise one or more retainer bars 11413 which can be
configured to
hold the longitudinal sides of the tissue thickness compensator 11420 to the
deck surface
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11411. In at least one such embodiment, each retainer bar 11413 can comprise
opposing
arms 11418 which can define a channel 11416 therebetween. In such embodiments,
one
of the arms 11418 can be configured to extend over the tissue thickness
compensator
11420 and the other arm 11418 can be configured to extend under a lip 11419
extending
from the support portion 11410. Referring primarily to FIG. 60, the channel
11416 of each
retainer bar 11413 can be sized and configured to apply a compressive force to
the
longitudinal sides of the tissue thickness compensator 11420 prior to the
staple cartridge
11400 being used. During use, referring primarily to FIG. 61, the staple
cartridge 11400
can be positioned within a staple cartridge channel and, once the staple
cartridge 11400
has been suitably positioned, an anvil, such as anvil 11460, for example, can
be moved
into a position in which it can compress the tissue thickness compensator
11420. Similar
to the above, the thickness tissue compensator 11420, when compressed, can
expand
laterally, or outwardly, and, as a result, detach the retainer bars 11413 from
the staple
cartridge 11400. In certain other embodiments, the closing of the anvil 11460
may not
detach, or may not completely detach, the retainer bars 11413 from the staple
cartridge.
In at least one such embodiment, the advancement of a firing bar, described
above,
through the staple cartridge 11400 can deploy the staples 10030 from the
support portion
11410 and, simultaneously, squeeze the anvil 11460 and the staple cartridge
11400 closer
together to apply a compressive force to the tissue thickness compensator
11420 that is
sufficient to cause the tissue thickness compensator 11420 to expand laterally
and detach
the retainer bars 11413 from the staple cartridge 11400. Once the retainer
bars 11413
have been detached from the staple cartridge 11400, the support portion 11410
can be
moved away from the implanted tissue thickness compensator 11420 and removed
from
the surgical site.
[0345] In various embodiments, further to the above, a staple cartridge can
comprise a
plurality of fasteners configured to releasably hold a tissue thickness
compensator to a
support portion of the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the support
portion can
comprise a plurality of apertures defined in the deck surface, for example,
wherein the
fasteners can extend through the tissue thickness compensator and can be
releasably
retained in the support portion apertures. In use, the fasteners can be
progressively
released from the support portion as the staples are progressively ejected
from the support
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portion. In at least one such embodiment, the fasteners can be implanted with
the tissue
thickness compensator and, in at least one embodiment, the fasteners can be
comprised
of at least one bioabsorbable material, for example. In certain embodiments,
the fasteners
can detach from the support portion after the tissue thickness compensator has
been at
least partially implanted and as the support portion is moved away from the
implanted
tissue thickness compensator. In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS.
130-131, a
staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 11600, for example, can comprise a
tissue
thickness compensator 11620 releasably mounted to a support portion 11610 by a
plurality
of fasteners 11613. Each fastener 11613 can comprise a first end 11618
embedded within
and/or otherwise engaged with the tissue thickness compensator 11620, a second
end
11618 engaged with the support portion 11610, and a connector 11616 which
connects
the first end 11618 to the second end 11618. In various embodiments, the
fasteners
11613 can extend through a knife slot 11615 defined in the support portion
11610. In use,
a firing member 10052 can move a knife edge through the knife slot 11615 in
the support
portion 11610 and incise the fasteners 11613 in order to release the tissue
thickness
compensator 11620 from the support portion 11610. In at least one such
embodiment, the
firing bar 10052 can be advanced from a proximal end of the staple cartridge
11600 to a
distal end of the staple cartridge 11000 in order to, one, advance the sled
10050 distally
and progressively fire the staples 10030, as discussed above, and, two,
progressively
incise and/or break the fasteners 11613 to progressively release the tissue
thickness
compensator 11620 from the support portion 11610. In certain embodiments,
similar to
the above, the tissue thickness compensator 11620 can comprise a plurality of
detachable
segments which can each be held to support portion 11610 by one or more
fasteners
11613, for example. In the event that the firing member 10052 is stopped
intermediate the
proximal end and the distal end of the staple cartridge 11600, as illustrated
in FIG. 130,
the fasteners 11613 can assist in holding the unimplanted portion of the
tissue thickness
compensator 11620 to the support portion 11610 after the anvil 11660 is opened
and the
support portion 11610 is moved away from the tissue T, as illustrated in FIG.
131. In
various embodiments, further to the above, the cutting edge 10053 of the
firing member
10052 can be configured to incise and/or break the fasteners 11613.
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[0346] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 132, a staple
cartridge can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator, such as tissue thickness compensator
15120,
for example, which can comprise a plurality of portions having different
thicknesses. In at
least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator 15120 can comprise a
first, or
inner, portion 15122a which can have a first thickness, second, or
intermediate, portions
15122b extending from the first portion 15122b which can each have a second
thickness,
and third, or outer, portions 15122c extending from the second portions 15122b
which can
each have a third thickness. In at least one such embodiment, the third
thickness can be
thicker than the second thickness and the second thickness can be thicker than
the first
thickness, for example, although any suitable thicknesses could be utilized in
various other
embodiments. In various embodiments, the portions 15122a-15122c of the tissue
thickness compensator 15120 can comprise steps having different thickness. In
at least
one embodiment, similar to the above, a staple cartridge can comprise several
rows of
staples 10030 and a plurality of staple drivers having different heights which
can deform
the staples 10030 to different formed heights. Also similar to the above, the
staple
cartridge can comprise first staple drivers 15140a which can drive the staples
10030
supported thereon to a first formed height, second staple drivers 15140b which
can drive
the staples 10030 supported thereon to a second formed height, and third
staple drivers
which can drive the staples 10030 supported thereon to a third formed height,
wherein the
first formed height can be shorter than the second formed height and the
second formed
height can be shorter than the third formed height, for example. In various
embodiments,
as illustrated in FIG. 132, each staple 10030 can comprise the same, or
substantially the
same, unformed, or unfired, height. In certain other embodiments, referring
now to FIG.
133, the first drivers 15140a, the second drivers 15140b, and/or the third
drivers 15140c
can support staples having different unformed heights. In at least one such
embodiment,
the first staple drivers 15140a can support staples 15130a having a first
unformed height,
the second staple drivers 15140b can support staples 15130b having a second
unformed
height, and the third staple drivers 15140c can support staples 15130c having
a third
unformed height, wherein the first unformed height can be shorter than the
second
unformed height and the second unformed height can be shorter than the third
unformed
height, for example. In various embodiments, referring again to FIG. 133, the
tips of the
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staples 15130a, 15130b, and/or 15130c can lie, or at least substantially lie,
in the same
plane while, in other embodiments, the tips of the staples 15130a, 15130b,
and/or 15130c
may not lie in same plane.
[0347] In certain embodiments, referring now to FIG. 154, a staple cartridge
can include
a tissue thickness compensator 15220 having a plurality of portions having
different
thickness which can be implanted against the tissue T by the staples 15130a,
15130b, and
15130c. as described above. In at least one embodiment, referring now to FIG.
155, the
staples 15130a, 15130b, and/or 15130c can be deformed to different formed
heights
wherein the first staples 15130a can be formed to a first formed height, the
second staples
15130b can be formed to a second formed height, and the third staples 15130c
can be
formed to a third formed height, and wherein the first formed height can be
shorter than the
second formed height and the second formed height can be shorter than the
third formed
height, for example. Other embodiments are envisioned in which the staples
15130a.
15130b, and 15130c can be formed to any suitable formed heights and/or any
relative
formed heights.
[0348] As discussed above and referring to FIG. 134, a staple cartridge, such
as staple
cartridge 10000, for example, can comprise a support portion 10010 and a
tissue thickness
compensator 10020 wherein a plurality of staples 10030 can be at least
partially stored in
the support portion 10010 and can extend into the tissue thickness compensator
10020
when the staples 10030 are in their unfired position. In various embodiments,
the tips of
the staples 10030 do not protrude from the tissue thickness compensator 10020
when the
staples 10030 are in their unfired positions. As the staples 10030 are moved
from their
unfired positions to their fired positions by the staple drivers 10040, as
discussed above,
the tips of the staples 10030 can penetrate through the tissue thickness
compensator
10020 and/or penetrate through the upper layer, or skin, 10022. In certain
alternative
embodiments, the tips of the staples 10030 can protrude through the top
surface of the
tissue thickness compensator 10020 and/or skin 10022 when the staples 10030
are in
their unfired position. In either event, the staples 10030, as they extend
upwardly out of
the support portion 10010 prior to being deployed, may tilt and/or deflect
relative to the
support portion, as also discussed above.
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[0349] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 140, a staple cartridge
can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator 13620 and a skin, or top layer, 13621,
for
example. In at least one such embodiment, one or more pledgets, or retainers,
13622, for
example, can be embedded in the skin 13621. In certain embodiments, each
retainer
13622 can comprise one or more apertures 13629 defined therein which can be
configured
to receive the staple legs 13032 of staples 13030 therein when the staples
13030 are in
their unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 140. In use, further to the
above, the staple legs
10032 can slide through the apertures 13629 when the staples 13030 are moved
from
their unfired position to their fired position until the bases 13031 of the
staples 13030
contact the tissue thickness compensator 13620 and compress at least a portion
of the
tissue thickness compensator 13620 against the bottom surfaces of the pledgets
13622,
for example. In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 135, a staple
cartridge can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator 13120 and a skin, or top layer, 13122,
for
example. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator
13120 can
comprise conical bumps, projections, and/or protrusions 13128, for example,
which can
extend upwardly from the top surface 13121 of the tissue thickness compensator
13120.
The projections 13128 can be configured to receive and envelop the tips of the
staple legs
13032 of the staples 13030 when the staples 13030 are in their unfired
position, as
illustrated in FIG. 135. The top layer 13122 can also comprise conical bumps,
projections,
and/or protrusions 13129 which can be aligned, or at least substantially
aligned, with the
projections 13128. In use, the staple legs 10032 can penetrate the projections
13128 and
13129 and emerge from the tissue thickness compensator 13120. In various
embodiments, referring now to FIG. 139, a staple cartridge can comprise a
tissue
thickness compensator 13520 and a skin, or top layer, 13522, for example. In
at least one
such embodiment, the skin 13522 can comprise conical bumps, projections,
and/or
protrusions 13529, for example. which can extend upwardly from the top surface
13521 of
the tissue thickness compensator 13520. Similar to the above, the projections
13529 can
be configured to receive and envelop the tips of the staple legs 13032 of the
staples 13030
when the staples 13030 are in their unfired position, as illustrated in FIG.
139. In use, the
staple legs 10032 can penetrate the projections 13529 and emerge from the skin
13522.
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[0350] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 136, a staple cartridge
can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator 13220 and a skin, or top layer, 13222,
for
example. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator
13220 can
comprise conical dimples and/or recesses 13128, for example, which can extend
downwardly into the top surface 13221 of the tissue thickness compensator
13220. In
various embodiments, the tips of the staple legs 13032 can extend through the
recesses
13128 when the staples 13030 are in their unfired position, as illustrated in
FIG. 136. In at
least one embodiment, the top layer 13222 can also comprise conical dimples
and/or
recesses 13229 which can be aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with
the recesses
13228. In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 137, a staple cartridge
can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator 13320 and a skin, or top layer. 13322,
for
example. In at least one such embodiment, the skin 13320 can comprise thick
portions
13329 which can extend downwardly into the top surface 13321 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 13320. In various circumstances, the thick portions 13329 can be
configured
to receive at least a portion of the staple legs 13032 of the staples 13030
therein when the
staples 13030 are in their unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 137. In
such
embodiments, the thick portions 13329 can hold the staple legs 13032 in
position such that
the legs 13032 are aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the staple-
forming
pockets of an anvil positioned opposite the tissue thickness compensator
13320. In
various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 138, a staple cartridge can
comprise a tissue
thickness compensator 13420 and a skin, or top layer, 13422, for example. In
at least one
such embodiment, the skin 13422 can comprise thick portions 13429 which can
extend
upwardly from the top surface 13421 of the tissue thickness compensator 13420.
In
various circumstances, the thick portions 13429 can be configured to receive
at least a
portion of the staple legs 13032 of the staples 13030 therein when the staples
13030 are in
their unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 138. In such embodiments, the
thick portions
13429 can hold the staple legs 13032 in position such that the legs 13032 are
aligned, or
at least substantially aligned, with the staple-forming pockets of an anvil
positioned
opposite the tissue thickness compensator 13420.
[0351] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 141 and 142, a staple
cartridge
can comprise a tissue thickness compensator 13720 and a skin, or top layer,
13721, for
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example. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator
13720 can
comprise pyramidal and/or stepped bumps, projections, and/or protrusions
13728, for
example, which can extend upwardly from the top surface 13721 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 13720. The projections 13728 can be configured to receive and
envelop the
tips of the staple legs 13032 of the staples 13030 when the staples 13030 are
in their
unfired position, as illustrated in FIG. 142. Similarly, the top layer 13721
can comprise
pyramidal and/or stepped bumps, projections, and/or protrusions 13729 which
can be
aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the projections 13728. In
various
embodiments, the skin 13721 can further comprise one or more teeth 13727
extending
upwardly from the projections 13729 which can be configured to engage tissue
positioned
against the top layer 13721 and prevent, or at least limit, relative lateral
and/or longitudinal
movement between the tissue, the top layer 13721, and/or the tips of the
staple legs
13032. In use, the staple legs 13032 can penetrate the projections 13728 and
13729 and
emerge from the tissue thickness compensator 13720 when the staples 13030 are
moved
from their unfired positions to their fired positions. In various embodiments,
referring now
to FIGS. 143 and 144, a staple cartridge can comprise a tissue thickness
compensator
13820 and a skin, or top layer, 13821, for example. In at least one such
embodiment, the
tissue thickness compensator 13820 can comprise pyramidal and/or stepped
bumps,
projections, and/or protrusions 13828, for example, which can extend upwardly
from the
top surface 13821 of the tissue thickness compensator 13820. The projections
13828 can
be configured to receive and envelop the tips of the staple legs 13032 of the
staples 13030
when the staples 13030 are in their unfired position, as illustrated in FIG.
144. Similarly,
the top layer 13821 can comprise pyramidal and/or stepped bumps, projections,
and/or
protrusions 13829 which can be aligned, or at least substantially aligned,
with the
projections 13828. In various embodiments, the top layer 13821 can further
comprise one
or more teeth 13827 extending downwardly into the tissue thickness compensator
13820
which can be configured to prevent, or at least limit, relative lateral and/or
longitudinal
movement between the top layer 13821 and the tissue thickness compensator
13820, for
example. In use, the staple legs 10032 can penetrate the projections 13828 and
13829
and emerge from the tissue thickness compensator 13820 when the staples 13030
are
moved from their unfired positions and their fired positions.
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[0352] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 145, a staple cartridge
can
comprise a tissue thickness compensator, such as tissue thickness compensator
13920,
for example, which can include ridges 13923 and valleys 13924 defined therein
wherein, in
at least one embodiment, the valleys 13924 can be defined between the ridges
13923. In
various embodiments, each ridge 13923 can comprise the same height,
substantially the
same height, or different heights. Similarly, each valley 13924 can comprise
the same
depth, substantially the same depth, or different depths. In various
embodiments, a
plurality of staples 13030 can be at least partially stored within the tissue
thickness
compensator 13920 such that the tips of the staples 13030 can be positioned
within the
ridges 13923. In at least one such embodiment, the staple legs 13032 of the
staples
13030 may not protrude from the tissue thickness compensator 13920 and/or a
skin, or top
layer, 13921 attached to the tissue thickness compensator 13920, for example,
when the
staples 13030 are stored in their unfired position. In various embodiments,
the ridges
13923 and/or the valleys 13924 can extend laterally across the staple
cartridge. In at least
one such embodiment, the staple cartridge can comprise a longitudinal knife
slot wherein
the ridges 13923 and the valleys 13924 can extend in a direction which is
transverse
and/or perpendicular to the knife slot. In various circumstances, the ridges
13923 can be
configured to hold the tips of the staple legs 13032 in position until the
staples 13030 are
moved from their unfired position into their fired position. In various
embodiments,
referring now to FIG. 146, a tissue thickness compensator, and/or a skin
covering a tissue
thickness compensator, can comprise longitudinal ridges and/or valleys. In at
least one
such embodiment, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a top surface
defined by
ridges 14023 and valleys 14024, wherein the valleys 14024 can be defined
between the
ridges 14023, for example. In various embodiments. the tissue thickness
compensator
can comprise a skin 14021 which can include a plurality of apertures 14029
defined therein
which can each be configured to receive a staple leg 13032. In certain
embodiments, the
apertures 14029 can be defined in the ridges 14023 wherein the tips of the
staple legs
13032 may be positioned below the peaks 14028 of the ridges 14029, positioned
flush with
the peaks 14028, and/or positioned above the peaks 14028. In certain
embodiments, in
addition to or in lieu of the above, the apertures 14029 can be defined in the
valleys 14024,
for example. In certain embodiments, each aperture can be surrounded, or at
least
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partially surrounded, by an embossment, for example, which can strengthen the
skin
and/or tissue thickness compensator surrounding the apertures. In any event,
further to
the above, the skin 14021 can be attached to a tissue thickness compensator in
any
suitable manner, including using at least one adhesive, for example.
10353] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 148, a disposable loading
unit
15900, for example, can comprise an anvil 15960 and a staple cartridge channel
15970
wherein the staple cartridge channel 15970 can rotate relative to the anvil
15960. In at
least one such embodiment, the anvil 15960 may not be able to rotate. In
certain
embodiments, tissue can be positioned between the anvil 15960 and the staple
cartridge
channel 15970 and, thereafter, the staple cartridge channel 15970 can be
rotated toward
the tissue to clamp the tissue against the anvil. In at least one such
embodiment, the
disposable loading unit 15900 can further comprise a tissue thickness
compensator 15920
which can be configured to contact the tissue.
10354] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 149-151, a disposable
loading
unit 12900 can comprise a loading assembly including a bottom portion 12922
which can
be removably attached to the support portion 12610, a top portion 12990 which
can be
removably attached to the anvil 12560, and a flexible joint 12991 connecting
the bottom
portion 12922 and the top portion 12990. Similar to the above, a longitudinal
retention rail
12825 can extend downwardly from the bottom portion 12922 and into the knife
slot 12615
defined in the support portion 12610 such that the bottom portion 12922 can be
releasably
retained to the support portion 12610. Similarly, a longitudinal retention
rail 12995 can
extend upwardly from the top portion 12990 into a knife slot defined in the
anvil 12560
such that the top portion 12990 can be releasably retained to the anvil 12560.
As
illustrated in FIGS. 150 and 151, a tissue thickness compensator 12620 can be
mounted to
the bottom portion 12922 of the loading assembly wherein, in order to position
the tissue
thickness compensator 12620 relative to the support portion 12610, a clinician
could flex
the top portion 12990 and the bottom portion 12922 toward one another,
position the
loading assembly between the anvil 12560 and the support portion 12610, and
release the
flexed loading assembly such that it can resiliently expand and bias the top
portion 12990
against the anvil 12560 and the bottom portion 12922 against the support
portion 12610.
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[0355] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 152, a staple cartridge,
such as
staple cartridge 14900, for example, can comprise a support portion 14910 and,
in
addition, a tissue thickness compensator 14920 positioned against the support
portion
14910. Similar to the above, the support portion 14910 can comprise staple
drivers which
can be lifted upwardly by a staple-deploying sled in order to lift staples,
such as staples
10030, for example, at least partially positioned within the support portion
14910 toward an
anvil, such as anvil 10060, for example, positioned opposite the staple
cartridge 14900. In
certain embodiments, the support portion 14910 can comprise six rows of staple
cavities,
such as two outer rows of staple cavities, two inner rows of staple cavities,
and two
intermediate rows of staple cavities positioned intermediate the inner rows
and the outer
rows, for example, wherein the anvil 10060 can comprise six rows of forming
pockets
10062 aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the staple cavities. In
various
embodiments, the inner rows of staple cavities can include staple drivers
14940a
positioned therein, the intermediate rows of staple cavities can include
staple drivers
14940b positioned therein, and the outer rows of staple cavities can include
staple drivers
14940c positioned therein, wherein each of the staple drivers 14940a can
include a cradle
14949a configured to support a staple 10030, wherein each of the staple
drivers 14940b
can include a cradle 14949b configured to support a staple 10030, and wherein
each of
the staple drivers 14940c can include a cradle 149490 configured to support a
staple
10030. In their unfired positions, i.e., when the staple drivers 14940a-14940c
are sitting on
driver supports 14926 which extend underneath the support portion 14910, the
cradles
14949a of the staple drivers 14940a can be positioned closer to the anvil
10060 than the
cradles 14949b of the staple drivers 14940b and the cradles 14949c of the
staple drivers
14940c. In such a position, a first forming distance can be defined between
the cradles
14949a and the forming pockets 10062 positioned over the cradles 14949a, a
second
forming distance can be defined between the cradles 14949b and the forming
pockets
10062 positioned over the cradles 14949b, and a third forming distance can be
defined
between the cradles 14949c and the forming pockets 10062 positioned over the
cradles
14949c, wherein, in various embodiments, the first forming distance can be
shorter than
the second forming distance and the second forming distance can be shorter
than the third
forming distance, for example. When the staple drivers 14940a-14940c are moved
from
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their unfired positions (FIG. 152) to their fired positions, each staple
driver 14940a-14940c
can be moved upwardly an equal, or an at least substantially equal, distance
toward the
anvil 10060 by the staple-deploying sled such that the first drivers 14940a
drive their
respective staples 10030 to a first formed height, the second drivers 14940b
drive their
respective staples 10030 to a second formed height, and the third drivers
14940c drive
their respective staples 10030 to a third formed height, wherein the first
formed height can
be shorter than the second formed height and the second formed height can be
shorter
than the third formed height, for example. Various other embodiments are
envisioned in
which the first staple drivers 14940a are displaced upwardly a first distance,
the second
staple drivers 14940b are displaced upwardly a second distance, and the third
staple
drivers 14940c are displaced upwardly a third distance, wherein one or more of
the first
distance, the second distance, and the third distance can be different.
[0356] In various embodiments, referring again to FIG. 152, the deck surface
14911 of
the support portion 14910 can vary in height with respect to the tissue-
contacting surface
10061 of the anvil 10060. In certain embodiments, this height variation can
occur laterally
and, in at least one embodiment, the height of the deck surface 14911
surrounding the
inner rows of staple cavities can be higher than the deck surface 14911
surrounding the
outer lows of staple cavities, foi example. In vai ious embodiments, the
bottom surface
14922 of the tissue thickness compensator 14920 can be configured to parallel,
or at least
substantially parallel, the deck surface 14911 of the support portion 14910.
Further to the
above, the tissue thickness compensator 14920 can also vary in thickness
wherein, in at
least one embodiment, the top, or tissue-contacting, surface 14921 of the
tissue thickness
compensator 14920 can slope inwardly from the outside or lateral edges
thereof. In at
least one such embodiment, as a result of the above, the tissue thickness
compensator
14920 can be thinner in a region positioned over the inner rows of staple
cavities and
thicker in a region positioned over the outer rows of staple cavities, for
example. In various
embodiments, referring now to FIG. 153, the deck surface of a support portion
15010 can
comprise a stepped deck surface, for example, wherein the highest steps of the
stepped
surface can surround the inner rows of staple cavities and the lowest steps of
the stepped
surface can surround the outer rows of staple cavities, for example. In at
least one such
embodiment, steps having an intermediate height can surround the intermediate
rows of
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staple cavities. In certain embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator, such
as tissue
thickness compensator 15020, for example, can comprise a bottom surface which
can
parallel and abut the deck surface of the support portion 15010. in at least
one
embodiment, the top, or tissue-contacting, surface 15021 of the tissue
thickness
compensator can comprise an arcuate, parabolic, and/or curved surface, for
example,
which, in at least one such embodiment, can extend from a first lateral side
of the tissue
thickness compensator 15020 to a second lateral side of the tissue thickness
compensator
15020 with an apex aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the center
of the staple
cartridge 15000, for example.
[0357] I n various embodiments, further to the above, a staple-firing sled
10050 of a
staple cartridge 10000 can be moved from a proximal end of the staple
cartridge 10000
toward a distal end 10002 of the staple cartridge, as illustrated in FIGS. 161
and 162, by a
firing member, illustrated elsewhere. As the sled 10050 is advanced, the sled
10050 can
contact the staple drivers 10040 and lift the staple drivers 10040 upwardly
within the staple
cavities 10012 defined in a cartridge body 10010 of the staple cartridge
10000. In at least
one embodiment, the sled 10050 and the staple drivers 10040 can each comprise
one or
more ramps, or inclined surfaces, which can co-operate to move the staple
drivers 10040,
and the staples supported thereon, upwardly from their unfired positions. The
staple
cartridge 10000 can further comprise a pan 10027, for example, which can at
least partially
surround the bottom of the cartridge body 10010 and at least partially contain
the staple
drivers 10040 within the cartridge body 10010. The cartridge body 10010 can
further
comprise a longitudinal slot 10016 defined therein which can be configured to
at least
partially receive the firing member as it passes through the staple cartridge
10000.
[0358] Turning now to FIG. 163, the staples contained within the staple
cartridge body
10010 can be fired sequentially between a proximal end 10001 and a distal end
10002 of
the staple cartridge 10000. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 10000
can
comprise staple drivers 10040a, 10040b, and 10040c, for example, which can
fire the
staples in a predetermined manner. For instance, the staple cartridge 10000
can comprise
a proximal driver 10040c positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot
10016 and a
second proximal driver 10040c positioned on a second, or opposite, side of the
slot 10016.
Each driver 10040c can be configured to fire two staples, i.e., the two
proximal-most
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staples, simultaneously. Such staples are positioned in the staple cavities
designated
10012c. In fact, of the two staple cavities designated 10012c on each side of
the slot
10016, such staple cavities 10012c can comprise a distal staple cavity
designated 10013c
and a proximal staple cavity 10014c. The reader will appreciate that the
staple cavity
10013c is positioned in a different staple row than the staple cavity 10014c.
In fact, the
staple cavities 10013c and 10014c may be located in the two innermost rows of
staples
with the third, outermost, staple row not having a staple which is fired by a
driver 10040c.
Furthermore, the staple cartridge 10000 can comprise an intermediate driver
10040b
positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot 10016 and a second
intermediate driver
10040b positioned on a second, or opposite, side of the slot 10016. Each
driver 10040b
can be configured to fire three staples simultaneously. Such staples are
positioned in the
staple cavities designated 10012b. In fact, of the three staple cavities
designated 10012b
on each side of the slot 10016, such staple cavities 10012b can comprise a
distal staple
cavity designated 10013b, an intermediate staple cavity 10014b, and a distal
staple cavity
10015b. The reader will also appreciate that the staple cavities 10013b,
10014b, and
10015b are all positioned in different staple rows. In addition, the staple
cartridge 10000
can comprise a distal driver 10040a positioned on a first side of the
longitudinal slot 10015
and a second distal driver 10040a positioned on a second, or opposite, side of
the slot
10015. Each driver 10040a can be configured to fire four staples
simultaneously. Such
staples are positioned in the staple cavities designated 10012a. In fact, of
the four staple
cavities designated 10012a on each side of the slot 10016, such staple
cavities 10012a
can comprise two distal staple cavities designated 10013a, an intermediate
staple cavity
10014a, and a distal staple cavity 10015a. The reader will also appreciate
that the staple
cavities 10013a, 10014a, and 10015a are all positioned in an array extending
across all
three staple rows on a side of the longitudinal slot 10016. In fact, the
distal-most staples
positioned within the distal-most cavities 10013a within the cartridge body
10010 are
positioned in the inner and outer staple rows and extend distally with respect
to the distal-
most staple cavity 10014a in the intermediate row positioned between the inner
row and
outer row of staple cavities. While only a few staple drivers 10040a, 10040b,
and 10040c
are discussed above, the staple cartridge 10000 can comprise any suitable
number of
staple drivers to eject the staples from the staple cavities. Such staple
drivers can eject
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two, three, four, and/or more staples simultaneously. With particular
reference to FIG. 18,
a staple cartridge can comprise one or more staple drivers 41040a, for
example,
configured to support two staples thereon, one or more drivers 41040b, for
example,
configured to support three staples thereon, and/or one or more staple drivers
41040c
configured to support four staples thereon. In various embodiments, the last,
or distal-
most, drivers contained within a cartridge can comprise drivers 41040c which
can include
two distal support cradles 41041c which can hold the last staples in a staple
line. For
instance, the drivers 41040a-c support staples in six staple lines and drivers
41040c
support the last staples in four of those lines. Such staples can be aligned,
or at least
substantially aligned, along an axis which is perpendicular to a cut path
which extends
along a longitudinal axis. Such staples, owing to their arrangement, can
provide various
hemostatic advantages. The last staples in the other two staple lines can be
supported by
cradles 41041b.
(0359] In various embodiments, a staple cartridge for a surgical stapler can
include a
layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for
example,
arranged on a staple deck of a staple cartridge. In use, the layer and patient
tissue can be
captured by staples when the staples are fired. Then, the layer can be
separated from the
surgical stapler and can remain in the patient when the stapler is removed
from the patient.
In certain embodiments, a distal end of the layer can be attached to the
staple cartridge to
stabilize the layer relative to the staple cartridge while the staple
cartridge and the layer
are being positioned relative to patient tissue.
[0360] In certain embodiments in which a distal end of the layer is attached
to the staple
cartridge, the staple cartridge can include a distally-arranged cufting blade
that cuts the
layer free from the distal end that is attached to the staple cartridge. FIGS.
81A-83
illustrate a staple cartridge assembly 2300 that includes a staple cartridge
2330 and a
distal cutting blade 2324 arranged in a distal cavity 2332 of the staple
cartridge 2330. As
described in greater detail below, the distal cutting blade 2324 can be moved
from an
undeployed position within the distal cavity 2332 to a deployed positioned in
which the
cutting blade 2324 extends out of the distal cavity 2332 to sever a distal end
portion 2316
of a layer 2306 arranged on the staple cartridge.
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[0361] Referring to FIGS. 82 and 83, in various embodiments, the distal
portion 2316 of
the layer 2306 can be attached to the staple cartridge 2300 by being captured
between the
staple cartridge 2300 and a panel 2310 extending proximally from a nose 2308
of the
staple cartridge assembly 2300. In certain embodiments, the layer 2306 can be
captured
by being compressed between the staple cartridge 2330 and the panel 2310. Put
differently, a gap between the staple cartridge 2330 and the panel 2310 can be
smaller
than a thickness of the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 positioned in
the gap so that
the distal portion 2316 is compressed between the staple cartridge 2330 and
the panel
2310. In certain embodiments, referring to FIGS. 82 and 83, the distal portion
2316 of the
layer 2306 can include one or more apertures 2320. One or more pegs 2318 can
extend
from the panel 2308 and pass through the apertures 2320 to capture the distal
portion
2316 of the layer 2306. In certain embodiments, the distal portion 2316 of the
layer 2306
can be attached to the staple cartridge 2330 by adhesives, welding, and/or
heat staking,
for example.
[0362] The distal cutting blade 2324 that severs the distal portion 2316 of
the layer 2306
from the remainder of the layer 2306 can be arranged in a distal cavity 2332
of the staple
cartridge 2330. The distal cavity 2332 and the distal cutting blade 2324 can
be positioned
such that the distal cutting blade 2324 can sever the distal portion 2316 of
the layer 2306
at a proximal location relative to a location where the distal portion 2316 is
attached to the
staple cartridge 2330. For example, referring to FIGS. 82 and 83, the distal
cutting blade
2324 can sever the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 at a proximal
location relative to
the pegs 2318 and apertures 2320 that attach the distal portion 2316 to the
staple
cartridge 2330. As a result, when the distal cutting blade 2324 severs the
distal portion
2316 of the layer 2306, the remainder of the layer 2306 can be released from
the staple
cartridge.
[0363] The distal cutting blade 2324 can include a cam 2322 that can push the
distal
cutting blade 2324 out of the distal cavity 2332. The cam 2322 can engage
rails and/or
channels 2334 in the distal cavity 2332 that can constrain the movement of the
cam 2322
and the distal cutting blade 2324 to a particular direction as the blade 2324
extends out of
the distal cavity 2332. The rails and/or channels 2334 are illustrated in
FIGS. 82 and 83 as
being perpendicular to the staple deck 2302 of the staple cartridge 2330. In
such an
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arrangement, when moved from an undeployed position (shown in FIG. 82) to a
deployed
position (shown in FIG. 83), the distal cutting blade 2324 can extend from the
distal cavity
2332 in a direction that is perpendicular to the staple deck 2302 of the
staple cartridge
2330. In various embodiments, the rails and/or channels 2334 can be arranged
at any
suitable angle relative to the staple deck 2302 of the staple cartridge 2330.
For example,
the rails or channels 2334 can be arranged at a 30 angle relative to the
staple deck 2302
of the staple cartridge 2330 such that the distal cutting blade 2324 extends
out of the distal
cavity 2322 partially in a distal direction that is 30 from perpendicular
relative to the staple
deck 2302 of the staple cartridge 2330.
[0364] To deploy the distal cutting blade, the cam 2322 can be pushed by a
firing
member 2326. The firing member 2326 can be arranged in a slot in the staple
cartridge
2330, such as the knife slot 2304, for example. The firing member 2326 can
include cam
surfaces 2328 and 2329 that can engage the cam 2322 to displace the cam 2322
and the
distal cutting blade 2324 towards the layer 2306. The firing member 2326 can
move
distally relative to the cam 2322 and the distal cutting blade 2324 from an
unactuated
position to an actuated position to deploy the cutting blade 2324 and sever
the distal
portion 2316 of the layer 2306. FIG. 82 illustrates the firing member 2326 in
an unactuated
position in which the cam surfaces 2328 and 2329 have not engaged the cam
2322. In
various embodiments, one or both of the surfaces 2328 and 2329 of the firing
member
2326 can be in contact the cam in an unactuated position so long as the distal
cutting
blade 2324 is not pushed out of the distal cavity 2332. As the firing member
2326 moves
distally to an actuated position illustrated in FIG. 83, the cam surfaces 2328
of the firing
member 2326 engage the cam 2322 to progressively push the cam 2322 and the
distal
cutting blade 2324 to a deployed position such that the distal cutting blade
severs the
distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306.
[0365] As described above, the cam 2322 can engage rails and/or channels 2334
in the
distal cavity 2332. Furthermore, the rails and/or channels 2334 can be
arranged at an
angle relative to the staple deck 2302 of the staple cartridge 2330. In
various
embodiments, the rails and/or channels 2334 can be arranged at an angle such
that the
cam 2322 and the distal cutting blade 2324 move distally as the blade 2324
deploys from
the distal cavity. In various circumstances, arranging the rails at such an
angle can reduce
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the amount of force required to actuate the firing member 2326 by aligning a
component of
the movement of the cam 2322 and the blade 2324 along a longitudinal axis
along which
the firing member 2326 moves. Arranging the rails at such an angle can also
reduce the
likelihood of binding between the cam 2322 and the firing member 2326 and/or
between
the cam 2322 and the rails and/or channels 2324 in the distal cavity 2332.
[0366] In various embodiments, the firing member 2326 can be moved distally
from an
unactuated position to an actuated position by the cutting blade 2312 and/or a
staple driver
2340. In various embodiments, the firing member 2326 can be integral with the
tissue-
cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340 such that the firing member
2326 travels
through the staple cartridge 2330 and along a longitudinal axis of the staple
cartridge 2330
with the tissue cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340. In various
other
embodiments, the firing member 2326 can be separate from the tissue-cutting
blade 2312
and/or the staple driver 2340. In such embodiments, the tissue-cutting blade
2312 and/or
the staple driver 2340 can push the firing member 2326 through the staple
cartridge 2330.
Alternatively, in such embodiments in which the firing member 2326 is separate
from the
tissue-cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340, the firing member
2326 can be
positioned at a distal end of the staple cartridge 2330 in an unactuated
position, as
illustrated in FIG. 82. The cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340
can travel
through the staple cartridge 2330 and then push the firing member 2326 into
the actuated
position illustrated in FIG. 83 as the cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple
driver 2340 reach
the distal end of the staple cartridge 2330. In all of these embodiments,
motion of the
tissue-cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340 in a direction along a
longitudinal
axis of the staple cartridge 2330 can cause the distal cutting blade 2324 to
deploy in a
direction different from the tissue-cutting blade and/or the staple driver
2340.
[0367] In various embodiments, the distal cutting blade 2324 is not deployed
to sever the
distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 until the firing stroke of the tissue
cutting blade 2312
and/or the staple driver 2340 have been completed or are almost completed. In
such
embodiments, the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 can remain attached to
the staple
cartridge 2330, thereby stabilizing the layer 2306 relative to the staple
cartridge 2330, until
most or all of the staples have been fired by the staple driver 2340 and/or
until patient
tissue and the layer 2306 have been severed by the tissue cutting blade 2312.
In various
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other embodiments, the distal cutting blade 2324 can be deployed to sever the
distal
portion 2316 of the layer 2306 before the tissue cutting blade 2312 and/or the
staple driver
2340 have begun their firing stroke. For example, the firing member 2326 can
be moved
from the unactuated position illustrated in FIG. 82 to the actuated position
illustrated in
FIG. 83 by a first actuation of a firing trigger of a surgical stapler. A
subsequent actuation
of the firing trigger can move the tissue cutting blade 2312 and/or the staple
driver 2340.
As a result, the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 can be detached from
the staple
cartridge 2330 before the tissue cutting blade 2312 severs patient tissue
and/or before the
staples capture the layer 2306 and patient tissue. As another example, the
firing member
2326 can be actuated by a first trigger of the surgical instrument and the
tissue-cutting
blade 2312 and/or the staple driver 2340 can be actuated by a second trigger.
[0368] As described above, the nose 2308 of the staple cartridge assembly 2300
can
include a panel 2310 that extends proximally from the nose 2308 and that at
least partially
covers the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306. The panel 2310 can include
an inward-
facing surface 2309 that can face the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306.
In certain
embodiments, the inward-facing surface 2309 of the panel 2310 can support the
distal
portion 2316 of the layer 2306 as the distal cutting blade 2324 severs the
distal portion
2316. In various circumstances, when the distal cutting blade 2324 is
deployed, the distal
cutting blade 2324 can eventually make contact with the inward-facing surface
2309,
thereby completely severing the distal portion 2316 of the layer 2306 from the
remainder of
the layer 2306.
[0369] The panel 2310 can also protect patient tissue from the distal cutting
blade 2324.
In various circumstances, unaffected patient tissue that is not severed by the
tissue cutting
blade 2312 and/or stapled by staples from the staple cartridge 2330 can pass
over an
outward-facing surface 2311 of the panel 2310. In such circumstances, the
panel 2310
can shield the unaffected tissue from the distal cutting blade 2324. For
example, as
illustrated in FIG. 83, the panel 2310 can be positioned between the distal
cutting blade
2324 extending out of the distal cavity 2332 and patient tissue proximate to
the outward-
facing surface 2311 of the panel 2310, such that the patient tissue is not
exposed to the
distal cutting blade 2324.
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[0370] Referring now to FIGS. 77-79, a staple cartridge 20000 can comprise a
cartridge
body 20010 and a tissue thickness compensator 20020 releasably attached
thereto. The
staple cartridge 20000 can comprise any suitable arrangement of staples,
staple cavities,
and/or staple drivers which are fired by a sled, or firing member, passing
distally through
the staple cartridge 20000 to capture at least a portion of the tissue
thickness compensator
20020 and at least a portion of the patient tissue within the staples, as
described
elsewhere herein. Such discussion of the staples, staple cavities, and staple
drivers is not
repeated here for the sake of brevity to the reader. Referring primarily now
to FIGS. 77
and 77A, the staple cartridge 20000 can include a sled 20060 which is advanced
distally
by a firing member 20050. At a certain point during the distal progression of
the firing
member 20050 and the sled 20060, the sled 20060, for example, can be
configured to
release the tissue thickness compensator 20020 from the cartridge body 20010,
as
illustrated in FIGS. 78 and 79. For instance, the distal end 20022 of the
tissue thickness
compensator 20020 can be releasably retained to the distal end of the
cartridge body
20010 by a flexible clamp 20013 and a retention pin 20072 wherein the sled
20060 can
defeat, or withdraw, the retention pin 20072. The flexible clamp 20013 can be
configured
to securely hold the tissue thickness compensator 20020 against the deck 20015
of the
cartridge body 20010. In such circumstances, the flexible clamp 20013 can
provide a
sufficient clamping force to the tissue thickness compensator 20020 in order
to hold the
tissue thickness compensator 20020 in place. The retention pin 20072 may also
securely
hold the tissue thickness compensator 20020 to the cartridge body 20010. For
instance,
referring to FIGS. 77 and 77A, the distal end 20022 of the tissue thickness
compensator
20020 can comprise an aperture 20023 defined therein which can be configured
to receive
the retention pin 20072 and. owing to the interaction between the retention
pin 20072 and
the sidewalls of the aperture 20023, the retention pin 20072 can prevent the
tissue
thickness compensator 20020 from sliding out between the clamp 20013 and the
cartridge
deck 20015. Moreover, the retention pin 20072 and the clamp 20013 can co-
operatively
confine the movement of the tissue thickness compensator 20020 and, in various
circumstances, the top of the retention pin 20072 can abut or can be
positioned closely
adjacent to the clamp 20013.
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[0371] In use, further to the above, the retention pin 20072 can be lowered
by the
sled 20060, as illustrated in FIGS. 78 and 79. More specifically, the
retention pin 20072
can extend from a cam 20070 wherein the cam 20070 can rest or sit upon a
resilient
member, or spring, 20012 extending from a pan 20011 attached to the cartridge
body
20010 and, when the sled 20060 engages the cam 20070, the sled 20060 can push
the
cam 20070 and the retention pin 20072 downwardly thereby compressing the
spring
20012. The cartridge body 20010 can include guides 20018 defined therein which
confine
the movement of the cam 20070 along a substantially vertical path, i.e., a
path
perpendicular to cartridge deck 20015. In various embodiments, the sled 20060
can
include a cam actuator 20062 which extends distally with respect to the staple
driver lift
surfaces 20063. Once the pin 20072 has been sufficiently lowered, the tissue
thickness
compensator 20020 can slide relative to cartridge deck 20015 and slip out of
the clamp
20013. In various circumstances, the pin 20072 can be lowered a sufficient
amount while
still at least partially protruding from the cartridge deck 20015. In other
circumstances, the
pin 20072 can be lowered beneath the cartridge deck 20015. In either event,
the cam
actuator 20062 and staple driver lift surfaces 20063 of the sled 20060 can be
configured
such that the retention pin 20072 is sufficiently lowered at the same time
that the last, or
distal-most, staple is fired by the sled 20060. In other circumstances, the
cam actuator
20062 and staple driver lift surfaces 20063 of the sled 20060 can be
configured such that
the retention pin 20072 is sufficiently lowered before the last, or distal-
most, staple is fired
by the sled 20060. In yet other circumstances, the cam actuator 20062 and
staple driver
lift surfaces 20063 of the sled 20060 can be configured such that the
retention pin 20072 is
sufficiently lowered after the last, or distal-most, staple is fired by the
sled 20060. Although
cam 20070 is described herein as having one retention pin 20072, a plurality
of retention
pins 20072 can extend from the cam 20070 which can each be configured to
releasably
retain the tissue thickness compensator 20020 to the cartridge body 20010.
Accordingly,
the tissue thickness compensator 20020 can include a suitable number of
apertures 20023
configured to receive the retention pins 20072.
[0372] Referring now to FIGS. 80 and 81, a cartridge 21000, for example, can
comprise
a cartridge body 21010, a tissue thickness compensator 21020 releasably
secured to the
cartridge body 21010, and a sled 21060 which can be configured to release the
tissue
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thickness compensator 21020 from the cartridge body 21010. Similar to the
above, the
sled 21060 can comprise staple driver lift surfaces 21063 which are configured
to lift staple
drivers, and staples supported thereon, toward an anvil positioned opposite
the tissue
thickness compensator 21020. Also similar to the above, the sled 21060 can
further
comprise a cam actuator 21062 which can be configured to deactivate a clamp
21013
holding a distal end 21022 of the tissue thickness compensator 21020 to the
deck surface
21015 of the cartridge body 21010. More specifically, the clamp 21013 can
include a cam
21072 extending downwardly into the cartridge body 21010 wherein the cam 21072
can be
engaged by the cam actuator 21062 as the sled 21060 is advanced distally
through the
staple cartridge 21000. When the cam actuator 21062 engages the cam 21072, the
cam
actuator 21062 can lift the cam 21072 upwardly and flex the clamp 21013 away
from the
distal end 21022 of the tissue thickness compensator 21020, as illustrated in
FIG. 81. At
such point, the cartridge body 21010 can be moved away from the tissue
thickness
compensator 21020. Stated another way, by the time that the tissue thickness
compensator 21020 is released from the cartridge body 21010, the tissue
thickness
compensator 21020 will have been implanted to the patient tissue by one or
more staples
wherein, after the tissue thickness compensator 21020 has been released, the
cartridge
body 21010 can be moved away from the implanted tissue thickness compensator
21020
and removed from the surgical site.
[0373] Further to the above, the cam actuator 21062 and staple driver lift
surfaces 21063
of the sled 21060 can be configured such that the cam 20072 is sufficiently
raised to
sufficiently reduce the clamping force applied by the clamp 21013 at the same
time that
the last, or distal-most, staple is fired by the sled 20060. In other
circumstances, the cam
actuator 21062 and staple driver lift surfaces 21063 of the sled 21060 can be
configured
such that the cam 21072 is sufficiently raised to sufficiently reduce the
clamping force
applied by the clamp 21013 before the last, or distal-most, staple is fired by
the sled
21060. In yet other circumstances, the cam actuator 21062 and staple driver
lift surfaces
21063 of the sled 21060 can be configured such that the cam 20072 is
sufficiently raised
to sufficiently reduce the clamping force applied by the clamp 21013 after the
last, or
distal-most, staple is fired by the sled 21060. Although the clamp 21013 is
described
herein as having one cam 21072 extending therefrom, a plurality of cams 21072
can
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extend from the clamp 21013 which can each be configured to lift the clamp
21013 and
release the tissue thickness compensator 20020 from the cartridge body 20010.
[0374] Further to the above, a sled, or firing member, passing through a
staple cartridge
can release a tissue thickness compensator from a cartridge body at the end,
or near the
end, of the distal movement of the sled and/or the end of the firing stroke of
the firing
member. Stated another way, the tissue thickness compensator can be released
from the
cartridge body at the same time, or nearly the same time, that all of the
staples have been
fired from the staple cartridge. In various other embodiments, the tissue
thickness
compensator can be released from the cartridge body at the same time, or
before, the first,
or proximal-most, staples have been fired from the staple cartridge. One such
exemplary
embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 90-92 which illustrate a staple cartridge
22000. Similar to
the above, the staple cartridge 22000 can comprise a cartridge body 22010 and
a tissue
thickness compensator 22020 releasably secured thereto. Although the staple
cartridge
22000 can further include a staple-firing sled as described above, the sled
may not release
the tissue thickness compensator 22020; rather, the staple cartridge 22000 may
further
comprise an actuator 22011 which can be advanced distally by the firing member
at the
beginning of the firing stroke thereof. Various other embodiments are
disclosed herein
which disclose means for advancing an actuator distally and are not repeated
with regard
to this embodiment for sake of brevity to the reader. In any event, the
actuator 22011 can
include a cam support 22012 extending therefrom which can be configured to
support a
cam 22070 when the actuator 22011 is in its unactuated position, as
illustrated in FIG. 90.
Moreover, the staple cartridge 22000 can further comprise a biasing member, or
spring,
22074 which can be configured to hold or bias the cam 22070 against the cam
support
22012 while, again, the actuator 22011 is in its unactuated position
illustrated in FIG. 90.
In such a position of the cam 22070, a retention pin 22072 extending from the
cam 22070
can be engaged with and extend through an aperture 22023 defined in a distal
end 22022
of the tissue thickness compensator 22020 such that, similar to the above, the
retention
pin 22072, and/or the retention pin 22072 in concert with a clamp 22013
extending from
the cartridge body 22010, can hold the tissue thickness compensator 22020 in
position.
[0375] When the actuator 22011 is advanced distally by the firing member,
referring now
to FIG. 91, the cam support 22012 can be advanced distally such that the cam
support
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22012 may no longer support the cam 22070. In such circumstances, the spring
22074
may bias the cam 22070 downwardly such that the retention pin 22072 is biased
out of
engagement, or at least partially out of engagement, with the tissue thickness
compensator 22020. In at least one circumstance, the spring 22074 can bias the
cam
22070 downwardly such that the retention pin 22072 is positioned below the
deck 22015 of
the cartridge 22010. In any event, the distal advancement of the actuator
22011 can
release the tissue thickness compensator 22020 from the cartridge body 22010.
Stated
another way, once the retention pin 22072 has been lowered, the clamp 22013
may still
provide a holding force to the tissue thickness compensator 22020 such that
the tissue
thickness compensator 22020 remains pinned against the staple deck 22015;
however,
the tissue thickness compensator 22020 can be slid out from underneath the
clamp 22013
upon the application of a sufficient relative force between the tissue
thickness
compensator 22020 and the cartridge body 22010. Further to the above, the
release of
the tissue thickness compensator 22020 from the cartridge body 22010 can occur
before,
contemporaneous with, and/or immediately after the proximal-most staples are
fired from
the staple cartridge 22000. In such circumstances, the early release of the
tissue
thickness compensator 22020 may permit the tissue thickness compensator 22020
to be
released from the cartridge body 22010 eventhough the staple cartridge 22000
has only
been partially fired, for example.
[0376] Referring now to FIGS. 84-87, an end effector assembly 5000 can include
a first
jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a second jaw 5002. In various embodiments, the
second
jaw 5002 can include a cartridge assembly that includes a fastener cartridge
body 5050
and a tissue thickness compensator 5058 releasably secured to the fastener
cartridge
body 5050. Referring primarily to FIG. 84, the fastener cartridge body 5050
can have a
cartridge deck 5052 and fastener cavities 5054 defined in the cartridge deck
5052.
Further, the second jaw 5002 can include fasteners, such as surgical staples,
for example,
which can be removably positioned in the fastener cavities 5054. For example,
a fastener
can be ejectably positioned in each fastener cavity 5054 of the cartridge body
5050. In
certain embodiments, the cartridge body 5050 can include a slot 5056, which
can extend
from a proximal portion 5004 of the second jaw 5002 toward a distal portion
5006 of the
second jaw 5002. In various embodiments, a firing assembly 5030 can translate
along the
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slot 5056 of the cartridge body 5050. For example, the firing assembly 5030
can translate
within the slot 5056 during a firing stroke, and can eject the fasteners from
the fastener
cavities 5054 during the firing stroke.
[0377] Referring primarily to FIGS. 84, 86 and 87, the firing assembly 5030
can include a
firing bar (FIG. 84), a cutting edge 5036, a crossbar 5038, and a foot 5044
(FIGS. 86 and
87). The cutting edge 5036 can cut tissue and/or cut the tissue thickness
compensator
5058 as the firing assembly 5030 is fired through the second jaw 5002 during a
firing
stroke. The crossbar 5038 can hold the first jaw relative to the cartridge
body 5050, and
the foot 5044 can hold the firing assembly 5030 relative to the cartridge body
5050, for
example. In various embodiments, the crossbar 5038 and the foot 5044 can hold
the
cutting element 5036 perpendicular to the deck 5052 of the fastener cartridge
5050, for
example. Referring primarily to FIGS. 29A and 29B, the firing assembly 5030
can engage
a sled 5034 in the cartridge body 5050 during the firing stroke. The firing
assembly 5030
can push the sled 5034 distally during the firing stroke to eject fasteners
from the fastener
cavities 5054, for example.
[0378] Referring primarily to FIG. 84, the tissue thickness compensator 5058
can be
releasably secured to the cartridge body 5050 by at least one connector 5080a,
5080b. In
certain embodiments, multiple connectors 5080a, 5080b can secure the tissue
thickness
compensator 5058 to the cartridge body 5050. For example, a proximal connector
5080a
can secure the tissue thickness compensator 5058 to the cartridge body 5050 at
the
proximal portion 5004 of the second jaw 5002, and a distal connector 5080b can
secure
the tissue thickness compensator 5058 to the cartridge body 5050 at the distal
portion
5006 of the second jaw 5002. In certain embodiments, additional connectors can
secure
the tissue thickness compensator 5058 to the cartridge body 5050. In such
embodiments,
the additional connectors can be spaced along at least a portion of the length
of the
cartridge body 5050, and can be positioned between the proximal connector
5080a and
the distal connector 5080b, for example.
[0379] Still referring primarily to FIG. 84, the connectors 5080a, 5080b can
hold the
tissue thickness compensator 5058 relative to the cartridge body 5050. The
tissue
thickness compensator 5058 can be released from the cartridge body 5050 when
the
connectors 5080a, 5080b are broken, cut, dislodged or otherwise overcome. In
certain
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embodiments, the firing assembly 5030 can overcome the connectors 5080a. 5080b
as the
firing assembly 5030 translates along the slot 5056 in the fastener cartridge
5050 during a
firing stroke. During such a firing stroke, the firing assembly 5030 can cut
tissue clamped
between the first jaw and the second jaw 5002, and can also move the fasteners
from the
fastener cavities 5054 into the clamped tissue. In various embodiments, the
firing
assembly 5030 can push the sled 5034 (FIGS. 86 and 87) distally during the
firing stroke.
The sled 5034 can have a camming surface or ramp 5042, which can engage
drivers in
the fastener cavities 5054. When the ramp 5042 engages a driver, the ramp 5042
can
push the driver toward the deck 5052 to eject the fastener from the fastener
cavity 5054.
Further, the firing assembly 5030 can cut the tissue thickness compensator
5058 and the
connectors 5080a, 5080b during the firing stroke.
[0380] Referring primarily to FIG. 84, the cutting edge 5036 of the firing
assembly 5030
can cut the proximal connector 5080a at or near the beginning of the firing
stroke, for
example, and can cut the distal connector 5080b at or near the end of the
firing stroke, for
example. In certain embodiments, the sled 5034 (FIGS. 86 and 87) can eject the
fasteners
from the fastener cavities 5054 after the cutting edge 5036 cuts the proximal
connector
5080a and before the cutting edge 5036 cuts the distal connector 5080b. In
such
embodiments, if the firing assembly 5030 does not complete the Ili ing stroke,
the cutting
edge 5036 of the firing assembly 5030 may stop before reaching the distal
connector
5080b, and the tissue thickness compensator 5058 may remain secured to the
cartridge
body 5050 at the distal portion 5006 of the second jaw 5002. In certain
embodiments, the
tissue thickness compensator 5058 can remain secured to the cartridge body
5050 until
the operator cuts or otherwise overcomes the distal connector 5080b. For
example, the
operator may introduce an additional surgical instrument and/or step in the
surgical
procedure to overcome the distal connector 5080b.
[0381] Referring still to FIGS. 84-87, in various embodiments, the second jaw
5002 can
overcome the connectors 5080a, 5080b at or near the beginning of the firing
stroke. In
other words, an element of the second jaw 5002 can overcome the proximal
connector
5080a, the distal connector 5080b, and any additional connectors therebetween
at or near
the beginning of the firing stroke. For example, the second jaw 5002 and/or
the cartridge
assembly can include an actuator 5010, which can overcome the distal connector
5080b
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before the fasteners are ejected from the fastener cavities. The actuator 5010
can
overcome the distal connector 5080b and the tissue thickness compensator 5358
can be
released from the cartridge body 5050 even when the firing stroke terminates
prematurely,
Le., before the firing assembly 5030 reaches the distal portion 5006 of the
second jaw
5002, for example. In various embodiments, the actuator 5010 can include a
bottom side
5016 (FIGS. 85A-85C) and sidewalls 5018 (FIGS. 84 and 850). The sidewalls 5018
can
extend from the bottom side 5016 and around at least a portion of the
cartridge body 5050.
The bottom side 5016 and/or the sidewalls 5018 can extend past or around the
fasteners
positioned in the fastener cavities 5054. Further, the actuator 5010 can be
moveably held
relative to the cartridge body 5050. For example, the actuator 5010 can move
from a pre-
actuated position (FIG. 85A) to an actuated position (FIGS. 85B and 85D). In
certain
embodiments, the sidewalls 5018 of the actuator 5010 can engage slits in the
cartridge
body 5050, such that the actuator 5010 moves in the slits to slide relative to
the cartridge
body 5050. When the actuator 5010 moves relative to the cartridge body 5050,
the
actuator 5010 can slide relative to the fasteners positioned in fastener
cavities 5054 of the
cartridge body 5050. For example, the actuator 5010 can slide past and/or
around the
fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities 5054.
[0382] Referring pi irnarily to FIGS. 85A-85C, the actuato 5010 can include a
slot 5012,
which can extend from the proximal portion 5004 toward the distal portion 5006
of the
second jaw 5002. The slot 5012 in the actuator 5010 can correspond to and/or
be aligned
with the slot 5056 (FIG. 84) in the cartridge body 5050, for example. Further,
the firing
assembly 5030 can translate along and/or within the slot 5012 in the actuator
5010 as the
firing assembly 5030 translates along and/or within the slot 5056 in the
cartridge body
5050 during the firing stroke. In various embodiments, the firing assembly
5030 can
engage the actuator 5010 to move the actuator 5010 distally when the firing
assembly
5030 is at or near the beginning of the firing stroke. In such embodiments,
the firing
assembly 5030 can actuate the actuator 5010 at the proximal portion 5004 of
the second
jaw 5002. When the actuator 5010 is actuated and moves distally, a distal end
of the
actuator 5010 can cut or otherwise overcome the distal connector 5080b, for
example. In
other words, proximal actuation of the actuator 5010 can effectuate distal
release of the
tissue thickness compensator 5058 from the cartridge body 5050. In various
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embodiments, the actuator 5010 can merely shift distally to overcome the
distal connector
5080b. In at least one embodiment, the actuator 5010 can shift approximately 1
mm, for
example, before overcoming the distal connector 5080b. In certain embodiments,
the
actuator 5010 can shift approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 5 mm, for
example, before
overcoming the distal connector 5080b.
[0383] Referring primarily to FIGS. 85A and 858, the actuator 5010 can move
from the
pre-actuated position (FIG. 85A) to the actuated position (FIG. 85B) when the
firing
assembly 5030 moves between an unfired position and a partially fired position
during part
of the firing stroke. In various embodiments, the actuator 5010 can include a
release stop,
such as detent tabs 5022, for example. The progression of the firing element
relative to
the actuator 5010 can be paused by the detent tabs 5022. In other words, the
detent tabs
5022 can temporarily halt the progression of the firing assembly 5030 relative
to the
actuator 5010. For example, while the actuator 5010 moves from the pre-
actuated position
toward the actuated position, the detent tabs 5022 can engage the sled 5034
and/or the
firing assembly 5030 to hold the firing assembly 5030 relative to the actuator
5010, such
that the actuator 5010 moves therewith. For example, referring primarily to
FIGS. 86 and
87, the bottom side 5016 of the actuator 5010 can include a detent tab 5022,
and the sled
5034 can include a recess or groove 5040. In various embodiments, the groove
5040 can
receive the tab 5022 when the sled 5034 is positioned in the proximal portion
5004 of the
second jaw 5002. For example, the groove 5040 can be aligned with the tab 5022
when
the firing assembly 5030 moves from an unfired position to a fired position,
and thus, when
the actuator is pushed from a pre-actuated position (FIG. 85A) to an actuated
positioned
(FIG. 85B). In various embodiments, at least one tab 5022 can be positioned on
either
side of the slot 5012 (FIGS. 85A-85C) in the actuator 5010, and each tab 5022
can engage
the sled 5034.
[0384] Referring primarily to FIG. 85A, the sled 5034 can engage the detent
tabs 5022
as the firing assembly 5030 and sled 5034 translate along the slot 5056 (FIG.
84) during
the firing stroke. For example, the detent tabs 5022 can engage the sled 5034
at or near
the beginning of the firing stroke. In certain embodiments, the detent tabs
5022 can be
near the proximal end of the actuator 5010, and the sled 4034 can engage the
detent tabs
5022 upon the initiation of the firing stroke. When the firing bar 5032 is
moved distally and
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the detent tabs 5022 are engaged with the recesses 5040 in the sled 5034
(FIGS. 86 and
87), the actuator 5010 can be driven and/or shifted distally. In certain
embodiments,
referring primarily to FIG. 85B, the actuator 5010 can move distally until it
reaches a hard
stop 5060 defined in the cartridge body 5050, for example. The hard stop 5060
can be at
the distal portion 5006 of the second jaw 5002, and can prevent further distal
movement of
the actuator 5010, for example. In various embodiments, the actuator 5010 can
abut the
hard stop 5060 before the firing assembly 5030 ejects the fasteners from the
fastener
cavities 5054 of the cartridge body 5050 (FIG. 84). In some embodiments, the
actuator
5010 can abut the hard stop 5060 as the firing assembly 5030 ejects at least
one fastener
from a fastener cavity 5054 and/or after the firing assembly 5030 has ejected
at least one
fastener from a fastener cavity 5054.
[0385] Referring primarily to FIG. 85D, when the actuator 5010 is pushed
distally by the
sled 5034 and/or the firing assembly 5030, the actuator 5010 can cut or
otherwise
overcome the distal connector 5080b to release the tissue thickness
compensator 5058
from the cartridge body 5050 at the distal portion 5006 of the second jaw
5002. In certain
embodiments, the actuator 5010 can include a notch 5024 for receiving and
holding the
distal connector 5080b. The notch 5024 can hold the distal connector 5080b as
the
actuator 5010 shifts distally toward the hard stop 5060. Further, the actuatoi
5010 can
include a cutting edge 5020, for example, along the notch 5024. In certain
embodiments,
when the actuator 5010 moves toward the hard stop 5060, the distal connector
5080b can
be pushed between the hard stop 5060 and the cutting edge 5020 of the actuator
5010. In
various embodiments, the cutting edge 5020 can cut the distal connector 5080b
when the
cutting edge 5020 is pushed into and/or toward the hard stop 5060. In such
embodiments,
the distal connector 5080b can be cut by the cutting edge 5020 of the actuator
5010 at or
near the beginning of the firing stroke and before the fasteners are fired
from the fastener
cavities 5054 (FIG. 84). In some embodiments, the cutting edge 5020 can cut
the distal
connector 5080b as the firing assembly 5030 ejects at least one fastener from
a fastener
cavity 5054 and/or after the firing assembly 5030 has ejected at least one
fastener from a
fastener cavity 5054. In various embodiments, the actuator 5010 can overcome
the distal
connector 5080b without cutting it. For example, the actuator 5010 can
dislodge or stretch
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the distal connector 5080b out of position such that the distal connector
5080b no longer
holds the tissue thickness compensator 5058 relative to the cartridge body
5050.
[0386] In various embodiments, the proximal connector 5080a can be cut by a
proximal
cutting edge on the actuator 5010. Similarly, additional connectors along the
length of the
cartridge body 5050 can be cut or otherwise overcome by the actuator 5010 at
or near the
beginning of the firing stroke. Additionally or alternatively, the cutting
edge 5036 of the
firing assembly 5030 can cut or otherwise overcome the proximal connector
5080a and/or
additional connectors. For example, the cutting edge 5036 of the firing
assembly 5030 can
cut the proximal connector 5080a and the cutting edge 5020 of the actuator
5010 can cut
the distal connector 5080b before the fasteners are ejected from the fastener
cavities 5054
of the cartridge body 5050 (FIG. 84).
[0387] Referring primarily to FIG. 87, the sled 5034 and/or the firing
assembly 5030 can
be configured to overcome the detent tabs 5022 of the actuator 5010. When the
sled 5034
and/or the firing assembly 5030 overcome the detent tabs 5022, the firing
assembly 5030
and the sled 5034 can move relative to the actuator 5010. For example, the
firing
assembly 5030 can push the sled 5034 distally to move the actuator 5010
distally until
further distal movement of the actuator is prevented by the hard stop 5060
(FIGS. 85A,
85C, and 85D). Referring still to FIG. 87, when the actuator 5010 is blocked
from further
distal movement, the firing assembly 5030 can push the sled 5034 with
sufficient force to
deform, deflect, and/or dislodge the detent tabs 5022 from the recesses 5040
in the sled
5034. For example, the tabs 5022 can each comprise a cantilever which can flex
downwardly out of engagement with the groove 5040 after a sufficient
longitudinal force
has been applied to the sled 5034. When the firing assembly 5030 pushes the
sled 5034
out of engagement with the detent tabs 5022, the firing assembly 5030 and sled
5034 can
move relative to the actuator 5010. In various embodiments, the detent tabs
5022 can be
sufficiently rigid to withstand the force of the firing assembly 5030 as the
actuator 5010
shifts distally toward the hard stop 5060, and can be sufficiently flexible to
deflect when the
actuator 5010 reaches the hard stop 5060 without requiring excessive force by
a motor
and/or operator. In various circumstances, the detent tabs 5022 can be
configured to
permit the firing bar 5032 to pass through the cartridge body 5050 after the
force applied to
detent tabs 5022 has exceeded a predetermined force.
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[0388] Referring now to FIGS. 29A and 29B, an end effector assembly 5100 can
include
a first jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a second jaw 5102. In various
embodiments, the
second jaw 5102 and/or a fastener cartridge assembly positionable therein can
include an
actuator 5110. The actuator 5110 can slide or shift relative to a fastener
cartridge body,
such as the fastener cartridge body 5050 (FIG. 84), for example, of the
fastener cartridge
assembly. Further, in certain embodiments, the actuator 5110 can include a
bottom wall
5116 and sidewalls 5118, which can be positioned at least partially around the
cartridge
body 5050. The bottom wall 5116 and/or the sidewalls 5118 can extend past or
around
the fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities 5054 (FIG. 84) when the
actuator is held
relative to the cartridge body 5050. In various embodiments, the actuator 5110
can
include a slot 5112 extending along at least a portion of the bottom wall
5116. Further, the
sidewalls 5118 can include lips 5122 and/or lips 5124, which can slidably
engage the
cartridge body 5050. For example, the lips 5122 can extend around the
cartridge body
5050 and into slits in the deck 5052 (FIG. 84) of the cartridge body 5050.
Further, the lips
5124 can extend into slits along the side of the cartridge body 5050, for
example. In
various embodiments, the lips 5122, 5124 can slide within the slits as the
actuator 5110
moves relative to the cartridge body 5050. In such embodiments, the lips can
constrain
and/or define the relative movement between the actuator 5110 and the
cartridge body
5050, for example. When the actuator 5110 moves relative to the cartridge body
5050, the
actuator 5110 can slide relative to the fasteners positioned in the fastener
cavities 5054 of
the cartridge body 5050. For example, the actuator 5110 can slide past or
around the
fasteners in the fastener cavities 5054.
[0389] Referring still to FIGS. 29A and 29B, the actuator 5110 can include a
release
stop, such as detent 5114, for example. at the proximal portion 5104 of the
second jaw
5102, for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 29A, the detent 5114 can
include a detent
arm 5120 which can operably hold a sled 5134 of the cartridge body 5050 (FIG.
84). For
example, the sled 5134 can include a groove 5144 and the detent arm 5120 can
engage
the groove 5144 to retain the sled 5134 relative to the actuator 5110. In
various
embodiments, the detent 5114 can have multiple detent arms 5120, which can be
retained
in grooves 5144 in the sled 5134. The detent arms 5120 can extend from
opposite sides
or the actuator 5110, for example, and the sled 5134 can be positioned
intermediate the
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detent arms 5120, for example. In certain embodiments, the firing assembly
5030 can
push against the sled 5134 and can shift the actuator 5110 distally while the
detent arms
5120 are held in the grooves 5144 of the sled 5134 (FIG. 29A). The detent arms
5120 can
be sufficiently rigid to hold the sled 5134 relative to the actuator 5110 as
the actuator 5110
is pushed distally by the firing assembly 5030. Thereafter, the actuator 5110
can abut a
hard stop, such as hard stop 5060 (FIGS. 84-85B and 85D), for example, which
can
prevent further distal movement of the actuator 5110.
[0390] Referring primarily to FIG. 298, when the actuator 5010 abuts the hard
stop 5060
(FIGS. 84-85B and 85D), the firing assembly 5030 can push the sled 5134
through the
detent 5114. In other words, the firing assembly 5030 can force the sled 5134
to
overcome the detent arms 5120. In such embodiments, the detent arms 5120 can
be
sufficiently flexible to flex out of engagement with the grooves 5144 of the
sled 5134 and
permit passage of the firing assembly 5030 between the detent arms 5120 and
along the
slot 5112 in the actuator 5110. Similar to the actuator 5010, the actuator
5110 can include
an edge that can cut or otherwise overcome a distal connector, similar to
distal connector
5080b (FIG. 84 and 85D), for example, when the actuator 5110 is shifted
distally by the
firing assembly 5030. Thereafter, the firing assembly 5030 and the sled 5134
can
translate along the slot 5112, and can eject fasteneis from the fastener
cavities 5054 in the
cartridge body, for example. In various embodiments, the actuator 5110 can
overcome the
distal connector and/or additional connector(s) before a fastener is fired
from the fastener
cartridge 5050. In certain embodiments, the actuator 5110 can overcome the
distal
connector and/or additional connector(s) as at least one fastener is fired
from a fastener
cavity and/or after at least one fastener has been fired from a fastener
cavity.
[0391] Referring now to FIGS. 87A and 87B, an end effector assembly 5200 can
include
a first jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a second jaw 5202. In various
embodiments, the
second jaw 5202 and/or a fastener cartridge assembly can include an actuator
5210 that
can slide relative to a fastener cartridge body, such as the fastener
cartridge body 5050
(FIG. 84), for example. Further, in certain embodiments, the actuator 5210 can
include a
bottom wall 5216 and sidewalls. The sidewalls can be positioned at least
partially around
the cartridge body 5050, for example. The actuator 5210 can include a slot
5212
extending along at least a portion of the bottom wall 5216. Further, the
actuator 5210 can
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be moveably held relative to the cartridge body 5050. When the actuator 5210
moves
relative to the cartridge body 5050, the actuator 5210 can move relative to
the fasteners
positioned in the fastener cavities 5054 of the cartridge body 5050. For
example, the
actuator 5210 can slide past or around the fasteners positioned in the
fastener cavities
5054.
[0392] In various embodiments, the firing assembly 5030 can translate along
and/or
within the slot 5212 during a firing stroke. Similar to the actuators 5010,
5110. the actuator
5210 can include a release stop 5214. In various embodiments, the release stop
5214 can
include a frangible portion 5220, which can be a bridge across the slot 5212,
for example.
Referring primarily to FIG. 87A, the firing assembly 5030 can abut the release
stop 5214 to
push the actuator 5210 distally. Thereafter, the actuator 5210 can abut a hard
stop, such
as hard stop 5060 (FIGS. 84-858 and 85D), which can prevent further distal
movement of
the actuator 5210. Referring primarily to FIG. 878, upon reaching the hard
stop 5060, the
firing assembly 5030 can break the frangible portion 5220 of the release stop
5214 to
continue moving distally along the slot 5212 during the firing stroke. The
frangible portion
5220 can be sufficiently rigid to withstand the force of the firing assembly
5030 as the
actuator 5210 shifts distally toward the hard stop 5060 (FIG. 85D), and can be
sufficiently
frangible to break when the actuator 5210 reaches the hard stop 5060 without
requiring
excessive force by a motor and/or operator. In various embodiments, the
actuator 5210
can overcome the distal connector 5080b and/or additional connector(s) before
a fastener
is fired from the fastener cartridge 5050. In certain embodiments, the
actuator 5210 can
overcome the distal connector and/or additional connector(s) as at least one
fastener is
fired from a fastener cavity and/or after at least one fastener has been fired
from a fastener
cavity.
[0393] Referring now to FIGS. 88 and 89, an end effector assembly 5300 can
include a
first jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a second jaw 5302. In various
embodiments, the
second jaw 5302 can include a cartridge body 5350 and a tissue thickness
compensator
5358 releasably secured to the cartridge body 5350. Similar to the second jaw
5002, the
second jaw 5302 can include fasteners, such as surgical staples, for example,
which can
be removably positioned in fastener cavities in the cartridge body 5350. For
example, a
fastener can be ejectably positioned in each fastener cavity. In certain
embodiments, the
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cartridge body 5350 can include a slot 5356 (FIG. 88), which can extend from a
proximal
portion 5304 toward a distal portion 5306 of the second jaw 5302. In various
embodiments, the firing assembly 5030 can translate along the slot 5356 of the
cartridge
body 5350. The firing assembly 5030 can translate within the slot of the
fastener cartridge
5350 during a firing stroke, and can eject the fasteners from the fastener
cavities during
the firing stroke, for example. The firing assembly 5030 can engage a sled
5334 (FIG. 89)
in the cartridge body 5350 during the firing stroke, for example, and can push
the sled
5334 distally during the firing stroke, for example. Furthermore, during the
firing stroke,
the firing assembly 5030 and/or an actuator 5310 can release the tissue
thickness
compensator 5358 from the cartridge body 5350.
[0394] Referring still to FIGS. 88 and 89, the tissue thickness compensator
5358 can
include a body 5360, a proximal mount 5362 extending from the body 5360. and a
distal
mount 5364 extending from the body 5360. Referring primarily to FIG. 89, a pin
5366 can
extend through the proximal mount 5362 into an opening 5356a in the cartridge
body
5350, such that the pin 5366 releasably holds the tissue thickness compensator
5358
relative to the cartridge body 5350 at the proximal portion 5304 of the second
jaw 5302, for
example. The pin 5366 can be friction lit and/or snap-fit into the opening
5356a, for
example. In certain embodiments, the pin 5366 can be held in the opening 5456a
utilizing
one or more adhesives, for example. In some embodiments, at least a portion of
the
cartridge body 5350 and/or pin 5366 can be welded, for example. In various
embodiments,
the tissue thickness compensator 5358 can include multiple proximal mounts
5362, which
can be releasably secured to the cartridge body 5350 on either side or both
sides of the
slot 5356 (FIG. 88) in the cartridge body 5350. In certain embodiments, the
distal mount
5364 can be secured to the cartridge body 5350 at the distal portion 5306 of
the second
jaw 5302, for example. The distal mount 5364 can be secured to the cartridge
body 5350
via at least one adhesive between the distal mount 5364 and the cartridge body
5350, for
example. Additionally or alternatively, the distal mount 5364 can be secured
to the
cartridge body 5350 by at least one pin and/or other fastener, for example.
[0395] Referring primarily to FIG. 89, the actuator 5310 can loop around the
distal mount
5364 and can extend to the sled 5334 in the second jaw 5302. In various
embodiments,
the actuator 5310 can comprise a cable or cord, which can extend through the
cartridge
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body 5350 and/or through a channel 5346 defined in the second jaw 5302 and/or
in the
sled 5334, for example. In various embodiments, distal movement of the sled
5334 can
pull the actuator 5310 to break through the distal mount 5364 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 5358. For example, the actuator 5310 can have a first end 5316
secured to
the sled 5334, a second end 5318 secured within the cartridge body 5350, and a
loop
5320 between the first end 5316 and the second end 5318. The loop 5320 can
loop
around the distal mount 5364, for example. In various embodiments, the loop
5320 can
wrap around the distal mount 5364 between the portion of the distal mount 5364
that is
secured to the cartridge body 5350 and the body 5360 of the tissue thickness
compensator
5358. In certain embodiments, the second end 5318 can be fixedly secured in
the cartridge
body 5350, such that when the first end 5316 moves, the loop 5320 tightens
around the
distal mount 5364. In various embodiments, the second jaw 5302 and/or the
cartridge
body 5350 can include buttons, pins, and/or castors, such as a first button
5312 and a
second button 5314, for example. The actuator 5310 can wrap around the first
button
5312 and the second button 5314, for example. The position of the buttons
5312, 5314
and the orientation of the actuator 5310 around the buttons 5312, 5314 can
cause the loop
5320 of the actuator 5310 to tighten around the distal mount 5364 when the
sled 5334 and
the firing assembly 5330 move distally during a firing stroke. Further, as the
loop 5320
tightens around the distal mount 5364, the loop 5320 can break through the
distal mount
5364 to release the body 5360 of the tissue thickness compensator 5358 from
the
cartridge body 5350 at the distal portion 5306 of the second jaw 5302. As
such, in view of
the above, the distal mount 5364 can be disengaged during the beginning of the
firing
stroke.
[0396] In various embodiments, when the distal mount 5364 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 5358 is released from the cartridge body 5350, the pin 5366
securing the
proximal mount 5362 of the tissue thickness compensator 5358 to the cartridge
body 5350
can be released from the opening 5356 in the cartridge body 5350. For example,
at or
near the beginning of a stroke, the pin 5366 can be released from the opening
5356. The
pin 5366 can be sheared and/or severed by the cutting edge 5036 of the firing
assembly
5030, for example, and/or can be pushed and/or driven out of the opening 5356
by an
element of the firing assembly 5030. In such embodiments, the tissue thickness
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compensator 5358 can be released from the cartridge body 5350 at or near the
beginning
of the firing stroke when both the proximal mount 5362 and the distal mount
5364 are
released from the cartridge body 5350. In other words, the actuator 5310 can
release the
tissue thickness compensator 5358 from the cartridge body 5350 prior to the
firing
assembly 5030 and/or the sled 5334 ejecting the fasteners from the fastener
cavities in the
cartridge body 5350. In some embodiments, the firing assembly 5030 and/or the
sled
5334 can eject at least one fastener from a fastener cavity before and/or
while the actuator
5310 releases the tissue thickness compensator 5358 from the cartridge body
5350.
[0397] A fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body comprising
a
plurality of fastener cavities and a slot. The fastener cartridge assembly can
further
comprise a plurality of fasteners, wherein each fastener is removably
positioned in a
fastener cavity. The fastener cartridge assembly can further comprise a firing
element
configured to move along the slot, a tissue thickness compensator releasably
secured to
the cartridge body, and a mount, wherein the mount secures the tissue
thickness
compensator to the cartridge body, and wherein the mount is positioned distal
to a fastener
of the plurality of fasteners. The fastener cartridge assembly can further
comprise a cable
between the firing element and the mount, wherein the cable is configured to
break the
mount when the firing element moves distally along the slot. The tissue
thickness
compensator can be released from the cartridge body when the cable breaks the
mount.
The cable can break the mount prior to the removal of the fasteners from the
fastener
cavities. The fastener cartridge assembly can further comprise a channel,
wherein the
cable extends through the channel.
[0398] Referring now to FIGS. 93A-93D. an end effector assembly 5600 can
include a
first jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a second jaw 5602. In various
embodiments, the
second jaw 5602 can include a fastener cartridge body 5650 and a tissue
thickness
compensator 5658 releasably secured to the second jaw 5602 and/or to the
fastener
cartridge body 5650. In certain embodiments, the fastener cartridge body 5650
and the
tissue thickness compensator 5658 releasably secured thereto can comprise a
fastener
cartridge assembly. Referring primarily to FIG. 93A, the cartridge body 5650
can have a
cartridge deck 5652 and fastener cavities 5654 defined in the cartridge deck
5652.
Further, the second jaw 5602 can include fasteners, such as surgical staples,
for example,
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which can be removably positioned in the fastener cavities 5654. For example,
a single
fastener can be ejectably positioned in each fastener cavity 5654 of the
cartridge body
5650. Still referring primarily to FIG. 93A, the cartridge body 5650 can
include a ridge
5648 extending from the cartridge deck 5652. The ridge 5648 can extend around
at least
a portion of a fastener cavity 5654, for example. In various embodiments, when
a fastener
is positioned in a fastener cavity 5654, the tip of the fastener can protrude
from the
fastener cavity 5654. In such embodiments, the ridge 5648 positioned at least
partially
around the fastener cavity 5654 can support and/or guide the tip of the
fastener when the
fastener is ejected from the fastener cavity 5654. In certain embodiments,
referring still to
FIG. 93A, the cartridge body 5650 can include a slot 5656, which can extend
from a
proximal portion 5604 of the second jaw 5602 toward a distal portion 5606 of
the second
jaw 5602. In various embodiments, a firing assembly 5630 can translate along
the slot
5656 of the cartridge body 5650. For example, the firing assembly 5630 can
translate
along the slot 5656 during a firing stroke, and can eject fasteners from the
fastener cavities
5654 during the firing stroke.
0399] Referring still to FIGS. 93A-93D, the firing assembly 5630 can include a
firing bar
5632, a cutting edge 5636, a crossbar 5638, and a foot 5644. The cutting edge
5636 can
cut tissue and/ot cut the tissue thickness compensator 5658 as the firing
assembly 5630 is
fired through the second jaw 5602 during a firing stroke. The crossbar 5638
can engage a
slot in the anvil of the first jaw to hold the firing assembly 5630 relative
to the first jaw, and
the foot 5644 can engage a slot in the second jaw 5602, such as the slot 5656
in the
cartridge body 5650, for example, to hold the first jaw relative to the
cartridge body 5650.
In various embodiments, the crossbar 5638 and/or the foot 5644 can hold the
cutting edge
5636 of the firing assembly 6530 perpendicular to the deck 5652 of the
fastener cartridge
5650, for example. Referring primarily to FIGS. 93A and 930, the firing
assembly 5630
can engage a sled 5634 in the cartridge body 5650 during the firing stroke.
The firing
assembly 5630 can push the sled 5634 distally during the firing stroke to
eject fasteners
from the fastener cavities 5654, for example. In various embodiments, the sled
5634 can
have a camming surface or ramp 5642, which can engage drivers and/or fasteners
in the
fastener cavities 5654, for example. When the ramp 5642 engages a driver, the
ramp
5642 can push the driver toward the deck 5652 to eject the corresponding
fastener from
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the fastener cavity 5654. Further, in various embodiments, the firing assembly
5630 can
cut the tissue thickness compensator 5658 during the firing stroke.
[0400] Referring primarily to FIGS. 93A and 938, the tissue thickness
compensator 5658
can include a cartridge contacting surface 5662 (FIG. 93A) and a tissue
contacting surface
5664 (FIG. 93B). The cartridge contacting surface 5662 can be positioned
against the
cartridge deck 5652 when the tissue thickness compensator 5658 is secured to
the
cartridge body 5650 (FIG. 938), for example. Further, the tissue contacting
surface 5664
can be positioned against tissue when tissue is clamped between the first jaw
and the
second jaw 5602, for example. Referring primarily to FIG. 93A, the tissue
thickness
compensator 5658 can include a mount 5660. In various embodiments, the mount
5660
can be a rectangular or triangular flap, for example, that can extend from the
tissue
thickness compensator 5658. Further, the mount 5660 can be a cutout portion of
the
tissue thickness compensator 5658, such that a space 5666 is left in the
tissue thickness
compensator 5658 that corresponds to the shape of the mount 5660. The mount
5660 can
be aligned with the slot 5656 of the cartridge body 5650 when the tissue
thickness
compensator 5658 is positioned relative to the cartridge body 5650, for
example. Further,
the mount 5660 can extend into the slot 5656 when the cartridge contacting
surface 5662
of the tissue thickness compensator 5658 is positioned adjacent to the deck
5652 of the
cartridge body 5650. In various embodiments, the mount 5660 can be friction
fit into the
slot 5656 when the tissue thickness compensator 5658 is secured to the
cartridge body
5650. The mount 5660 can hold at least a portion of the tissue thickness
compensator
5658 relative to the cartridge body 5650. For example, when the mount 5660 is
friction fit
in the slot 5656, the cartridge contacting surface 5662 can be positioned
against the deck
5652 of the cartridge body 5650.
[0401] In various embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 5658 can
include a
plurality of mounts 5660, which can be aligned with the slot 5656 of the
cartridge body
5650. For example, at least one mount 5660 can be positioned in the proximal
portion
5604 of the second jaw 5602, and at least one mount 5660 can be positioned in
the distal
portion 5606 of the second jaw 5602. In various embodiments, the mounts 5660
can be
spaced along at least a portion of the length of the tissue thickness
compensator 5658.
For example, the slot 5656 can be a longitudinal slot that extends from the
proximal portion
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5604 to the distal portion 5606 of the second jaw 5602. The mounts 5660 can be
friction fit
into the longitudinal slot 5656, for example, and can secure the tissue
thickness
compensator 5658 to the cartridge body 5650.
[0402] Referring primarily to FIGS. 93A and 93D, the sled 5634 can include a
tongue
5640, which can project from the sled 5634 toward the distal portion 5606 of
the jaw 5602.
When the firing assembly 5630 pushes the sled 5634 during the firing stroke,
the tongue
5640 can move along the slot 5656 in the cartridge body 5650. Referring
primarily to FIG.
93D, the tongue 5640 can move along the slot 5656 adjacent to the cartridge
contacting
surface 5664 of the tissue thickness compensator 5658. Further, the tongue
5640 can
move against the mounts 5660 that are positioned in the slot 5656. In various
embodiments, the mounts 5660 can be deflectable. When the tongue 5640 pushes
against the mounts 5660, the tongue 5640 can deflect the mounts 5660 into
alignment, or
at least substantial alignment, with the body of the tissue thickness
compensator 5658.
For example, when the tongue 5640 moves in the cartridge body 5650, the mounts
5660
can be sequentially deflected into the corresponding spaces 5666 defined in
the tissue
thickness compensator 5658. When the mounts 5660 are deflected out of the slot
5656,
the tissue thickness compensator 5658 can be unsecured to and/or released from
the
cartridge body 5650. In various embodiments, another element of the sled 5634
and/oi
the firing assembly 5630 can deflect the mounts 5660 out of the slot 5656 to
unsecure
and/or release the tissue thickness compensator 5658 from the cartridge body
5650.
[0403] Referring now to FIG. 94, an end effector assembly 5700, similar to the
end
effector assembly 5600, can include a first jaw, illustrated elsewhere, and a
second jaw
5702. In various embodiments, the second jaw 5702 can include a fastener
cartridge body
5750 and a tissue thickness compensator 5758 releasably secured to the
cartridge body
5750 and/or to the second jaw 5702. In certain embodiments, the fastener
cartridge body
5750 and the tissue thickness compensator 5758 releasably secured thereto can
comprise
a fastener cartridge assembly, for example. Similar to the cartridge body
5650, the
cartridge body 5750 can have a cartridge deck 5752, fastener cavities 5754
defined in the
cartridge deck 5752 and for holding fasteners, ridges 5748 at least partially
around the
fastener cavities 5754, and/or a slot 5756 extending from a proximal portion
5704 of the
second jaw 5702 toward a distal portion 5706 of the second jaw 5702. In
various
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embodiments, the cartridge body 5750 can include a bridge 5780 traversing or
extending
across the slot 5756. The bridge 5780 can be a frangible and/or splitable
bridge, for
example. In certain embodiments, the bridge 5780 can be a thin, breakable
portion, and
can be a solid form absorbable material, such as PGA, PCL, PGA/PCL, PLA/PCL,
and/or
TMC, for example. The bridge 5780 can have an aperture 5782, which can extend
at least
partially through the bridge 5780.
[0404] Referring still to FIG. 94, in various embodiments, the firing assembly
5630 can
translate along the slot 5756 of the cartridge body 5750. For example, the
firing assembly
5630 can translate along the slot 5756 during a firing stroke, and can eject
the fasteners
from the fastener cavities 5754 during the firing stroke. The firing assembly
5630 can
include the firing bar 5632, the cutting edge 5636, the crossbar 5638, and the
foot 5644.
The cutting edge 5636 can cut tissue and/or cut the tissue thickness
compensator 5758 as
the firing assembly 5630 is fired through the second jaw 5702 during a firing
stroke. The
crossbar 5638 can engage a slot in the anvil of the first jaw to hold the
first jaw relative to
the cartridge body 5750, and the foot 5644 can engage a slot in the second jaw
5702, such
as the slot 5756 in the cartridge body 5750, for example, to hold the firing
assembly 5630
relative to the second jaw 5702. In various embodiments, the crossbar 5638
and/or the
foot 5644 can hold the cutting edge 5636 perpendicular to the deck 5752 of the
fastener
cartridge 5750, for example.
[0405] Referring still to FIG. 94, the tissue thickness compensator 5758 can
include a
cartridge contacting surface 5762 and a tissue contacting surface. The
cartridge
contacting surface 5762 can be positioned against the cartridge deck 5752 when
the tissue
thickness compensator 5758 is secured to the cartridge body 5750 and/or to the
second
jaw 5702, for example. Further, the tissue contacting surface can be
positioned against
tissue when tissue is clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw 5702,
for example.
In various embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 5758 can include a
mount
5760. The mount 5760 can be a protrusion, pin, tab, and/or post, for example,
which can
extend from cartridge contacting surface 5762 of the tissue thickness
compensator 5758.
The mount 5760 can be aligned, or at least substantially aligned, with the
aperture 5782 of
the bridge 5780 when the tissue thickness compensator 5758 is positioned
relative to the
cartridge body 5750, for example. Further, the mount 5760 can extend at least
partially
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into the aperture 5782 when the cartridge contacting surface 5762 of the
tissue thickness
compensator 5758 is positioned adjacent to the deck 5752 of the cartridge body
5750. In
various embodiments, the mount 5760 can be friction fit into the aperture 5782
when the
tissue thickness compensator 5758 is secured to the cartridge body 5750. The
mount
5760 can hold and/or secure the tissue thickness compensator 5758 relative to
the
cartridge body 5750 and/or to the second jaw 5702. For example, when the mount
5760 is
friction fit in the aperture 5782 of the bridge 5780, the cartridge contacting
surface 5762
can be positioned against the deck 5752 of the cartridge body 5750.
[0406] In various embodiments, the fastener cartridge 5750 can include a
plurality of
bridges 5780 extending across the slot 5756 of the cartridge body 5750. The
bridges 5780
can be spaced along at least a portion of the length of the slot 5756, for
example. For
example, the slot 5756 can be a longitudinal slot that extends from the
proximal portion
5704 to the distal portion 5706 of the second jaw 5702. Further, in various
embodiments,
the tissue thickness compensator 5758 can include a plurality of mounts 5760,
which can
be aligned with the bridges 5780 of the cartridge body 5750. For example, at
least one
mount 5760 can be positioned in the proximal portion 5704 of the second jaw
5702, and at
least one mount 5760 can be positioned in the distal portion 5706 of the
second jaw 5702
when the tissue thickness compensator 5758 is positioned relative to the
cartridge body
5750. In various embodiments, the mounts 5760 can be spaced along at least a
portion of
the length of the tissue thickness compensator 5758. The mounts 5760 cart be
friction fit
into the slot 5756, for example, and can secure the tissue thickness
compensator 5758 to
the cartridge body 5750 and/or to the second jaw 5702.
[0407] Referring still to FIG. 94, the cutting edge 5636 of the firing
assembly 5630 can
cut the tissue thickness compensator 5758 and/or tissue clamped between the
first jaw
and the second jaw 5702 of the end effector assembly 5700 when the firing
assembly
5630 moves along the slot 5756 during a firing stroke. Further, the firing
assembly 5630
can split the bridge 5780 when the firing assembly 5630 moves through the slot
5756. For
example, the cutting edge 5636 of the firing assembly 5630 can break or cut
the bridge
5780 when the firing assembly moves through the slot 5756. In various
embodiments, the
cutting edge 5636 can successively cut each bridge 5780 as the firing assembly
5630
moves in the slot 5756 during the firing stroke. When the bridges 5780 are cut
or broken
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by the cutting edge 5636 the tissue thickness compensator 5758 can be
unsecured to
and/or released from the cartridge body 5750. In certain embodiments, the
cutting edge
5636 can break or cut the mounts 5760 aligned therewith during a firing
stroke. In various
embodiments, another element of the sled and/or the firing assembly 5630 can
break or
cut the bridges 5780 to release the tissue thickness compensator 5758 from the
cartridge
body 5750.
[0408] Referring now to FIGS. 95 and 96, an end effector assembly 5800,
similar to the
end effector assembly 5600, can include a first jaw, illustrated elsewhere,
and a second
jaw 5802. In various embodiments, the second jaw 5802 can include a fastener
cartridge
body 5850 and a tissue thickness compensator 5858 releasably secured to the
cartridge
body 5850 and/or to the second jaw 5802. In certain embodiments, the fastener
cartridge
body 5850 and the tissue thickness compensator 5858 releasably secured thereto
can
comprise a fastener cartridge assembly. Similar to the cartridge body 5650,
the cartridge
body 5850 can have a cartridge deck 5852, fastener cavities 5854 defined in
the cartridge
deck 5852 configured to receive fasteners, a ridge 5848 positioned around at
least a
portion of a fastener cavity 5854, and a slot 5856, which can extend from a
proximal
portion 5804 of the second jaw 5802 toward a distal portion 5806 of the second
jaw 5802.
In various embodiments, the cartridge body 5850 can include a bridge 5880
traversing or
extending at least partially across the slot 5856. The bridge 5880 can be a
frangible
and/or splitable bridge, for example. In certain embodiments, the bridge 5880
can include
a first leg 5884 and a second leg 5886. Referring primarily to FIG. 96, the
first leg 5884
can extend from a first side of the cartridge body 5850 into the slot 5856,
for example, and
the second leg 5886 can extend from a second side of the cartridge body 5850
into the slot
5856, for example. The first leg 5884 and the second leg 5886 can be angularly
oriented
relative to the axis of the slot 5856, and the first leg 5884 can be angularly
oriented
approximately 90 degrees relative to the second leg 5886, for example. In
certain
embodiments, the first leg 5884 and/or the second leg 5886 can deflectable. In
various
embodiments, the bridge 5880 can include a gap between the first leg 5884 and
the
second 5886, for example.
[0409] Referring still to FIGS. 95 and 96, in various embodiments, the firing
assembly
5630 can translate along the slot 5856 of the cartridge body 5850. For
example, the firing
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assembly 5630 can translate along the slot 5856 during a firing stroke, and
can eject the
fasteners from the fastener cavities 5854 during the firing stroke. The firing
assembly
5630 can include the firing bar 5632, the cutting edge 5636, the crossbar
5638, and the
foot 5644. The cutting edge 5636 can cut tissue and/or cut the tissue
thickness
compensator 5858 as the firing assembly 5630 is fired through the second jaw
5802 during
a firing stroke. The crossbar 5638 can engage a slot in the anvil of the first
jaw to hold the
first jaw relative to the cartridge body 5850, and the foot 5644 can engage a
slot in the
second jaw 5802, such as the slot 5856 in the cartridge body 5850, for
example, to hold
the firing assembly 5630 relative to the second jaw 5802. In various
embodiments, the
crossbar 5638 and/or the foot 5644 can hold the cutting edge 5636
perpendicular to the
deck 5852 of the fastener cartridge 5850, for example.
[0410] Referring still to FIGS. 95 and 96, the tissue thickness compensator
5858 can
include a cartridge contacting surface 5862 and a tissue contacting surface.
The cartridge
contacting surface 5862 can be positioned against the cartridge deck 5852 when
the tissue
thickness compensator 5858 is secured to the cartridge body 5850 and/or to the
second
jaw 5802, for example. Further, the tissue contacting surface can be
positioned against
tissue when tissue is clamped between the first jaw and the second jaw 5802,
for example.
In various embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 5858 can include a
mount
5860. Similar to the mount 5760, the mount 5860 can be a protrusion, pin, tab,
and/or
post, for example, which can extend from the cartridge contacting surface 5862
of the
tissue thickness compensator 5858. The mount 5860 can be aligned with the gap
between the legs 5884, 5886 of the bridge 5880 when the tissue thickness
compensator
5858 is positioned relative to the cartridge body 5850, for example. Further,
the mount
5860 can be held by the legs 5884, 5886 of the bridge 5880 when the cartridge
contacting
surface 5862 of the tissue thickness compensator 5858 is positioned adjacent
to the deck
5852 of the cartridge body 5850. In various embodiments, the mount 5860 can be
friction
fit into the gap between the legs 5884, 5886 when the tissue thickness
compensator 5858
is secured to the cartridge body 5850. The mount-bridge engagement of the
second jaw
5802 can hold the tissue thickness compensator 5858 relative to the cartridge
body 5850.
For example, when the mount 5860 is friction fit between the legs 5884, 5886
of the bridge
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5880, the cartridge contacting surface 5862 can be held against the deck 5852
of the
cartridge body 5850.
[0411] In various embodiments, referring primarily to FIG. 95, the fastener
cartridge 5850
can include a plurality of bridges 5880 extending across the slot 5856 of the
cartridge body
5850. The bridges 5880 can be spaced along at least a portion of the length of
the slot
5856, for example. For example, the slot 5856 can be a longitudinal slot that
extends from
the proximal portion 5804 to the distal portion 5806 of the second jaw 5802.
Further, in
various embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 5858 can include a
plurality of
mounts 5860, which can be aligned with the bridges 5880 of the cartridge body
5850. For
example, at least one mount 5860 can be positioned in the proximal portion
5804 of the
second jaw 5802, and at least one mount 5860 can be positioned in the distal
portion 5806
of the second jaw 5802 when the tissue thickness compensator 5858 is
positioned relative
to the cartridge body 5850 and/or the second jaw 5802. In various embodiments,
the
mounts 5860 can be spaced along at least a portion of the length of the tissue
thickness
compensator 5858. The mounts 5860 can be friction fit into the bridges 5880,
for example,
and can secure the tissue thickness compensator 5858 to the cartridge body
5850.
[0412] Referring still to FIGS. 95 and 96, the cutting edge 5636 of the firing
assembly
5630 can cut the tissue thickness compensator 5858 and/or the tissue clamped
between
the first jaw and the second jaw 5802 of the end effector assembly 5800 when
the firing
assembly 5630 moves along the slot 5856 during a firing stroke. Further, the
firing
assembly 5630 can split the bridge 5880 when the firing assembly 5630 moves
through
the slot 5856. For example, the cutting edge 5636 of the firing assembly 5630
can deflect
and/or split the legs 5884, 5886 of the bridge 5880 when the firing assembly
5630 moves
through the slot 5856. In various embodiments, the cutting edge 5636 can
successively
deflect the legs 5884, 5886 of each bridge 5880 to split each bridge 5880 as
the firing
assembly 5630 moves in the slot 5856 during the firing stroke. When the legs
5884, 5886
of a bridge 5880 are deflected by the cutting edge 5636, the bridge 5880 can
release the
corresponding mount 5860 of the tissue thickness compensator 5858. The tissue
thickness compensator 5858 can be unsecured to and/or released from the
cartridge body
5850 when each mount 5860 is released from each bridge 5880 along the length
of the
cartridge body 5850. In certain embodiments, the cutting edge 5636 can cut or
break the
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mounts 5860 aligned therewith during a firing stroke. In various embodiments,
another
element of the sled and/or the firing assembly 5630 can split the bridges 5880
to release
the tissue thickness compensator 5858 from the cartridge body 5850.
[0413] Referring now to FIGS. 97-100, an end effector assembly 5900, similar
to the end
effector assembly 5600, can include a first jaw or anvil 5910 (FIGS. 99 and
100) and a
second jaw 5902. In various embodiments, the second jaw 5902 can include a
fastener
cartridge body 5950 and a tissue thickness compensator 5958 reieasably secured
to the
fastener cartridge body 5950 and/or to the second jaw 5902. In certain
embodiments, the
fastener cartridge body 5950 and the tissue thickness compensator 5958
releasably
secured thereto can comprise a fastener cartridge assembly, for example.
Referring
primarily to FIG. 98, the fastener cartridge body 5950 can have a cartridge
deck 5952 and
cavities defined in the cartridge deck 5962. Mount cavities 5948 and/or
fastener cavities
5954 can be defined in the cartridge deck 5952, for example. In various
embodiments, the
mount cavities 5948 and the fastener cavities 5954 can have the same or
similar structure
and/or geometry. The second jaw 5902 can include fasteners, such as surgical
staples,
for example, which can be removably positioned in the fastener cavities 5954.
In certain
embodiments, the cartridge body 5950 can include a slot 5956, which can extend
from a
proximal portion 5904 of the second jaw 5902 toward a distal portion 5906 or
the second
jaw 5902.
[0414] Referring still to FIGS. 97-100, in various embodiments, the firing
assembly 5630
can translate along the slot 5956 of the cartridge body 5950 during a firing
stroke, and can
eject the fasteners from the fastener cavities 5954 during the firing stroke.
The cutting
edge 5636 can cut tissue and/or cut the tissue thickness compensator 5958 as
the firing
assembly 5630 is fired through the end effector assembly 5900 during the
firing stroke.
The crossbar 5638 can engage a slot 5912 in the anvil 5910 (FIGS. 99 and 100)
to hold
the first jaw relative to the cartridge body 5950, and the foot 5644 can
engage a slot in the
second jaw 5902, such as the slot 5956 in the cartridge body 5950, for
example, to hold
the firing assembly 5630 relative to the second jaw 5902. In various
embodiments, the
crossbar 5638 and/or the foot 5644 can hold the cutting edge 5636
perpendicular to the
deck 5952 of the fastener cartridge 5950, for example.
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[0415] Referring still to FIGS. 97-100, the tissue thickness compensator 5958
can
include a cartridge contacting surface 5962 (FIG. 97) and a tissue contacting
surface 5964
(FIGS. 98 and 99). The cartridge contacting surface 5962 can be positioned
against the
cartridge deck 5952 when the tissue thickness compensator 5958 is secured to
the
cartridge body 5950 and/or to the second jaw 5902, for example. Further, the
tissue
contacting surface 5964 can be positioned against tissue when tissue is
clamped between
the anvil 5910 and the second jaw 5902, for example. In various embodiments,
the tissue
thickness compensator 5958 can include a mount 5960. Similar to the mount 5760
and/or
the mount 5860, for example, the mount 5960 can be a protrusion, pin, tab,
and/or post, for
example, which can extend from the cartridge contacting surface 5962 of the
tissue
thickness compensator 5958. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness
compensator
5958 can include a recess 5970, which can be adjacent to the mount 5960, for
example.
The recess 5970 can be vertically aligned with the mount 5970, for example.
Referring
primarily to FIG. 99, the recess 5970 can be defined in the tissue contacting
surface 5964
of the tissue thickness compensator 5958, and can extend toward the mount
5960. In
various embodiments, a thin piece of the tissue thickness compensator 5958 can
be
positioned between the recess 5970 and the mount 5960, for example.
[0416] The mount 5960 can be aligned with a mount cavity 5948 in the cartridge
deck
5952 when the tissue thickness compensator 5958 is positioned relative to the
cartridge
body 5950, for example. Further, the mount 5960 can be positioned in the mount
cavity
5948 when the cartridge contacting surface 5962 of the tissue thickness
compensator
5958 is positioned adjacent to the deck 5952 of the cartridge body 5950. In
various
embodiments, the mount 5960 can be friction fit into the mount cavity 5948
when the
tissue thickness compensator 5958 is secured to the cartridge body 5950. The
friction fit
engagement between the mount 5960 and the mount cavity 5948 can hold at least
a
portion of the tissue thickness compensator 5958 relative to the cartridge
body 5950. For
example, when the mount 5960 is friction fit in the mount cavity 5948, the
cartridge
contacting surface 5962 can be held against the deck 5952 of the cartridge
body 5950.
[0417] Referring primarily to FIGS. 97 and 98, the fastener cartridge 5950 can
include a
plurality of mount cavities 5948 defined in the cartridge deck 5952. In
certain
embodiments, corresponding mount cavities 5948 can be defined in the cartridge
deck
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5952 on either side of the slot 5956. A first mount cavity 5948 can be defined
on a first
longitudinal side of the cartridge body 5950, for example, and a corresponding
second
mount cavity 5948 can be defined on a second longitudinal side of the
cartridge body
5950, for example. A first pair of corresponding mount cavities 5948 can be
positioned in
the proximal portion 5904 of the second jaw 5902 and/or a second pair of
corresponding
mount cavities 5948 can be positioned in the distal portion 5906 of the second
jaw 5902,
for example. In venous embodiments, fastener cavities 5954 can be positioned
between
the corresponding pairs of mount cavities 5948, i.e., closer to the slot 5956.
and between
the pair of mount cavities 5948 at the proximal portion 5904 of the second jaw
5902 and
the pair of mount cavities 5948 at the distal portion 5906 of the second jaw
5902, i.e., in an
intermediate portion of the cartridge body 5950. Further, in various
embodiments, the
tissue thickness compensator 5958 can include a plurality of mounts 5960,
which can be
aligned with the mount cavities 5948 of the cartridge body 5950. For example,
at least one
mount 5960 can be positioned in the proximal portion 5904 of the second jaw
5902, and at
least one mount 5960 can be positioned in the distal portion 5906 of the
second jaw 5902.
In various embodiments, a pair of mounts 5960 can be positioned in the
proximal portion
5904 of the second jaw 5902, and a pair of mounts 5960 can be positioned in
the distal
portion 5906 of the second jaw 5902. The mounts 5960 can be friction fit into
mount
cavities 5948, for example, and can secure at least a portion of the tissue
thickness
compensator 5958 to the cartridge body 5950.
0418] Referring primarily to FIGS. 99 and 100, the mounts 5960 can be removed
from
the mount cavities 5948 during a firing stroke. In various embodiments,
drivers 5920
movably positioned in the mount cavities 5948 can eject the mounts 5960 from
the mount
cavities 5948 during the firing stroke. For example, a driver 5920 can be
positioned in
each mount cavity 5948. During a firing stroke, an element of the firing
assembly 5630
and/or a sled in the second jaw 5902 can engage the driver 5920 to move the
driver 5920
toward the cartridge deck 5952 and/or toward the tissue thickness compensator
5958, for
example. As the driver 5920 moves, the driver 5920 can push the mount 5960
positioned
in the mount cavity 5948 toward the deck 5952 and/or toward the tissue
thickness
compensator 5958, for example. In various embodiments, the recess 5970 defined
in the
tissue thickness compensator 5958 that corresponds to the pushed mount 5960
can
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receive the pushed mount 5960. For example, the driver 5920 can push the mount
5960
into the recess 5970. The mount 5960 can be crushed, deformed and/or
compressed into
the recess 5970, for example. When the mounts 5960 are removed from the mount
cavities 5960 during the firing stroke and pushed into the corresponding
recesses 5970,
the tissue thickness compensator 5958 can be unsecured and/or released from
the
cartridge body 5950.
[0419] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 62-66, a staple
cartridge 13000
can comprise a cartridge body 13010, a tissue thickness compensator 13020, and
a
plurality of firable connectors configured to releasably hold the tissue
thickness
compensator 13020 to the cartridge body 13010, as described in greater detail
further
below. The cartridge body 13010 can comprise a proximal end 13011, a distal
end 13012,
and a deck 13015 configured to support the tissue thickness compensator 13020
thereon.
The cartridge body 13010 can include one or more proximal stops 13013
extending
therefrom which can be configured to block or resist the proximal movement of
the tissue
thickness compensator 13020. Similarly, the cartridge body 13010 can include
one or
more distal stops 13014 which can be configured to block or resist the distal
movement of
the tissue thickness compensator 13020. Referring primarily to FIG. 63, the
cartridge body
13010 can further comprise a plurality of staple cavities 13016 defined
therein. In various
embodiments, the staple cartridge 13000 can comprise a plurality of connectors
13030 and
13040 configured to releasably hold the tissue thickness compensator 13020 to
the
cartridge body 13010. Each connector 13030, for example, can comprise a
plurality of
cavity plugs 13031, which are positionable in the staple cavities 13016, and a
connecting
bar 13032 extending between the cavity plugs 13031 and over the tissue
thickness
compensator 13020. The cavity plugs 13031, in at least one embodiment, can fit
snugly
within the staple cavities 13016. In certain embodiments, the cavity plugs
13031 can be
press-fit and/or snap-fit into the staple cavities 13016. Each connector
13040, for
example, can comprise a cavity plug 13031 and a head 13042 extending
therefrom,
wherein the head 13042 can at least partially extend over the tissue thickness
compensator 13020. Referring again to FIG. 63, the tissue thickness
compensator 13020
can comprise a set of proximal notches 13023 defined in the proximal end 13021
of the
tissue thickness compensator 13020 configured to receive the cavity plugs
13031
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extending from a proximal connector 13030, intermediate notches 13024 each
configured
to receive a cavity plug 13031 extending from intermediate connectors 13040,
and a set of
distal notches 13025 defined in the distal end 13022 of the tissue thickness
compensator
13020 configured to receive the cavity plugs 13031 extending from a distal
connector
13030, for example.
[0420] In use, a sled, or firing member, can be advanced distally through the
staple
cartridge 13000 to eject staples positioned within the staple cavities 13016.
In various
embodiments, the staple cavities 13016 comprising a staple positioned therein
may not be
plugged by a cavity plug 13031. In certain embodiments, the staple cavities
having a
cavity plug 13031 positioned therein may not have a staple positioned therein.
In some
embodiments, although not illustrated, a staple cavity may include a fastener
and a cavity
plug 13031 positioned therein. Referring again to FIGS. 65 and 66, the staple
cartridge
13000 may further comprise a plurality of staple drivers 13050, for example,
which support
the staples in their unfired position. As the firing member, for example, is
advanced
distally through the staple cartridge, the firing member can Oft the staple
drivers 13050 and
the staples upwardly, i.e., toward the deck 13015 of the cartridge body 13010
and toward
an anvil positioned opposite the tissue thickness compensator 13020.
Similarly, at least
some of the staple drivers 13050 can contact and lift the cavity plugs 13031
positioned in
some of the staple cavities 13016 upwardly toward the anvil. When the staples
are lifted
upwardly by the staple drivers 13050, the legs of the staples can pass through
the tissue
thickness compensator 13020, through tissue positioned between the tissue
thickness
compensator 13020 and the anvil, and contact the anvil positioned on the
opposite side of
the tissue. The staple drivers 13050 can then drive the staples against the
anvil such that
the staples are deformed to capture the tissue thickness compensator 13020 and
the
tissue therein. When the cavity plugs 13031 are lifted upwardly by the staple
drivers
13050, the anvil may resist the upward movement of the cavity plugs 13031. In
such
circumstances, referring primarily to FIG. 63, the cavity plugs 13031 may
deform, deflect,
and/or break. In certain embodiments, the cavity plugs 13031 can include one
or more
notches, for example, which can induce the deformation, deflection, and/or
breakage of the
cavity plugs 13031 at a specific location therein. In various circumstances,
the entirety, or
at least substantial entirety, of the cavity plugs 13031 may be ejected from
the staple
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cavities 13016 by the staple drivers 13050. At such point, the connectors
13030 and/or
13040 may no longer connect the tissue thickness compensator 13020 to the
cartridge
body 13010 and, as such, the cartridge body 13010 can be moved away the tissue
thickness compensator 13020 that has been implanted against the tissue.
(0421] In use, further to the above, the firing member can be advanced from
the proximal
end 13011 toward the distal end 13012 of the staple cartridge 13000. The
cartridge body
13010 can include a longitudinal slot 13019 configured to slide* receive at
least a portion
of the firing member therein. As the firing member is advanced distally, the
firing member
can eject the staples positioned in the proximal-most staples 13016 and, then,
fire the
proximal-most connector 13030. The firing of the proximal-most connector 13030
can
release the proximal end 13021 of the tissue thickness compensator 13020 from
the
cartridge body 13010. In other embodiments, the firing member can fire the
proximal-most
connector prior to firing any staples. In any event, the firing member can be
further
advanced distally to eject staples from the staple cavities 13016 and then
fire the
intermediate connectors 13040. At such point, only the distal-most connector
13030 may
remain which holds the tissue thickness compensator 13020 to the cartridge
body 13010.
Once the firing member has fired the distal-most connector 13030, the tissue
thickness
compensator 13020 may no longer be attached to the cartridge body 13010. The
above-
described sequence describes a staple cartridge which is fully or completely
fired. Other
circumstances can arise in which less than the entirety of the staples
contained in the
staple cartridge are fired. In such circumstances, some of the connectors
holding the
tissue thickness compensator 13020 to the cartridge body 13010 may not be
fired. When
the partial use of the staple cartridge 13000 is complete, the anvil may be
opened and the
cartridge body 13010 may be pulled away from the partially implanted tissue
thickness
compensator 13020. In such circumstances, the unfired connectors may be
configured to
slide out of the staple cavities 13016 even though they have not been fired.
In any event,
the connectors 13030 and 13040, for example, may be comprised of any suitable
biocompatible and/or bioabsorbable material.
[0422] Further to the above, the firing member may include a cutting portion,
such as a
knife, for example, which can be configured to transect the tissue thickness
compensator
13020 and the tissue as the firing member is advanced distally through the
staple cartridge
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13000. In such circumstances, the cutting portion can also be configured to
transect the
connecting bars 13032 of the connectors 13030.
[0423] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 101 and 102, a staple
cartridge
10800 comprising a support portion 10810 and a tissue thickness compensator
10820 can
be loaded into a staple cartridge channel with a staple cartridge applicator
10880, for
example. Similar to the above, the staple cartridge applicator 10880 can also
be
configured to position an upper tissue thickness compensator 10890, for
example, relative
to an anvil, such as anvil 10060, for example, such that, when the anvil 10060
is closed,
the anvil 10060 can contact and engage the tissue thickness compensator 10890.
In at
least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator 10890 can comprise a
plurality of
retention legs 10895 extending from the top surface 10891 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 10890 which can be configured to be engage the anvil 10060 and
releasably
retain the tissue thickness compensator 10890 to the anvil 10060. In at least
one such
embodiment, the legs 10895 can be arranged in a longitudinal row wherein each
leg 10895
can comprise at least one foot configured to enter into and engage the knife
slot 10065
defined in the anvil 10060. In certain embodiments, some of the feet of legs
10895 can
extend in one direction while other feet can extend in another direction. In
at least one
embodiment, some of the feet can extend in opposite directions.
[0424] In any event, once the anvil 10060 has been engaged with the tissue
thickness
compensator 10890, referring now to FIGS. 102 and 103, the anvil 10060 can be
reopened
and the clinician can move the staple cartridge applicator 10880 away from the
tissue
thickness compensators 10820 and 10890. Thereafter, referring to FIG. 104, the
upper
tissue thickness compensator 10890 can be positioned on a first side of the
targeted tissue
and the tissue thickness compensator 10820, which can comprise a lower tissue
thickness
compensator, can be positioned on a second side of the tissue. After the
tissue thickness
compensators 10820 and 10890 have been suitably positioned, referring now to
FIG. 105,
a knife edge of a firing member, such as knife edge 10053, for example, can be
advanced
through the tissue and the tissue thickness compensators.
[0425] In various embodiments, referring now to FIG. 106, a staple cartridge
applicator,
such as applicator 12280, for example, can comprise a tissue thickness
compensator
12290 detachably mounted thereto which can be, similar to the above, inserted
into a
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staple cartridge channel, as illustrated in FIG. 106A, and engaged by the
anvil 10060 when
the anvil 10060 is moved into a closed position. The applicator 12280 may
include a
handle 10084 for positioning the compensator 12290 relative to a staple
cartridge. In
addition, the applicator 10084 may comprise a plurality of legs 10081 that may
secure the
compensator 12290 to the staple cartridge. In at least one such embodiment,
the tissue
thickness compensator 12290 can comprise a plurality of retention members
12295
extending upwardly from the top surface 12291 of the tissue thickness
compensator 12290
wherein each retention member 12295 can comprise a plurality of flexible legs
12296
which can be configured to be inserted into the knife slot 10065 in the anvil
10060.
Referring primarily to FIGS. 107 and 108, the flexible legs 12296 of each
retention member
12295 can be separated by a gap 12298 such that, as the legs 12296 are
inserted into the
knife slot 10065. the legs 12296 can flex inwardly and then resiliently return
outwardly
once the enlarged feet of the flexible legs 12296 have passed through the
knife slot 10065.
In various embodiments, the enlarged feet of the flexible legs 12296 can flex
behind
opposing retention lips 12297 defined in the anvil 10060 and, as a result of
the interaction
of the legs 12296 and the lips 12297, the tissue thickness compensator 12290
can be
retained to the anvil 10060. Thereafter, the staple cartridge applicator 12280
can be
moved away from the tissue thickness compensatoi 12290, as illustrated in FIG.
1068. In
use, once the tissue thickness compensator 12290 has been implanted against
the tissue
by staples deployed from staple cartridge 10000, for example, the anvil 10060
can be re-
opened and, as the anvil 10060 is moved away from the implanted tissue
thickness
compensator 12290, the legs 12296 of the retention members 12995 can flex
inwardly
such that they can be pulled out of the knife slot 10065.
[0426] As outlined above, an end-effector assembly can include a staple
cartridge, an
anvil, and at least one piece of buttress material positioned intermediate the
staple
cartridge and the anvil. In at least one embodiment, referring now to FIGS.
109-111, a
piece of buttress material, such as buttress material 336, can be configured
to be snap-fit
to at least one of staple cartridge 322 and/or an anvil (not illustrated) to
releasably retain
the piece of buttress material within the end effector. Referring to FIGS. 110
and 111,
staple cartridge 322 can include first side wall 302 and second side wall 304,
wherein at
least one of the first and second side walls can include a lip 306 extending
outwardly
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therefrom. In various embodiments, buttress material 336 can include first
edge, or side,
308, second edge, or side, 310, and at least one lip 312 extending at least
partially along
the length of edges 308 and 310. In at least one embodiment, referring to FIG.
111, lips
312 can be configured to engage lips 306 in a snap-fit fashion in order to
releasably retain
buttress material 336 to staple cartridge 322.
[0427] Further to the above, referring to FIG. 111, buttress material 336 can
include
surface 316 which can be configured to be positioned adjacent to or against
deck 328 of
staple cartridge 322. In at least one embodiment, side edges 308 and 310 can
comprise
sidewalls which can extend in a perpendicular or transverse direction relative
to surface
316. In such embodiments, lips 312 can extend from these sidewalls such that
lips 312
can be interlocked behind lips 306 of staple cartridge 322. In various
embodiments, lips
312 of buttress material 336 can be disengaged from lips 306 of staple
cartridge 322 when
the staples are deployed from staple cartridge 322. More particularly, when
the staples
are deployed, the staples can contact buttress material 336, apply an upward
force to
buttress material 336, and dislodge buttress material 336 from staple
cartridge 322.
Advantageously, as a result, buttress material 336 may be automatically
disengaged from
staple cartridge 322 when the staples are deployed therefrom and/or when the
end-
effector is opened as described above.
[0428] In various embodiments, referring to FIGS. 110 and 111, a piece of
buttress
material cart include at least one member extending therefrom which can be
configured to
releasably retain the buttress material to one of a staple cartridge and/or an
anvil. In at
least one embodiment, member 318 can extend from buttress material 336 in a
direction
which is perpendicular or transverse to surface 316. In various embodiments.
member
318 can be engaged with one of staple cavity 320, and/or an anvil pocket, in a
friction-fit or
press-fit manner to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to one of
the staple
cartridge and the anvil. Similar to the above, in various embodiments, staples
deployed
from staple cavities 320 can apply an upward force to buttress material 336
and disengage
members 318 from staple cavities 320. In various embodiments, the staples can
pierce
members 318 and/or buttress material 336 to secure the buttress material to
the tissue as
outlined above.
115
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[0429] As illustrated in FIG. 110, a piece of buttress material can include
more than one
member, or projection, extending therefrom to retain a piece of buttress
material to one of
a staple cartridge and an anvil. In various embodiments, referring now to
FIGS. 112 and
113, more than one member 318' can extend from piece of buttress material
336', for
example. In at least one embodiment, members 318' can be can press-fit into
staple
cavities 320' of staple cartridge 322', and/or into anvil pockets of an anvil
(not illustrated),
such that the members can frictionally retain the piece of buttress material
to the staple
cartridge and/or the anvil as outlined above. As described in greater detail
herein, a staple
cartridge and/or anvil can include slots or apertures therein in addition to
the staple cavities
of the staple cartridge and the anvil pockets of the anvil for receiving
projections, or
retaining members, extending from a piece of buttress material.
[0430] In certain embodiments. as described in greater detail below, a support
portion
can comprise retention features, which can be configured to progressively
release a tissue
thickness compensator from the support portion as the staples are
progressively fired from
the staple cartridge. Referring now to FIG. 114, a staple cartridge, such as
staple cartridge
11200, for example, can comprise a support portion 11210 including retention
features
11213 which can be configured to releasably hold a tissue thickness
compensator 11220
(FIG. 115) to the support portion 11210. In various embodiments, the retention
features
11213 can be positioned at the ends of each staple cavity 11212, for example,
wherein
each retention feature 11213 can comprise a guide groove 11216 defined therein
which is
configured to slidably receive a staple leg 10032 of a staple 10030. In such
embodiments,
both the staple legs 10032 and the retention features 11213 can be configured
to
releasably retain the tissue thickness compensator 11220 to the support
portion 11210.
[0431] In use, referring now to FIG. 115, staple drivers 10040 contained
within the
support portion 11210 can be driven upwardly by a sled 10050, as described
above,
wherein the staple drivers 10040 can be configured to contact the retention
features
11213, at least partially detach the retention features 11213 from the support
portion
11210, and displace the retention features 11213 outwardly and away from the
staples
10030 and the staple cavities 11212. When the retention features 11213 are
detached
from the support portion 11210 and/or displaced outwardly, the retention
features 11213
may no longer be able to retain the tissue thickness compensator 11220 to the
support
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portion 11210 and, as a result, the tissue thickness compensator 11220 can be
released
from the support portion 11210. Similar to the above, the tissue thickness
compensator
11220 can be progressively released from the support portion 11210 as the
staples 10030
are progressively ejected from the staple cartridge toward an anvil, such as
anvil 11260,
for example. In various embodiments, the staple drivers 10040 may contact the
retention
features 11213 when the top surfaces of the staple drivers 10040 become co-
planar, or at
least substantially co-planar, with the deck surface 11211 of the support
portion 11210, for
example. In such embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 11220 may be
released
from the support portion 11210 at the same time as and/or just before the
staples 10030
are formed to their fully-formed, or fully-fired, configuration.
[0432] In at least one such embodiment, referring primarily to FIG. 116, the
drivers
10040 can be overdriven such that they are pushed above the deck surface 11211
to fully
form the staples 10030 and, during the process of being overdriven, break the
retention
features 11213 away from the support portion 11210. In various embodiments,
referring
again to FIG. 115, the retention features 11213 may extend over, or overhang,
into the
staple cavities 11212 prior to being detached or displaced outwardly such that
the drivers
10040 can contact the retention features 11213 just as the drivers 10040 reach
the deck
surface 11211. In any event, once the tissue thickness compensator 11220 has
been
released from the support portion 11210, referring now to FIG. 116, the
support portion
11210 can be moved away from the implanted tissue thickness compensator 11220.
[0433] Referring now to FIG. 117, a fastener cartridge assembly 6002 for use
with an
end effector assembly can include a cartridge body 6050 and a tissue thickness
compensator 6058 releasably secured thereto. Similar to the cartridge body
5650, for
example, the cartridge body 6050 can include a slot 6056 configured to guide a
firing
assembly and/or fastener cavities 6054 configured to removably retain
fasteners in the
cartridge body 6050. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 6050 can
include a
projection 6048, such as a post, mount, tab, and/or ridge, for example. The
projection
6048 can extend from the cartridge deck of the cartridge body 6050 and into
the tissue
thickness compensator 6058 when the tissue thickness compensator 6058 is
positioned
relative to the cartridge deck. In various embodiments. the cartridge body
6050 can
include a plurality of projections 6048 extending from the cartridge deck. The
projections
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6048 can be positioned along the length of the cartridge body 6050, for
example, and can
be positioned between adjacent fastener cavities 6054, for example.
[0434] Referring still the FIG. 117, in various embodiments, the tissue
thickness
compensator 6058 can be thermoformed around the projections 6048 of the tissue
thickness compensator 6058. For example, the tissue thickness compensator 6058
can
be positioned relative to the cartridge deck of the cartridge body 6050. Once
positioned,
the tissue thickness compensator 6058 can be heated to a sufficient
temperature such that
the tissue thickness compensator 6058 deforms to accommodate the shape of the
cartridge deck, including the shape of the projections 6048 extending
therefrom. The
tissue thickness compensator 6058 can be locally heated, for example, and can
reach a
temperature near and/or approaching the glass transition temperature of the
material
comprising the tissue thickness compensator 6058, for example. The tissue
thickness
compensator can be heated to approximately 90 degrees C to approximately 120
degrees
C, for example. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can
be heated
to approximately 75 degrees C to approximately 150 degrees C, for example.
Once the
tissue thickness compensator 6058 has deformed to fit around the projections
6048, the
heat source can be removed or reduced and the tissue thickness compensator
6058 can
cool. The tissue thickness compensator 6058 can be subjected to the heightened
temperature for approximately 2 seconds to approximately 5 seconds, for
example, to
attain sufficient deformation around the projections 6048. In other
circumstances, the
tissue thickness compensator 6058 can be subjected to the heightened
temperature for
approximately 1 second to approximately 10 seconds, for example, to attain
sufficient
deformation around the projections 6048. When cooling, the tissue thickness
compensator
6058 can shrink closer toward and/or tighter around the projections 6048, for
example. In
various embodiments, the thermoformed tissue thickness compensator 6058 can
prevent
and/or limit lateral shifting and/or buckling of the tissue thickness
compensator 6058
between fastener cavities 6054 and along the length of the cartridge body
6050.
[0435] Additionally or alternatively, the tissue thickness compensator 6058
can be
thermoformed around at least a portion of a fastener removably positioned in a
fastener
cavity 6054. For example, the tissue thickness compensator 6058 can be
thermoformed
around the legs of staples extending above the cartridge deck. Referring still
lo FIG. 117,
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in various embodiments, the fastener cartridge assembly 6002 can include a
cover or shell
6060 around at least a portion of the cartridge body 6050. The shell 6060 can
extend
around the bottom, sides, and/or cartridge deck of the cartridge body 6050,
for example.
The shell 6060 can be secured to the cartridge body 6050 by pins 6062, for
example.
Further, in various embodiments, the shell 6060 can include a metallic
material, such as
stainless steel 300 series, stainless steel 400 series, titanium, and/or
medical grade
aluminum, for example. The metallic shell 6060 can facilitate heat transfer in
the cartridge
body 6050 and/or the projections 6048 to improve the thermoforming effect, for
example.
[0436] Referring now to FIG. 118, a fastener cartridge assembly 6102 for use
with an
end effector assembly can include a cartridge body 6150 and a tissue thickness
compensator 6158 releasably secured thereto. Similar to the cartridge body
5650, the
cartridge body 6150 can include a slot 6156 configured to guide a firing
assembly, for
example, and fastener cavities 6154 configured to removably hold fasteners in
the
cartridge body 6150, for example. The cartridge body 6150 can also include a
ridge 6146,
similar to the ridge 5648, extending from the cartridge deck 6152. The ridge
6146 can
extend around at least a portion of a fastener cavity 6154, for example. In
various
embodiments, when a fastener is positioned in a fastener cavity 6154, the tip
of the
fastener can pion ude from the fastener cavity 6148. In such embodiments, the
ridge 6146
positioned at least partially around the fastener cavity 6154 can support
and/or guide the
tip of the fastener when the fastener is ejected from the fastener cavity
6154. In various
embodiments, the cartridge body 6150 can include a plurality of ridges 6146 at
least
partially surrounding the fastener cavities 6154. For example, a ridge 6146
can extend
around at least the proximal and/or distal ends of each fastener cavity 6154.
[0437] Referring still to FIG. 118, in various embodiments, the fastener
cartridge
assembly 6102 can include a cover or shell 6160, similar to shell 6060, for
example,
positioned around at least a portion of the cartridge body 6150. The shell
6160 can extend
around the bottom and/or sides of the cartridge body 6150, for example, and
can be
secured to the cartridge body 6150 by pins 6162, for example. In various
embodiments,
the shell 6160 can include a projection 6148, such as a post, mount, tab,
and/or ridge, for
example. The projection 6148 can extend beyond the cartridge deck 6152 of the
cartridge
body 6150. In various embodiments, the projection 6148 can extend into the
tissue
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thickness compensator 6158 when the tissue thickness compensator 6158 is
positioned
relative to the cartridge deck. In various embodiments, the shell 6160 can
include a
plurality of projections 6148 extending therefrom. The projections 6148 can be
positioned
along the length of the shell 6160, for example, and around the perimeter of
the cartridge
body 6150, for example.
[0438] Similar to the tissue thickness compensator 6058, the tissue thickness
compensator 6158 can be thermoformed around the projections 6148 of the shell
6160. In
various embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 6158 can be wider than
the shell
6160 such that a portion of the tissue thickness compensator 6158 extends
beyond the
perimeter of the cartridge body 6150. In such embodiments, the tissue
thickness
compensator 6158 can be thermoformed to the projections 6148 around the
perimeter of
the cartridge body 6150, for example. Additionally or alternatively, the
tissue thickness
compensator 6158 can be thermoformed to the ridges 6146 and/or to the staple
legs
extending from the fastener cavities 6154, for example. In various
embodiments, the shell
6160 can include a metallic material, such as such as stainless steel 300
series, stainless
steel 400 series, titanium, and/or medical grade aluminum, for example, to
facilitate heat
transfer and improve the thermoforming effect.
[0439] Referring now to FIGS. 119 and 120, an end effector assembly 6200 can
include
a first jaw or anvil 6210 and a second jaw 6202. The second jaw 6202 can
include a
cartridge body 6250 and a tissue thickness compensator 6258 releasably secured
thereto.
Similar to the cartridge body 5650, the cartridge body 6250 can include
fastener cavities
6254 and fasteners, such as surgical staples, for example, which can be
removably
positioned therein. In various embodiments, a surgical staple 6290 can be
positioned on a
driver 6220 in a fastener cavity 6254. Referring primarily to FIG. 119, when
the driver
6220 is in a pre-fired position, a portion of the staple 6290 can be
positioned in the
fastener cavity 6254. In various embodiments, the staple 6290 can include a
base 6292
and legs 6294a, 6294b extending from the base 6292. The first leg 6294a can
extend
from a first end of the base 6292, for example, and a second leg 6294b can
extend from a
second end of the base 6292, for example. In various embodiments, when the
driver 6220
is in a pre-fired position and the staple 6290 is in a pre-formed
configuration, the base
6292 of the staple 6290 can be positioned in the fastener cavity 6254 and the
legs 6294a,
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6294b of the staple 6290 can extend from the fastener cavity 6254 into the
tissue
thickness compensator 6258.
[0440] In various embodiments, referring still to FIGS. 119 and 120, the
staple legs
6294a, 6294b can include a barb between the base 6292 and the tips 6299a,
6299b of
each staple leg 6294a, 6294b. The barb can be a sharp and/or pointed
protrusion, such
as a thorn, for example. In various embodiments, wire diameter of staples can
be
approximately 0.0069", approximately 0.0079", and/or approximately 0.0089",
for example.
The barb can be approximately 0.001", for example. In certain circumstances,
the barb
can be between approximately 0.0005" to approximately 0.003", for example. In
certain
embodiments, a first lower barb 6296a can be positioned on the first staple
leg 6294a and
a second lower barb 6296b can be positioned on the second staple leg 6294b.
Lower
barbs 6296a. 6296b can be positioned between the base 6292 and the tips 6299a,
6299b
of the staple legs 6294a, 6294b. Further, a first upper barb 6298a can be
positioned on
the first staple leg 6294a and a second upper barb 6298b can be positioned on
the second
staple leg 6294b. Upper barbs 6298a, 6298b can be positioned between the lower
barbs
6296a, 6296b and the tips 6299a, 6299b on the respective staple legs 6294a,
6294b.
When the driver 6220 is in a pre-fired position and the staple 6290 is in a
pre-formed
configuration, at least one barb 6296a, 6290b, 6298a, 6298b of the staple 6290
can be
positioned in the tissue thickness compensator 6258. In such embodiments, the
barb
6296a, 6296b, 6298a, 6298b can grip and/or hold the tissue thickness
compensator 6258
relative to the cartridge body 6250, for example. The barb 6296a, 6296b,
6298a, 6298b
embedded in the tissue thickness compensator 6258 can prevent and/or limit
lateral
movement of the tissue thickness compensator 6258 relative to the cartridge
deck, for
example, and/or can prevent lifting of the tissue thickness compensator 6258
away from
the cartridge deck, for example. Additionally or alternatively, in various
embodiments, a
barb can positioned at the tips 6299a, 6299b of the staple legs 6294a, 6294b.
[0441] Referring primarily to FIG. 120, when the driver 6220 moves to a fired
position,
the staple 6290 can be removed and/or ejected from the fastener cavity 6254.
Further, the
tissue thickness compensator 6258 and the tissue T can be clamped between the
anvil
6210 and the cartridge body 6250 of the end effector assembly 6200. The staple
forming
pockets 6214 in the anvil 6210 can form the staple 6290 into a B-form, for
example.
121
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Further, at least one barb 6296a, 6296b, 6298a, 6298b of the staple 6290 can
engage the
tissue clamped within the staple 6290, for example. The barb 6296a, 6296b,
6298a,
6298b can grip and/or hold the tissue T captured within the staple 6290.
[0442] Referring now to FIGS. 121-124, a fastener 6390 can be releasably held
by a lock
driver 6320 in a fastener cartridge 6350 (FIGS. 123 and 124) for use with an
end effector
assembly. In various embodiments, the fastener 6390 can include a base 6392
and legs
6394a, 6394b extending from the base 6392. The first leg 6394a can extend from
a first
end of the base 6392, for example, and a second leg 6394b can extend from a
second end
of the base 6392, for example. In certain embodiments, the lock driver 6320
can
releasably hold the base 6392 of the fastener 6390. In various embodiments,
the lock
driver 6320 can include a catch 6340, which can releasably hook and/or hold
the base
6392. The catch 6340 can be flexible, for example, and can flex to release the
base 6392
of the fastener 6390, for example. In various embodiments, the lock driver
6320 and/or the
catch 6340 can be comprised of plastic, such as Ultem, for example, with
either glass filler
or no glass filler such that the catch 6340 is sufficiently elastically and/or
plastically
deformed.
[0443] Referring primarily to FIGS. 123 and 124, the lock driver 6320 can be
moveably
positioned in a fastener cavity 6354 defined in the car tridge deck 6352 of
the cartridge
body 6350. The lock driver 6320 can move from a locked position (FIG. 123) to
an
unlocked position (FIG. 124) in the fastener cavity. A sled and/or driver in
the cartridge
body 6350 can engage the lock driver 6320 during a firing stroke to the move
the lock
driver 6320 from the locked position to the unlocked position. In various
embodiments, the
fastener 6390 can be secured to the lock driver 6320 when the lock driver 6320
is in the
locked position, and can be released from the lock driver 6320 when the lock
driver 6320 is
moved to the unlocked position. When the lock driver 6320 moves from the
locked
position to the unlocked position, the fastener 6390 can be ejected from the
fastener cavity
6354. A key 6353 adjacent to the fastener cavity 6354 can release the fastener
6390 from
the lock driver 6320, for example. The key 6353 can be a lip extending
inwardly from at
least a portion of the rim of the fastener cavity 6354, for example. In
various
embodiments, the key 6353 can have a camming surface 6355. When the lock
driver
6320 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, a ledge 6344 of
the catch
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6340 can abut the camming surface 6355 of the key 6353. In such embodiments,
as the
catch 6340 moves against the camming surface 6355, the camming surface 6355
can flex
the catch 6340, such that the hook 6342 releases the base 6392 of the fastener
6390. In
various embodiments, the hook 6342 can rotate upwardly to release the base
6392. For
example, the hook 6342 can rotate upwardly such that the opening of the hook
6342 is
directed upward toward the tissue thickness compensator 6358, and such that
the base
6392 can move upward through the opening and away from the lock driver 6320.
[0444] Referring still to FIGS. 123 and 124, a tissue thickness compensator
6358 can be
releasably secured to the cartridge deck 6352 of the cartridge body 6350. When
the lock
driver 6320 is in the locked position (FIG. 123), the staple legs 6394a, 6394b
can extend
from the fastener cavity 6354 into the tissue thickness compensator 6358. The
staple legs
6394a, 6394b can hold the tissue thickness compensator 6358 relative to the
cartridge
deck 6352, for example, and can prevent and/or limit lateral movement of the
tissue
thickness compensator 6358 relative to the cartridge deck 6352, for example.
Further,
when the lock driver 6320 moves to the unlocked position and the fastener 6390
is ejected
from the fastener cavity 6354 (FIG. 124), the catch 6340 can release the base
6392 of the
fastener 6390 such that the fastener 6390 can disengage the lock drivers 6320
and the
cartridge body 6350. When the fasteners 6390 removably positioned in the
fastener
cavities 6354 are ejected from their respective fastener cavities 6354 and
disengage the
cartridge body 6350, the tissue thickness compensator 6858 can be unsecured to
and/or
released from the cartridge body 6350.
[0445] Referring now to FIGS. 125-129, an end effector assembly 6400 can
include a
first jaw and/or anvil 6410 (FIGS. 127-129) and a second jaw 6402. The second
jaw 6402
can include a fastener cartridge body 6450 and a tissue thickness compensator
6458
releasably secured to the second jaw 6402 and/or to the tissue thickness
compensator
6458. In certain embodiments, the fastener cartridge body 6450 and the tissue
thickness
compensator releasably secured thereto can comprise a fastener cartridge
assembly, for
example. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 6450 can include a
cartridge deck
6452 and a slot 6456 extending through at least a portion of the cartridge
body 6450.
Cavities can be defined in the cartridge deck 6452 and into the cartridge body
6450. For
example, fastener cavities 6454 can be defined in the cartridge deck 6452 and
can receive
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fasteners 6490 (FIGS. 126A-129) therein. The fasteners 6490 can be removably
positioned in the fastener cavities 6454. For example, a single fastener 6490
can be
removably positioned in each fastener cavity 6454, and can be ejected from the
fastener
cavity 6454 during a firing stroke. Further, lock cavities 6448 can be defined
in the
cartridge deck 6452 and can receive locks 6440 therein. For example, a single
lock 6440
can be moveably positioned in each lock cavity 6448, and can be moved from a
locked
position (FIGS. 127 and 128) to an unlocked position (FIG. 129) during the
firing stroke.
[0446] Referring primarily to FIG. 126, the lock 6440 can include a base 6444
and a
hook 6442 moveably positioned relative to the base 6444. For example, the hook
6442
can move within an aperture formed through at least a portion of the base
6444. The hook
6442 can receive and/or hold a connector 6480, for example. The hook 6442 can
be
comprised of liquid crystal polymer (LCP), Nylon, Uitem, polycarbonate, and/or
ABS, for
example. The connector 6480 can be a suture, for example. In certain
embodiments, the
connector can be comprised of PDS, PGA/PCL, PLLA/PCL, TMC/PCL, PGA and/or PCL,
for example. In various embodiments, when the hook 6442 is embedded or
partially
embedded in the base 6444, the hook 6442 can constrain the connector 6480. The
connector 6480 can be held between the hook 6442 and the base 6444, for
example.
When the hook 6442 is lifted or partially lifted out of the base 6444, the
connector 6480
can be unconstrained by the hook 6442, for example, and can move out of
engagement
with the lock 6440, for example. In various embodiments, the connector 6480
can slide
out of engagement with the lock 6440 when the hook 6442 is at least partially
lifted out of
the base 6444.
[0447] Referring primarily to FIG. 126A, the connector 6480 can extend from
the tissue
thickness compensator 6458. The tissue thickness compensator 6458 can be
friction fit
and/or thermoformed with the connector 6480, for example. In various
embodiments, the
connector 6480 can be threaded through the hook 6442 of the lock 6440 when the
lock
6440 is in the unlocked position. As the connector 6480 is thread through the
hook 6442,
the tissue thickness compensator 6458 can move into position relative to the
cartridge
body 6450. For example, the tissue thickness compensator 6458 can be
positioned on the
cartridge deck 6452 of the cartridge body 6450. Referring primarily to FIG.
127, once the
tissue thickness compensator 6458 is positioned relative to the cartridge body
6450, the
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lock 6440 can be moved from the unlocked position to a locked position. For
example, the
hook 6442 of the lock 6440 can be embedded or partially embedded in the base
6444
such that the lock 6440 encloses and/or constrains the connector 6480. In
various
embodiments, the lock 6440 and/or driver 6420 can include a spring, which can
bias the
lock 6440 into the unlocked position, for example. When in the locked
position, the tissue
thickness compensator 6458 can be secured to the cartridge body 6450 by the
connector-
lock engagement, for example.
[0448] Referring primarily to FIGS. 128 and 129, a key can move along at least
a portion
of the cartridge body 6450 during a firing stroke. The key can be a sled 6434
and/or an
element of the firing assembly, for example. In various embodiments, the sled
6434 can
engage the drivers in the cavities in the cartridge body 6450 during the
firing stroke. The
sled 6434 can push the drivers toward the cartridge deck 6452 and/or toward
the tissue
thickness compensator 6458 to eject fasteners from the fastener cavities 6454
and/or to
move the locks 6440 from the locked position to the unlocked position.
Referring primarily
to FIG. 128, the sled 6434 can engage a driver 6420 in the lock cavity 6448
during the
firing stroke. The sled 6434 can move the driver 6420 toward the cartridge
deck 6452
and/or toward the tissue thickness compensator 6458. Further, referring
primarily to FIG.
129, the driver 6420 can move the lock 6440 from the locked position to the
unlocked
position. For example, the driver 6420 can push the hook 6442 out of the base
6444.
When the hook 6442 is lifted out of the base 6444, the connector can be
unconstrained by
the lock 6440. In such embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator 6458 can
be
unsecured to and/or released from the cartridge body 6450, for example.
[0449] Referring now to FIG. 67, a tissue thickness compensator 17050, for
example,
can comprise a first portion 17052 and a second portion 17054 extending
relative to the
first portion 17052. The tissue thickness compensator 17050 can comprise part
of a staple
cartridge assembly. In some circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator
17050 can
be attached to a cartridge body of the staple cartridge assembly. In certain
circumstances,
the tissue thickness compensator can be assembled to an anvil of a surgical
stapling
instrument. In either event, the first portion 17052 of the tissue thickness
compensator
17050 can be compressible. In use, the first portion 17052 can be captured
within staples
ejected from the staple cartridge and can apply a compressive force to the
tissue also
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captured within the staples. The second portion 17054 of the tissue thickness
compensator 17050 can extend through the first portion 17052 wherein the
second portion
17054 can comprise a proximal end 17053 and a distal end 17055 extending from
the first
portion 17052. As discussed in greater detail below, the second portion 17054
may be
less flexible and/or more rigid than the first portion 17052. Referring now to
FIG. 68. a
staple cartridge assembly 17000 can comprise a cartridge body 17010 including
a plurality
of staple cavities defined therein and a plurality of staples at least
partially stored within the
staple cavities. As illustrated in FIG. 68, the tissue thickness compensator
17050 can be
mounted to the cartridge body 17010.
[0450] The staple cartridge assembly 17000 can comprise a proximal mount 17060
configured to releasably hold the proximal end 17053 of the second portion
17054 to the
cartridge body 17010 and a distal mount 17070 configured to releasably hold
the distal end
17055 to the second portion 17054. The proximal mount 17060 can comprise a
single
component or more than one component. As illustrated in FIG. 68, the proximal
mount
17060 can comprise a first mount portion 17060a and a second mount portion
17060b
configured to at least partially capture and hold the second portion 17054
against the
cartridge body 17010. Turning now to FIG. 69, each mount portion 17060a,
17060b can
comprise a key 17062 which can be releasably secured within a key slot 17012
defined in
the cartridge body 17010. Each key 17062 and key slot 17012 can be sized and
configured such that the sidewalk of the key slot 17012 can apply a retention
force to the
key 17062 which resists the removal of the key 17062 from the key slot 17012.
In various
circumstances, the key 17062 can be releasably press-fit and/or snap-fit
within the key slot
17012. In at least one circumstance, the key 17062 can comprise an enlarged
end 17063
which can be releasably clamped between the sidewalk of the key slot 17012,
for
example. As illustrated in FIGS. 68 and 69, each mount portion 17060a, 17060b
can
comprise a window 17064 configured to at least partially receive the proximal
end 17053 of
the second portion 17054. In such circumstances, the sidewalls of the window
17064 can
be configured to engage and compress the tissue thickness compensator 17030
against
the deck 17014 of the cartridge body 17010. Furthermore, at least a portion of
the second
portion 17054 can be contained within the mount portions 17060a , 17060b.
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[0451] Referring again to FIGS. 68 and 69, similar to the above, the distal
mount 17070
can comprise a window 17074 which can be sized and configured to receive at
least a
portion of the distal end 17055 of the second portion 17054. Also similar to
the above, the
sidewalls of the window 17074 can be configured to engage and compress the
tissue
thickness compensator 17030 against the deck 17014 of the cartridge body
17010.
Furthermore, at least a portion of the second portion 17054 can be contained
within the
mount portion 17070. The distal mount portion 17070 can comprise one or more
pins
17072 extending therefrom which can be releasably secured within one or more
pin
apertures 17011 defined in the cartridge body 17010. Each pin 17070 and pin
aperture
17011 can be sized and configured such that the sidewalls of the pin aperture
17011 can
apply a retention force to the pin 17072 which resists the removal of the pin
17072 from
the pin aperture 17011. In various circumstances, each pin 17072 can be
releasably
press-fit and/or snap-fit within a pin aperture 17011.
[0452] To assemble the staple cartridge 17000, in at least one circumstance,
the tissue
thickness compensator 17030 can be positioned against the deck 17014 of the
cartridge
body 17010 and the proximal mounts 17060 and the distal mount 17070 can then
be
assembled to cartridge body 17010. The mounts 17060, 17070 can be assembled to
the
cartridge body 17010 to capture or trap the tissue thickness compensator 17050
against
the cartridge body 17010 as discussed above. As also discussed above, the
mounts
17060, 17070 can be configured to capture and releasably retain the ends of
the second
portion 17074 to the cartridge body 17010. In certain circumstances, the
proximal
mounts17060 and/or the distal mount 17070 can be configured to capture at
least a portion
of the first portion 17052 therein. While the tissue thickness compensator
17050 depicted
in FIGS. 67-69 comprises two portions, various alternatives are envisioned in
which a
tissue thickness compensator can comprise more than two portions. For example,
a tissue
thickness compensator can comprise a compressible first portion 17052 and two
or more
rigid second portions 17054 extending therethrough. Also, for example, a
tissue thickness
compensator can comprise two or more compressible portions arranged in any
suitable
arrangement, such as in two or more layers, for example.
[0453] Once assembled, the staple cartridge 17000 can be assembled to a
surgical
stapler. In at least one circumstance, the staple cartridge 17000 can be
removably
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retained with a channel defined in an end effector of the surgical stapler and
then inserted
into a surgical site within a patient. The proximal mounts 17060 and/or the
distal mount
17070 can be configured to retain the tissue thickness compensator 17050 to
the cartridge
body 17010 while the staple cartridge 17000 is inserted into and/or
manipulated within the
surgical site. The second portion 17054 of the tissue thickness compensator
17050 can
provide sufficient rigidity to the tissue thickness compensator 17050 such
that the tissue
thickness compensator 17050 does not become detached from the cartridge body
17010
until one or more of the proximal mounts 17060 and/or the distal mount 17070
is incised
and/or detached from the cartridge body 17010, as discussed in greater detail
below.
Owing to the rigidity of the second portion 17054, in various circumstances,
the attributes
of the first portion 17052 of the tissue thickness compensator 17050 can be
primarily or
exclusively selected so as to provide the desired tissue compensation
properties of the
tissue thickness compensator 17050. In use, the second portion 17054 of the
tissue
thickness compensator 17050 can resist relative movement between the proximal
end
17053 and the distal end 17055 and, in various circumstances, resist the
movement of the
proximal end 17053 and the distal end 17055 toward one another.
[0454] Once the staple cartridge 17000 has been suitably positioned, in
various
circumstances, a firing member 17030 can be advanced through the staple
cartridge
17000 to deploy the staples removably positioned therein. The staple cartridge
17000 can
include a movable member 17034 which can be advanced from a proximal end of
the
staple cartridge 17000 toward a distal end of the staple cartridge 17000 by
the firing
member 17030. The movable member 17034, further to the above, can be
configured to
lift the staples removably stored within the cartridge body 17010 between an
unfired
position and a fired position. The firing member 17030 can further comprise a
cutting
portion, such as knife 17032, for example, which can be configured to transect
the tissue
being stapled as the firing member 17030 is advanced distally through the
staple cartridge
17000. The knife 17032 can also be configured to transect the tissue thickness
compensator 17050 as the firing member 17030 is advanced distally through the
staple
cartridge 17000. Referring primarily to FIGS. 67 and 68, the proximal end
17053 of the
second portion 17054 can be severed by the knife 17032. In at least one such
embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator 17050 can be at least partially
severed, or
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entirely severed, along a longitudinal axis at least partially defined by
notch 17057 defined
therein. As illustrated in FIG. 68, the notch 17057 can be aligned, or at
least substantially
aligned, with a longitudinal knife slot 17015 extending through the cartridge
body 17010.
Once the proximal end 17053 of the second portion 17054 has been at least
partially
transected by the knife 17032, the second portion 17054 can be at least
partially released
from, or can be releasable from, the proximal mounts 17060a, 17060b. In such
circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator 17050 can become detached from
the
cartridge body 17010. For instance, the firing member 17030 may be at least
partially
advanced, or entirely advanced, through the staple cartridge 17000 to at least
partially, or
entirely, implant the tissue thickness compensator 17050 against the tissue
and, owing to
the at least partial transection of the tissue thickness compensator 17050,
especially the
second portion 17054, the tissue thickness compensator 17050 can be
sufficiently flexible
so as to slide out of the proximal mount portions 17060a, 17060b and the
distal mount
17070. In use, in various circumstances, the firing member 17030 can be
retracted to its
proximal, or starting, position after the firing member 17030 has been at
least partially fired
and the tissue thickness compensator 17050 has been at least partially
implanted wherein
the cartridge body 17010 can then be pulled away from the implanted tissue
thickness
compensator 17050. For instance, if the cartridge body 17010 is pulled away
from the
tissue thickness compensator 17050 along the longitudinal axis, the at least
partially
transected tissue thickness compensator 17050 may be able to buckle
longitudinally and
the proximal and distal ends of the tissue thickness compensator 17050 may
move toward
one another, for example.
[0455] Referring now to FIGS. 70-72, a tissue thickness compensator 17150 can
comprise a compressible portion 17152 and a mount portion 17154 extending
through
and/or extending from the compressible portion 17152. The compressible portion
17152
can comprise a proximal end 17153 which can include a thickness which is less
than the
thickness of the body portion 17156 of the tissue thickness compensator 17150.
In at least
one such embodiment, the proximal end 17153 can comprise a tapered portion,
for
example. Referring again to FIGS. 70-72, a staple cartridge assembly, such as
staple
cartridge 17100, for example, can include a proximal mount 17160 configured to
releasably secure the mount portion 17154 of the tissue thickness compensator
17150 to a
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cartridge body 17010. Proximal mount 17160 can comprise one or more locks
17162
extending therefrom which can be received within one or more keyholes 10112
defined in
the cartridge body 17110. In at least one such embodiment, each of the locks
17162 can
comprise a leg and a foot extending from the leg wherein the leg can be
configured to flex
laterally as the lock 17162 is inserted into a keyhole 17112 and then
resiliently return, or at
least substantially return, to its unfiexed configuration such that the foot
can releasably
engage, or move behind, a sidewall of the keyhole 17112. Similar to the above,
the
proximal mount 17160 can further comprise a cavity 17164 configured to receive
the
proximal mount portion 17154 of the tissue thickness compensator 17150. The
cavity
17164 can be configured to compress the proximal mount portion 17154 against
the deck
of the cartridge body 17110 and hold the proximal end of the tissue thickness
compensator
17150 in position. In various circumstances, a firing member, such as firing
member
17030, for example, can be configured to incise the proximal mount 17160 as
the firing
member 17030 is being advanced to incise the tissue thickness compensator
17150. In at
least one such circumstance, the incision of the proximal mount 17160 can
release the
tissue thickness compensator 17150 from the cartridge body 17110. Referring
again to
the embodiment depicted in FIG. 68, for example, the firing member 17030 can
be
configuied to pass though a slot defined between the proximal mount portions
17060a,
17060b and, in at least some circumstances, pass through the proximal mount
portions
17060a, 17060b without incising the same.
[0456] Referring now to FIGS. 73-76, further to the above, a proximal mount
for
releasably holding a tissue thickness compensator to a cartridge body can
comprise first
and second portions 17260a, 17260b which, when assembled to the cartridge
body, can
define a longitudinal gap or slot 17267 which can be sized and configured to
permit the
firing member 17030 to pass therebetween. Similar to the above, each of the
first and
second portions 17260a, 17260b can comprise a cavity 17264 configured to at
least
partially receive and hold a tissue thickness compensator in place. Also
similar to the
above, each of the first and second portions 17260a, 17260b can comprise locks
17262
extending therefrom which can be configured to engage the cartridge body.
[0457] As discussed above, a staple cartridge assembly can include a proximal
mount or
attachment portion configured to hold the proximal end of a tissue thickness
compensator
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to the proximal end of a cartridge body and a distal mount or attachment
portion configured
to hold the distal end of the tissue thickness compensator to the distal end
of the cartridge
body. In certain other embodiments, a staple cartridge assembly may only
comprise at
least one proximal mount or at least one distal mount for holding the tissue
thickness
compensator to the cartridge body. Turning now to FIG. 147, a cartridge
assembly 17300
can comprise a cartridge body 17310 and a tissue thickness compensator 17350,
wherein
the distal end of the tissue thickness compensator 17350 can comprise a distal
end 17355
configured to be releasably mounted to the cartridge body 17310. In at least
this
embodiment, the distal end of the cartridge body 17310 can include lock
apertures 17011
configured to receive and attach at least one distal mount to the cartridge
body 17310.
The reader will appreciate, at least with respect to this embodiment, that the
cartridge
assembly 17300 does not further include a proximal mount for mounting the
proximal end
of the tissue thickness compensator 17350 to the cartridge body 17310. In
various
circumstances, the distal end 17355 can be integrally formed with the body
portion 17356
of the tissue thickness compensator 17350 or, alternatively, attached to the
body portion
17356.
[0458] In various embodiments, referring now to FIGS. 156 and 157, a staple
cartridge
assembly, such as staple cartridge 10400, for example, can comprise a
cartridge body
10410 including a distal end, or nose, 10419 which can be configured to
releasably hold a
tissue thickness compensator 10450 in position. Similar to the above, the
tissue thickness
compensator 10450 can comprise a first portion 10452 mounted to a second
portion
10454, wherein the second portion 10454 can include a distal end 10455
configured to be
releasably held by the nose 10419. In various circumstances, the nose 10419
and a deck
10414 of the cartridge body 10410 can define a slot 10418 therebetween
configured to
receive the distal end 10455. The nose 10419 can be comprised of a resilient
material
which can be sized and configured such that the nose 10419 is biased into
engagement
with the distal end 10455. In use, referring to FIG. 157, the nose 10419 can
be sufficiently
flexible so as to permit the tissue thickness compensator 10450 to slide out
from
underneath the nose 10419 when the cartridge body 10410 is moved away from the
tissue
thickness compensator 10450 after the tissue thickness compensator 10450 has
been at
least partially implanted. Turning now to FIG. 158, further to the above, the
first layer
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10452 can be comprised of a compressible foam which can be mounted to the
second
layer 10454. In various circumstances, one or more adhesives can be utilized
to mount
the first layer 10452 to the second layer 10454. The first layer 10452 can be
mounted to
the second layer 10454 such that the distal end 10455 and a notch 10457
defined in the
distal end 10455 remain exposed. The first layer 10452 may be mounted to the
second
layer 10454 such that the first layer 10452 is centered laterally with respect
to a
longitudinal center axis 10459 defined by the second layer 10454.
[0459] As discussed above, a staple cartridge assembly can include a movable
firing
member at least partially stored therein which can be configured to lift
staples stored within
the staple cartridge assembly between unfired positions and fired positions.
Turning now
to FIGS. 159 and 160, a staple cartridge assembly 10500 can include a
cartridge body
10510, a tissue thickness compensator 10550, and a movable firing member, or
sled,
10034 slidably stored therein. The sled 10034 can include one or more ramps
10035
defined thereon which can be configured to lift the staples from their unfired
positions to
their fired positions in use. Prior to use, the sled 10034 can be releasably
locked in
position. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator
10550 can
be configured to releasably hold the sled 10034 in a proximal position before
the sled
10034 is advanced distally to eject the staples from the staple cartridge
assembly 10500
and incise the tissue thickness compensator 10550. The tissue thickness
compensator
10550 can comprise one or more tabs, or detents, 10557 extending therefrom
which can
releasably engage the sled 10034. For instance, the sled 10034 can include one
or more
recesses 10037 within which the detents 10557 can be positioned until a
sufficient force is
applied to the sled 10034 which can cause the sled 10034 to overcome the
retention force
applied to the sled 10034 by the detents 10557. In use, the detents 10557 can
be
configured to hold the sled 10034 in position until a longitudinal firing
force applied to the
sled 10034 in the distal direction exceeds a threshold force wherein, when the
firing force
exceeds the threshold force, the sled 10034 can slide distally and the detents
10557 can
sufficiently flex, or otherwise deform, to permit the sled 10034 to slide
thereby. In at least
one embodiment, the detents 10557 can be positioned proximal to the staple
cavities
defined in the cartridge body 10510 and/or proximal to the staples stored
within the
cartridge body 10510 such that the sled 10034 can be releasably held in an
unfired
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position which is proximal to the staples. Once the sled 10034 has been
advanced
distally, the sled 10034 can be advanced toward the staples.
[0460] Further to the above, referring again to FIGS. 159 and 160, the
cartridge body
10510 can include one or more retention slots 10517 which can be configured to
receive at
least a portion of the detents 10557. More particularly, in at least the
illustrated
embodiment, a retention slot 10517 defined in one side of the cartridge body
10510 can be
aligned with a recess 10037 defined in a corresponding side of the sled 10034
when the
sled 10034 is in its proximal, unfired position such that a detent 10557 can
be concurrently
positioned within the aligned retention slot 10517 and the recess 10037. In at
least one
such embodiment, the sidewalls of the retention slot 10517 defined in the
cartridge body
10510 can support the detent 10557 and at least inhibit the detent 10557 from
becoming
prematurely dislodged from the recess 10037. As discussed above, the sled
10034 can be
advanced distally such that the recess 10037 is no longer aligned with the
detent 10557;
however, in at least the illustrated embodiment, the detent 10557 may remain
aligned with
and/or positioned within the retention slot 10517 after the sled 10034 has
been at least
partially advanced. Referring primarily to FIG. 159, a first arrangement
comprising a
detent 10557, a sled recess 10037, and a cartridge retention slot 10517 can be
arranged
with respect to a first side of the sled 10034 and a second arrangement
comprising a
second detent 10557, a second sled recess 10037, and a second cartridge
retention slot
10517 can be arranged with respect to a second, or opposite, side of the sled
10034.
[0461] Certain embodiments of staple cartridges can include a pliable layer,
such as a
tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example, on a
staple deck,
wherein staples can arranged so that the tips of the unfired staples extend
into the layer.
In certain other embodiments, the pliable layer can comprise a compressible
and/or
crushable staple cartridge that is implantable in a patient and deforms and/or
compresses
when captured in the staples. The pliable layer and/or implantable staple
cartridge can
also deform and/or compress if a surgeon, nurse, technician, or other user
("user or
"users") inadvertently presses a thumb or other finger against the pliable
layer or
implantable staple cartridge, for example. Such deformation and/or compression
can
render the staple cartridge unusable.
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[0462] Staple cartridge retainers are often supplied with retainers, which can
assist the
user in loading the staple cartridge into a surgical stapler. The retainer can
also cover the
staple deck and any pliable layer, thereby preventing the users from
inadvertently
compressing, crushing, and/or deforming the pliable layer. However, users
sometimes
prematurely remove the staple cartridge retainer prior to fully installing the
staple cartridge
into an end effector of a surgical stapler. By prematurely removing the
retainer, the users
can risk causing damage to the pliable layer.
[0463] FIGS. 164-167 illustrate an embodiment of a retainer 10000 that can be
attached
to a staple cartridge 10010. Referring to FIG. 166 and 167, the staple
cartridge 10010 can
include a pliable layer 10020, such as a tissue thickness compensator and/or a
buttress
material, arranged on a staple deck 10011 of the staple cartridge 10010. As
shown in FIG.
167, staples 10030 can extend from the staple cartridge 10010 into the exposed
pliable
layer 10020. If the retainer 10000 is prematurely removed, a user may
inadvertently press
on the pliable layer 10020 while pushing the staple cartridge 10010 into a
staple cartridge
channel of an end effector, thereby compressing and/or deforming the layer
10020.
[0464] FIGS. 168-173 illustrate an embodiment of a retainer 2600 that can be
locked to a
staple cartridge 2650 and that cannot be unlocked and removed from the staple
cartridge
2650 until the staple cartridge 2650 is fully inserted into a staple cartridge
channel 2870 of
an end effector. As best illustrated in FIG. 168, a proximal end portion 2604
of the retainer
2600 can include movable cam portions 2616 with locking tabs 2626 extending
from the
movable cam portions 2616. The locking tabs 2626 extend into and engage a slot
2652,
such as a knife slot, in the staple cartridge 2650. The engagement of the
locking tabs
2626 within the slot 2652 releasably holds the retainer 2600 and the staple
cartridge 2650
together. As explained in greater detail below, the locking tabs only
disengage from the
slot 2652 such that the retainer 2600 can be released and removed from the
staple
cartridge 2650 after the earn portions 2616 of the retainer 2616 engage a key
in the staple
cartridge channel 2670 that causes the cam portions 2616 to inwardly flex
toward one
another. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the cam portions 2616 can only
engage
the key if the staple cartridge 2650 is properly seated in the staple
cartridge channel 2670.
[0465] As described above, in certain embodiments, the proximal end portion
2604 of
the retainer 2600 can include cam portions 2616, each of which is attached to
the body
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2606 of the retainer 2600 by a neck 2624. The cam portions 2616 can be
separated from
one another by a gap 2622. The cam portions 2616 can flex inwardly in the
direction of
arrow I (shown in FIG. 172) when an inwardly-compressive force is applied and
can
resiliently flex outwardly in the direction of arrow 0 (shown in FIG. 170)
about the necks
2624. A locking tab 2626 can extend from each cam portion 2618. As described
in
greater detail below, when arranged on a staple cartridge 2650, the locking
tabs 2626 can
extend into and releasably engage a slot 2652, such as a knife slot, in the
staple cartridge
2650. Referring primarily to FIGS. 170 and 171, the cam portions can be biased
in an
outwardly flexed position such that lips 2628 extending from the locking tabs
2626 can
engage ridges 2654 in the slot 2652 in the staple cartridge 2650. Biasing the
cam portions
2616 in the outwardly flexed position can push the lips 2628 of the locking
tabs 2626 into
engagement with the ridges 2654 in the slot 2652 such that the retainer 2600
is locked to
the staple cartridge 2650 absent an inwardly-compressive force from the key of
the staple
cartridge channel 2670.
[0466] Referring primarily to FIGS. 170-173, in various embodiments, the key
of the
staple cartridge channel 2670 can include interior walls of the staple
cartridge channel
2670 that provide a progressively increasing inwardly-compressive force to the
cam
portions 2616 such that the cam portions 2616 can flex inwardly in the
direction of arrow I
(shown in FIG. 172) as the retainer 2600 and the staple cartridge 2650 are
inserted into
the staple cartridge channel 2670. For example, the staple cartridge channel
2670 can
include first interior wails 2672 defining a first width that can accommodate
the cam
portions 2616 in their biased, outwardly-flexed position. The staple cartridge
channel 2670
can include second interior walls 2676 defining a second width that can
accommodate the
cam portions 2616 in an inwardly-flexed position, as shown in FIG. 172. The
staple
cartridge channel 2670 can include intermediate interior walls 2674 positioned
intermediate the first interior walls 2672 and the second interior walls 2676
that can
transition from the first width to the second width. In use, the staple
cartridge 2650 and the
retainer 2600 are moved in a proximal direction relative to and toward the
staple cartridge
channel 2670 to be inserted into the staple cartridge channel 2670, indicated
by arrow P in
FIGS. 170 and 172. Referring primarily to FIGS. 170 and 171, as the staple
cartridge 2650
and retainer 2600 are moved toward the staple cartridge channel 2670, rounded
ends
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2620 and outward-facing surfaces 2618 of the cam portions 2616 can engage the
first
walls 2672 of the staple cartridge channel 2670. As described above, in
certain
embodiments, the first walls 2672 can define a width that accommodates the cam
portions
2616 in their biased, outwardly-flexed position. In various other embodiments,
the first
walls 2672 can define a width that accommodates the cam portions 2616 in a
partially
inwardly-flexed position, wherein the partial amount of inward flexing is
sufficiently enough
such that the lips 2628 of the locking tabs 2626 do not disengage from the
ridges 2654 of
the staple cartridge 2650 and the retainer 2600 becomes unlocked from the
staple
cartridge 2650. Referring now to FIGS. 172 and 173, as the staple cartridge
2650 and
retainer 2600 continue to move proximally toward the staple cartridge channel
2670 in the
direction of arrow P, the rounded ends 2620 and outward-facing surfaces 2618
engage the
intermediate walls 2674 and then the second walls 2676. The intermediate walls
2674 and
the second walls 2676 can provide a progressively increasing force that can
cause the
cam portions 2616 to flex progressively inward. Eventually, the cam portions
2616 will flex
inwardly by an amount such that the lips 2628 of the locking tabs 2626 can be
disengaged
from the ridges 2654 in the slot 2652 of the staple cartridge 2650. When the
locking tabs
2626 are disengaged from the ridges 2654, the retainer 2600 is unlocked from
the staple
car fridge 2650 such that the retainer 2600 can be r ernoved flom the staple
cartridge 2650.
In various embodiments, the cam portions 2616 flex inwardly so that the tabs
2626
disengage from the ridges 2654 only when the staple cartridge 2650 is fully
inserted into
the staple cartridge channel 2670.
[0467] In certain embodiments, a lockable retainer, such as retainer 2600
described
above with reference to FIGS. 168-173, can also prevent a staple cartridge of
a particular
size from being inserted into an end effector that is intended for use with a
staple cartridge
of a different particular size. For example, the staple cartridge 2650 can
comprise a datum
surface 2632 that can engage a datum surface 2674 of the staple cartridge
channel 2670.
A first predetermined distance from the datum surface 2632 of the staple
cartridge 2650 to
the cam portions 2616 can correspond to a second predetermined distance
between the
datum surface 2674 of the staple cartridge channel 2670 and the walls 2672,
2674, and
2676 that comprise the key of the staple cartridge channel 2670. The first and
second
predetermined distances for a particularly-sized retainer and staple cartridge
and for a
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staple cartridge channel intended for use with the particularly-sized staple
cartridge can be
different from the first and second predetermined distances for other
differently-sized
retainers, staple cartridges, and staple cartridge channels. Put differently,
each size of
staple cartridge, retainer, and staple cartridge channel can have a first
predetermined
distance and a second predetermined distance that is different from other
sizes of staple
cartridge, retainer, and staple cartridge channel. As a result, attempting to
insert a staple
cartridge and retainer into a incorrectly-sized staple cartridge channel can
result in the cam
portions of the retainer not engaging the walls of the staple cartridge
channel and/or the
datum surfaces of the staple cartridge and the staple cartridge channel not
engaging. For
example, the staple cartridge 2650 and the retainer 2600 can be arranged so
that, when
they are inserted into a correctly-sized staple cartridge channel, the cam
portions 2616 can
only engage the second walls 2676 of the staple cartridge channel 2670 such
that the
locking tabs 2626 disengage from the slot 2652 in the staple cartridge 2650
when the
datum surfaces 2632 and 2674 engage one another. If the staple cartridge 2650
and the
retainer 2600 are too short for the staple cartridge channel 2670, for
example, then the
cam portions 2616 may not reach the second walls 2676 such that the locking
tabs 2626
can be disengaged from the slot 2552 in the staple cartridge 2650 when the
datum
surfaces 2632 and 2674 are engaged. As a result, the retainer 2600 would not
be
unlocked and removable from the staple cartridge 2650. Conversely, if the
staple cartridge
2650 and the retainer 2600 are too long for the staple cartridge channel 2670,
for example,
then the cam portions 2616 engaging the second walls 2676 of the staple
cartridge
channel 2670 could prevent the datum surfaces 2632 and 2674 of the staple
cartridge
2650 and the staple cartridge channel 2670, respectively, from engaging. As a
result, the
staple cartridge 2650 would not be completely seated in the staple cartridge
channel 2670.
[0468] In addition to the locking tabs 2626 extending from the cam portions
2616, the
retainer 2600 can also include a pair of proximal tabs 2612 arranged near a
proximal end
2602 of the retainer 2600 and a pair of distal tabs 2610 arranged near a
distal end 2604 of
the retainer 2600. The proximal tabs 2608 and the distal tabs 2610 can extend
from the
body 2606 and can engage and releasably hold the staple cartridge 2650. In
certain
embodiments, the proximal tabs 2612 and the distal tabs 2610 can engage and
hold the
staple cartridge 2650 until the staple cartridge 2650 is fully seated in the
staple cartridge
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channel 2670. Stated differently, the proximal tabs 2612 and/or the distal
tabs 2610 can
serve as another lock that prevents the retainer 2600 from being removed from
the staple
cartridge 2650 before the staple cartridge 2650 is completely seated in the
staple cartridge
channel 2670.
[0469] Referring primarily to FIG. 168, each proximal tab 2612 can include a
proximal lip
2614 and each distal tab 2610 can include a distal lip 2610. Each proximal lip
2614 can
include an inward-facing angled surface 2615 and each distal lip 2610 can
include an
inward-facing angled surface 2611. The proximal lips 2614 and the distal lips
2610 can
engage and releasably hold lateral sides of the staple cartridge 2650. When
the staple
cartridge 2650 and the retainer 2600 are inserted into the staple cartridge
channel 2670,
the inward-facing angled surfaces 2611 and 2615 can engage edges 2672 and 2678
of the
staple cartridge channel 2670. The edges 2672 and 2678 of the staple cartridge
channel
2670 can flex outwardly the proximal tabs 2612 and/or the distal tabs 2610
such that the
proximal lips 2614 and the distal lips 2610 disengage from the lateral sides
of the staple
cartridge 2650. When the proximal lips 2614 and the distal lips 2610 are
disengaged, the
retainer 2600 can be released and removed from the staple cartridge 2650.
[0470] Referring to FIGS. 174-180, the end effector 12 of a surgical
instrument, for
example, can be configured to receive an end effector insert 28010. In various
embodiments, the end effector insert 28010 can comprise a compensator body
28012 and
at least one clip 28014a, 28014b. In various embodiments, the end effector
insert 28010
can comprise a proximal clip 28014b at the proximal end of the compensator
body 28012
and a distal clip 28014a at the distal end of the compensator body 28012, for
example.
Referring primarily to FIG. 177, the distal clip 28014a can be secured to the
anvil 25060 of
the end effector 12 at or near the distal end of the anvil 25060. For example.
the distal clip
28014a can be substantially aligned with and/or partially positioned within
the longitudinal
slot 25062 of the anvil 25060. Referring primarily to FIG. 178, the proximal
clip 28014b
can be secured to a staple cartridge 25000 in the lower jaw 25070 of the end
effector 12
(FIG. 179). The proximal clip 28014b can be secured to the staple cartridge
25000 at or
near the proximal end of the staple cartridge 25000. For example, the proximal
clip
28014b can be substantially aligned with and/or positioned within a
longitudinal slot 25004
in the staple cartridge 25000.
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[0471] Referring now to FIGS. 179 and 180, the end effector insert 28010 can
be
inserted into the end effector 12 of a surgical instrument. In various
embodiments, at least
a portion of the end effector insert 28010, such as the compensator body
28012, distal
clips 28014a, and/or proximal clip 28014b, can be deformable and/or resilient,
for example.
When the end effector insert 28010 is inserted into the end effector 12, the
distal and/or
the proximal clips 28014a, 28014b can bend or flex. When the clips 28014a,
28014b are
flexed, for example, the clips 28014a. 28014b can seek to return to their
initial,
undeformed configuration and can generate a corresponding springback or
restoring force,
for example. In various embodiments, when the end effector insert 28010 is
positioned
within the end effector 12, the end effector insert 28010 can apply a spring
load to the end
effector 12. In some embodiments, the end effector insert 28010 can be solid
or
substantially solid such that an operator can grasp the insert 28010 when the
operator is
inserting the end effector insert 28010 and staple cartridge 25000 into the
end effector 12.
[0472] In some embodiments, the end effector insert 28010 can be removed from
the
end effector 12 prior to cuffing and/or fastening operations of the end
effector 12. In other
embodiments, the end effector insert 28010 can remain positioned in the end
effector 12
during cutting and/or firing operations. For example, the end effector insert
28010 can be
transected by the cutting element 25052 as staples are fired from their
staples cavities
25002 (FIG. 178) in the staple cartridge 25000. In various embodiments, the
end effector
insert 28010 can comprise a tissue thickness compensation material, similar to
at least
one of the tissue thickness compensators described herein. For example, the
end effector
insert 28010 can comprise a polymeric composition, such as a bioabsorbable,
biocompatible elastomeric polymer, for example. The end effector insert 28010
can further
comprise a bioabsorbable polymer, such as, for example, lyophilized
polysaccharide,
glycoprotein, elastin, proteoglycan, gelatin, collagen, and/or oxidized
regenerated cellulose
(ORC), for example. In some embodiments, the end effector insert 28010 can
comprise at
least one therapeutic agent such as a pharmaceutically active agent or
medicament.
[0473] Referring still to FIGS. 174-180, the end effector insert 28010 can be
releasably
attached to the end effector 12 and/or to the anvil 25060 and/or the staple
cartridge 25000
of the end effector 12. The proximal clip 28014b can be releasably secured to
the staple
cartridge 25000 (FIG. 178), for example, and the distal clip 28014a can be
releasably
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secured to the anvil 25060 (FIG. 177), for example. In various embodiments,
the proximal
clip 28014b can be aligned with and/or retained within the slot 25004 of the
staple
cartridge 25000. Further, in certain embodiments, the distal clip 28014a can
be aligned
with and/or retained within the slot 25062 of the anvil 25060. Referring
primarily to FIG.
179, in certain embodiments, the proximal clip 28014b can be releasably
secured to the
staple cartridge 25000 before the staple cartridge 25000 is positioned in the
lower jaw
25070 (FIG. 179). As the staple cartridge 25000 and the attached end effector
insert
28010 are moved toward and/or into the end effector 12 and/or the lower jaw
25070, the
distal clip 28014a can be moved into alignment with the slot 25062 in the
anvil 25060, for
example. In various embodiments, when the staple cartridge 25000 and the end
effector
insert 28010 are positioned in the end effector 12 (FIG. 180), the distal clip
28014a can
release* engage the anvil 25060. The distal clip 28014a can slide into the
slot 25062 in
the anvil 25060, for example. In various embodiments, the distal clip 28014a
can be
positioned relative to the anvil 25060 before or while the proximal clip
28014b is positioned
relative to the staple cartridge 25000.
[0474] When the end effector insert 28010 is releasably secured within the end
effector
12, for example by the proximal clip 28014b and the distal clip 28014a as
described
herein, the end effector insert 28010 can be held in tension in the end
effector 12. Stated
differently, the proximal clip 28014b secured relative to the staple cartridge
25000 in the
lower jaw 25070 can exert a pulling force along the end effector insert 28010
and on the
distal clip 28014a secured relative to the anvil 25060, for example. In
various
embodiments, the tension between the proximal clip 28015b and the distal clip
28014a can
help to hold the end effector insert 28010 in the end effector 12.
[0475] In various embodiments, when the staple cartridge 25000 and end
effector insert
28010 are positioned in the end effector 12, the proximal clip 28014b can be
positioned
intermediate the unfired sled 25056 (FIG. 178) and the staple cartridge 25000.
For
example, the unfired sled 25056 can be proximal to the proximal clip 28013b.
In certain
embodiments, during a firing stroke, the sled 25056 can move distally past the
proximal
clip 28014b, and can deflect the proximal clip 28014b, for example. In various
embodiments, when the sled 25056 deflects the proximal clip 28014b during the
firing
stroke, the proximal clip 28014b can be released from the slot 25004 in the
staple cartridge
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25000. In certain embodiments, the sled 25056 and/or an element of the firing
bar 25050
(illustrated elsewhere) can release the proximal clip 28014b from the staple
cartridge
25000. Further, when the proximal clip 28014b is released from the staple
cartridge
25000, the tension in the end effector insert 28010 can be at least partially
relieved. In the
absence of a pulling force exerted on the distal clip 28014a, the distal clip
28014a can
release from the anvil 25060. Accordingly, the end effector insert 28010 can
be released
from the end effector 12 and, for example, can remain in the patient's tissue
after the end
effector 12 has been removed from the patient.
[0476] In certain embodiments, a proximal end of an anvil-attachable layer,
such as a
tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example, can be
releasably
attached to a proximal end of a staple cartridge for alignment with and
attachment to an
anvil of an end effector into which the staple cartridge can be inserted.
Generally, the
anvil-attachable layer can be arranged relative to an anvil-facing side of a
staple cartridge.
For example, the anvil-attachable layer can be arranged on a staple deck of
the staple
cartridge and/or can be arranged on a staple deck layer. A proximal end of the
anvil-
attachable layer can be attached to a proximal end of the staple cartridge or
a proximal
end of the staple deck layer. After the staple cartridge is inserted into the
end effector of
the surgical stapler, the anvil of the surgical stapler can be closed against
the anvil-
attachable layer such that the layer becomes attached to the anvil. When the
anvil is
reopened, the anvil-attachable layer, now attached to the anvil, can move with
the anvil
and away from the staple cartridge. In various circumstances, as the attached
layer
moves with the anvil, the attached layer can pivot about its proximal end that
is attached to
the staple cartridge and/or the staple cartridge layer. In various other
circumstances, as
the attached layer moves with the anvil, the proximal end of the layer can
detach from the
staple cartridge. The surgical stapler, with the anvil-attachable layer
attached to the anvil,
can now cut and staple patient tissue. The anvil-attachable layer can also be
cut by the
surgical stapler and captured by the staples. After the anvil-attachable layer
and patient
tissue are captured by the staples, the surgical stapler can be removed from
the patient.
In various embodiments in which the anvil-attachable layer is still attached
to the staple
cartridge, the surgical stapler can be pulled free from the layer, breaking
the attachment
between the layer and the staple cartridge.
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[0477] FIGS. 181 and 182 illustrate an embodiment of a staple cartridge
assembly 2400
comprising an anvil-attachable layer 2414. The anvil-attachable layer 2414 can
comprise
a tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example. A
proximal end
2416 of the anvil-attachable layer 2414 can be attached to a proximal end 2418
of a staple
cartridge body 2402. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge assembly
2400 can
include a staple cartridge layer 2412, such as a tissue thickness compensator
and/or a
buttress material, for example, arranged on a staple deck of the staple
cartridge body
2402. A cartridge pan 2404 can at least partially surround the staple
cartridge body 2402
and can be comprised of a metal material, for example. The staple cartridge
body 2402
can include a surface 2406 and grooves 2408 defined in the surface 2406 at a
proximal
end 2418 of the cartridge body 2402. Referring to FIG. 181, in order to attach
the anvil-
attachable layer 2414 to the staple cartridge body 2402, a proximal end
portion 2416 of the
anvil-attachable layer 2414 can be positioned over the grooves 2408. Then, as
shown in
FIG. 182, tabs 2410 extending from the cartridge pan 2404 can be deformed such
that
they extend into the grooves 2408, capturing the proximal end portion 2416 of
the anvil-
attachable layer 2414 in the grooves 2408 between the side walls of the
grooves 2408 and
the tabs 2410, for example. The tabs 2410 can also capture the anvil-
attachable layer
2414 between bottoms of the grooves 2408 and the tabs 2410, for example.
[0478] In use, the staple cartridge assembly 2400 shown in FIG. 182, can be
inserted
into a staple cartridge channel of an end effector of a surgical stapler.
Then, an anvil of
the end effector can be closed against the anvil-attachable layer 2414. The
anvil-
attachable layer 2414 can be arranged on the staple cartridge body 2402 such
that the
layer 2414 is properly aligned with the anvil when the staple cartridge
assembly 2400 is
inserted into the staple cartridge channel 2400 and the anvil is then closed.
In various
embodiments, an anvil-facing surface 2415 of the anvil-attachable layer 2414
can include
an adhesive that can adhere to a surface of the anvil and/or one or more
attachment
features that engage the anvil to attach the anvil-attachable layer 2414 to
the anvil. For
example, the anvil-facing surface 2415 can include one or more protrusions
extending
therefrom that can engage a knife slot of the anvil. After the anvil-
attachable layer 2414
has been attached to the anvil, the anvil can be returned to an open position
with the anvil-
attachable layer 2414 attached thereto. The portion of the anvil-attachable
layer 2414
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attached to the anvil can pivot about the proximal end 2416 of the layer 2414
that is
attached to the staple cartridge body 2402 to enable the layer 2414 to move
with the anvil.
Now, the surgical stapler can comprise a staple cartridge layer 2412 aligned
on the staple
cartridge body 2402 and the anvil-attachable layer 2414 attached to and
aligned with the
anvil.
[0479] When the staple cartridge layer 2412 aligned with the staple cartridge
body 2402
and the anvil-attachable layer 2414 attached to and aligned with the anvil,
the surgical
stapler is prepared for use to cut and staple patient tissue. The staple
cartridge body 2402
and the staple cartridge layer 2412 can be positioned on one side of the
patient tissue and
the anvil and anvil-attachable layer 2414 can be positioned on an opposite
side of the
patient tissue. The attachment of the anvil-attachable layer 2414 to the anvil
and to the
staple cartridge body 2402 can stabilize the anvil-attachable layer 2414
relative to the anvil
while the stapler is being positioned against the patient tissue. When the
surgical stapler
is properly positioned relative to patient tissue, the anvil can be closed,
capturing the tissue
between the staple cartridge body 2402 and the staple cartridge layer 2412 on
one side of
the tissue and the anvil and the anvil-attachable layer 2414 on a second
opposing side of
the tissue.
[0480] After the anvil is closed with patient tissue captured between the
staple cartridge
body 2402 and the staple cartridge layer 2412 on one side and the anvil and
anvil-
attachable layer 2414 on the other side, the surgical stapler can be fired.
For example. a
staple driver can be advanced in a distal direction through staple driver
slots 2422 in the
staple cartridge body 2402 to fire and form staples that are stored in the
staple cartridge.
The fired and formed staples can capture the staple cartridge layer 2412, the
anvil-
attachable layer 2414, and the patient tissue therebetween. Also, a cutting
blade can be
advanced in the distal direction through a knife slot 2420 in the cartridge
body 2402 and a
knife slot in the anvil. The cutting blade can sever the staple cartridge
layer 2412, the
anvil-attachable layer 2414, and the patient tissue therebetween as the
cutting blade is
advanced. In various embodiments, the staple driver and the cutting blade can
be
advanced simultaneously. In various circumstances, the staple driver can lead
the cutting
blade such that the staples are fired and formed before the cutting blade
severs the patient
tissue, the staple cartridge layer 2412, and the anvil-attachable layer 2414.
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[0481] After the staple cartridge layer, the anvil-attachable layer 2414, and
the patient
tissue therebetween have been captured by the staples and cut by the cutting
blade, the
anvil can be reopened. When the anvil is reopened, the anvil-attachable layer
2414 that is
now attached to the staple cartridge layer 2412 and the patient tissue by the
staples can
be detached from the anvil. For example, as the anvil is opened and/or as the
surgical
stapler is removed from the patient, the anvil-attachable layer 2414 can be
held in place by
the staples and the patient tissue, such that the layer 2414 can be pulled
away from an
adhesive and/or attachment feature, for example, that is holding the layer
2414 to the
anvil. Furthermore, the proximal end 2416 of the anvil-attachable layer 2414
can be pulled
away from the staple cartridge body 2402 in order to be detached from the
proximal end
2416 of the staple cartridge body 2402. For example, in various circumstances,
the
portions of the proximal end 2416 of the anvil-attachable layer 2414 captured
between the
grooves 2408 in the cartridge body 2402 and the tabs 2410 of the cartridge pan
2404 can
be pulled out from between the tabs 2410 and the grooves 2408. In various
other
circumstances, the anvil-attachable layer 2414 can be torn away from portions
of the anvil-
attachable layer 2414 that are captured between the grooves 2408 and the tabs
2410 of
the cartridge pan 2404. For example, the portion of the anvil-attachable layer
2414
captured between the grooves 2408 and the tabs 2410 can be distressed by the
tabs 2410
pressing into the portion of the layer 2414 in order to reduce the force
required to tear the
remaining portion of the layer 2414 and/or to define locations where the layer
2414 will
tear. For example, the tabs 2410 extending into the anvil-adjustable layer
2414 may
partially score, cut, and/or perforate the layer 2414, for example. After the
staple cartridge
layer 2412 is detached from the staple cartridge body 2402 and the anvil-
attachable layer
2414 is detached from the staple cartridge body 2402 and the anvil, the
surgical stapler
can be removed from the patient, leaving the layers 2412 and 2414 implanted in
the
patient The layers 2412 and 2414 can bolster the lines of staples and/or can
compress to
different thicknesses in different staples to provide at least a minimum
amount of
compression to patient tissue captured by the staples, for example.
[0482] Still referring to FIGS. 181 and 182, in various embodiments, the anvil
attachable
layer 2414 can be detached from the staple cartridge body 2402 after the layer
2414 is
attached to the anvil and the anvil is reopened. As described above, after the
staple
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cartridge assembly 2400 is inserted into a staple cartridge channel and an
anvil is closed
on the anvil-attachable layer 2414, the layer 2414 can be attached to an anvil
by an
adhesive and/or attachment feature on an anvil-facing surface 2415 of the
layer 2414.
When the anvil is reopened, the anvil-attachable layer 2414 can move with the
anvil away
from the staple cartridge body 2402. In various circumstances, movement of the
anvil and
the anvil-attachable layer 2414 away from the staple cartridge body 2402 can
pull the
portions of the layer 2414 captured between the tabs 2410 of the cartridge pan
2404 and
the grooves 2408 in the cartridge body 2402 out from between the tabs 2410 and
the
grooves 2408 such that the proximal end 2416 of the layer 2414 can also move
with the
anvil.
[0483] FIGS. 183 and 184 illustrate another embodiment comprising a staple
cartridge
assembly 2450 that includes an anvil-attachable layer 2464 attachable to a
staple cartridge
body 2452. In this embodiment, a proximal end 2466 of the anvil-attachable
layer 2464 is
attached to surfaces 2472 on attachment portions 2470 that can extend from a
surface
2456 of the cartridge body 2452. The proximal end 2466 of the anvil-attachable
layer 2464
can be attached to the surfaces 2472 by adhesives, ultrasonic welding, thermal
welding,
and/or heat staking, for example. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge
assembly
2450 can include a staple cartridge layer 2462 ar I anged on the staple
cartridge body 2462.
In such embodiments, the attachment portions 2470 can extend from the surface
2456 of
the cartridge body 2452 such that the surfaces 2472 are approximately level
with an anvil-
facing surface 2467 of the staple cartridge layer 2462. As a result, the anvil-
attachable
layer 2464 can lie substantially flat across the anvil-facing surface 2467 of
the staple
cartridge layer 2462 and the surfaces 2472. In various circumstances, similar
to the
embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 181 and 182, after the
staple
cartridge assembly 2450 is inserted into a staple cartridge channel of an end
effector, an
anvil of the end effector can be closed in order to make contact with an anvil-
facing side
2465 of the anvil-attachable layer 2464. An adhesive and/or attachment
features on the
anvil-facing side 2465 of the anvil-attachable layer 2464 can attach the anvil-
attachable
layer 2464 to the anvil. Then, when the anvil is reopened, the anvil-
attachable layer 2464
can pivot about the proximal end 2466 attached to the surfaces 2472. Similar
to the
embodiments described above with respect to FIGS. 181 and 182, the staple
cartridge
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layer 2462, the anvil-attachable layer 2464, and patient tissue therebetween
can be cut
and stapled together. Then, the anvil of the surgical stapler is reopened
and/or the
surgical stapler is removed from the patient, the anvil-attachable layer 2464
can be
detached from the anvil and the staple cartridge layer 2462 can be detached
from the
staple cartridge body 2452. Also, the proximal end 2466 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2464
can detach from the adhesive and/or other attachment to the surfaces 2472 such
that the
anvil-attachable layer 2464 can be implanted in the patient.
[0484] Still referring to FIGS. 183 and 184, in various embodiments, when the
anvil is
reopened after the anvil-attachable layer 2464 is attached thereto, the
proximal end 2466
of the anvil-attachable layer 2464 can detach from the surfaces 2472. For
example, the
proximal end 2466 of the anvil-attachable layer 2464 can also be attached to
the anvil.
When the anvil and attached anvil-attachable layer 2464 move in a direction
away from the
staple cartridge body 2452 and/or the staple cartridge layer 2462, the
proximal end 2466 of
the layer 2464 can be pulled and detach from the surfaces 2472. In such
embodiments,
the anvil-attachable layer 2464 can be detached from the staple cartridge
before the staple
cartridge layer 2464, the anvil-attachable layer 2464, and patient tissue
therebetween are
cut and stapled.
[0485] FIGS. 185 and 186 illustrate another embodiment comprising a staple
cartridge
assembly 2500 that includes a staple cartridge layer 2506 and an anvil-
attachable layer
2510. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 185 and 186, the anvil-attachable layer
2510 is
attached to the staple cartridge layer 2506 instead of to the staple cartridge
body 2502.
The staple cartridge layer 2506 and the anvil-attachable layer 2510 each can
comprise a
tissue thickness compensator and/or a buttress material, for example. The
anvil-
attachable layer 2510 can include a first proximal tab portion 2512 extending
from a
proximal end 2508 of the layer 2510. The first proximal tab portion 2512 can
be attached
to a proximal end surface 2516 of the staple cartridge layer 2506. For
example, the first
proximal tab portion 2512 can be glued, welded, and/or overmolded onto the
proximal end
surface 2516 of the staple cartridge layer 2506. In certain embodiments, the
anvil-
attachable layer 2510 can include a second proximal tab portion 2514 extending
from the
first proximal tab portion 2512. The second proximal tab portion 2514 can be
attached to a
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bottom surface 2518 of the staple cartridge layer 2506 by gluing, welding,
and/or
overmolding, for example.
[0486] Similar to the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 181-
184,
after the staple cartridge assembly 2500 is inserted into a staple cartridge
channel of an
end effector of a surgical stapler and when an anvil of the end effector is
closed on the
anvil-attachable layer 2510, an anvil-facing surface 2511 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2510
can be attached to the anvil by an adhesive and/or by attachment features.
When the
anvil is reopened, the anvil-attachable layer 2510 can move away from the
staple cartridge
layer 2506 and the staple cartridge body 2502 with the anvil. In various
circumstances, the
anvil-attachable layer 2510 can pivot about the first tab portion 2512 as the
anvil reopens.
After the anvil-attachable layer 2510 is attached to the anvil, the end
effector can be closed
on patient tissue such that the staple cartridge body 2502 and staple
cartridge layer 2506
are positioned on a first side of the patient tissue and the anvil and anvil-
attachable layer
2510 are positioned on a second opposing side of the patient tissue. As
described above
with reference to FIGS. 181 and 182, a cutting blade can be advanced through a
knife slot
2520 in the cartridge body 2502 and a staple driver can be advanced through a
staple
driver slot 2422 in the cartridge body 2502. Referring primarily to FIG. 185,
in certain
embodiments, the first tab portion 2512 and the second tab portion 2514 of the
anvil-
attachable layer can by aligned with the knife slot 2512. As the cutting blade
is advanced
through the knife slot 2520, the cutting blade can sever the first tab portion
2512 and the
second tab portion 2514. In various circumstances, the severing of the first
tab portion
2512 and the second tab portion 2514 by the cutting blade can detach the first
tab portion
2512 and the second tab portion 2514 from the staple cartridge layer 2506.
After the
cutting blade and the staple driver have been advanced and the staple
cartridge layer
2506, the anvil-attachable layer 2510, and patient tissue therebetween have
been cut and
stapled, the anvil may be reopened such that the anvil-attachable layer 2510
separates
from the anvil and the staple cartridge layer 2506 separates from the staple
cartridge body
2502. As noted above, the anvil-attachable layer 2510 in the embodiment of
FIGS. 185
and 186 is attached to the staple cartridge layer 2506 and not to the staple
cartridge body
2502. Thus, no action is needed to separate the anvil-attachable layer 2510
from the
staple cartridge body 2502. Furthermore, the first tab portion 2512 and/or the
second tab
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portion 2514 of the anvil-attachable layer 2510 can remain attached to the
staple cartridge
layer 2506 since both layers are captured by staples and are implantable in
the patient.
For example, if the cutting blade does not detach the first tab portion 2512
and the second
tab portion 2514 from the staple cartridge layer 2506, then the staple
cartridge layer 2506
and the anvil-attachable layer 2510 will be attached to each other inside of
the patient by
the formed staples and by the first and second tab portions 2512 and 2514.
[0487] Still referring to FIGS. 185 and 186, in various embodiments, after the
staple
cartridge assembly 2500 has been inserted in to the staple cartridge channel
and the anvil-
attachable layer 2510 has been attached to the anvil, the first tab portion
2512 and the
second tab portion 2514 can detach from the staple cartridge layer 2506 when
the anvil is
reopened and the anvil and anvil-attachable layer 2510 move away from the
staple
cartridge layer 2506. For example, the anvil and the anvil-attachable layer
2510 attached
thereto can pull the first tab portion 2512 and the second tab portion 2514
away from the
staple cartridge layer 2506 such that the first tab portion 2512 and the
second tab portion
2514 detach from the staple cartridge layer 2506.
[0488] FIGS. 187 and 188 illustrate another embodiment comprising an anvil-
attachable
layer 2550 for use with a surgical stapler. As explained below, a proximal end
portion
2554 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 is attachable to a proximal end
portion of a staple
cartridge for insertion into an end effector of the surgical stapler and for
alignment and
attachment to an anvil of the end effector. A body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2550
can be detached from the staple cartridge by a cutting blade of the surgical
stapler at the
beginning of the stroke of the cutting blade. For example, the cutting blade
2570 shown in
FIG. 188 can detach the anvil-attachable layer 2550 from the staple cartridge
before any
patient tissue is cut and before any portion of the body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable layer
2550 has been captured by staples.
[0489] Referring primarily to FIG. 187, the anvil-attachable layer 2550 can
include a
body 2552 and a proximal end portion 2554. The proximal end portion 2554
includes
attachment features 2556 that can attach to a proximal end portion of a staple
cartridge.
For example, the attachment features 2556 can include adhesives, welds, and/or
heat
staking. The attachment feature 2556 can also comprise a portion captured
between a
slot in a staple cartridge and a tab of a cartridge pan, as described above
with respect to
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FIGS. 181 and 182, for example. The anvil-attachable layer 2550 can be
attached to and
aligned with the staple cartridge such staple cavities of the staple cartridge
are aligned with
the body 2552 of the layer 2550. Put differently, when staples from the staple
cartridge
have been fired, the staples will capture the body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2550.
Similar to the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 181-186, a
staple
cartridge assembly that includes the anvil-attachable layer 2550 attached to a
staple
cartridge can be inserted into a staple cartridge channel of an end effector
of a surgical
stapler. An anvil of the end effector can close on an anvil-facing surface
2553 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2550. The anvil-facing surface 2553 can include an adhesive
and/or
attachment features that releasably attach the anvil-attachable layer 2550 to
the anvil
when the anvil is closed on the anvil-facing surface 2553. When the anvil is
reopened, the
anvil-attachable layer 2550 can pivot about the attachment features 2556 to
move with the
anvil. Similar to the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 181-
186, the
staple cartridge can include a staple cartridge layer, such as a tissue
thickness
compensator and/or a buttress material, for example.
[0490] The anvil-attachable layer 2550 can comprise a first lateral side 2566
and a
second lateral side 2568. The first lateral side 2566 and the second later
side 2568 can
define a midline 2564 therebetvveen. In certain embodiments, the anvil-
attachable layer
2550 can be attached to and aligned with the anvil of the end effector such
that the midline
2564 is aligned with a knife slot in the anvil and a knife slot in the staple
cartridge. The
body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 can include a first lateral slit
2558 positioned
near a proximal end and extending from the first lateral side 2566 and past
the midline
2564. The body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 also can include a
second lateral
slit 2560 positioned proximally relative to the first lateral slit 2558
extending from the
second lateral side 2568 and past the midline 2564. The first lateral slit
2558 and the
second lateral slit 2560 can define a connector portion 2562 therebetween that
can
connect the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 to the proximal end
portion 2554
of the layer 2550.
[0491] Referring primarily to FIG. 188, after the anvil-attachable layer 2550
is releasably
attached to the anvil of the end effector, the end effector can be closed on
patient tissue
such that the anvil and the anvil-attachable layer 2550 are on one side of the
tissue and
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the staple cartridge and/or the staple cartridge layer is on an opposite side
of the tissue.
Then, a cutting blade 2570 can be advanced through a knife slot in the
cartridge, such as
knife slot 2418 shown in FIGS. 181-185, for example, and a knife slot in the
anvil. The
midline 2564 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 can be aligned with the knife
slots such
that the cutting blade 2570 progressively cuts the anvil-attachable layer 2550
along the
midline. As the cutting blade advances through the anvil-attachable layer 2550
in a distal
direction indicated by arrow D, a cutting edge 2572 of the cutting blade 2570
first cuts the
proximal end portion 2554 of the layer 2550 before then cutting through the
connector
portion 2562, separating the body 2552 of the layer 2550 from the proximal end
portion
2554 of the layer 2550. Finally, the cutting blade 2570 cuts through the body
2552 of the
anvil-attachable layer 2550. After the cutting blade 2570 has advanced through
the anvil-
attachable layer 2550, the layer is divided in four pieces. The body 2552 of
the anvil-
attachable layer 2550 is detached from the proximal portion 2554 of the layer
2550.
Furthermore, the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 is divided into
two pieces
2580 and 2582 and the proximal portion 2554 of the layer 2550 is divided into
two pieces
2586 and 2588.
[0492] In various circumstances, a surgeon using a surgical stapler may not
completely
fire the stapler. For example, referring to FIG. 188, the surgeon may only
advance the
cutting blade 2570 and the staple driver halfway through the body 2552 of the
anvil-
attachable layer 2550. Continuing the example, the body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable
layer 2550 is released from the staple cartridge at the beginning of the
cutting stroke of the
cutting blade 2570 when the blade 2570 severs the connector portion 2560 of
the layer
2550. The cutting blade 2570 will then be advanced to cut along the midline
2564 along
approximately half the length of the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer
2550.
Likewise, a staple driver can advance to fire and form staples in patient
tissue and in the
half of the body 2552 of the layer 2550 that is cut by the cutting blade 2570.
The
remaining half of the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 is not cut
and is not
captured by staples. The cutting blade 2570 and the staple driver can then be
retracted
and the anvil can be reopened. When the anvil is reopened, the portion of the
body 2552
of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 that is captured by the staples and
attached to patient
tissue can detach from the anvil. As described above, the connector portion
2560
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connecting the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 to the proximal
end portion
2554 can be severed before any staples are fired and before the cutting blade
2570 severs
any patient tissue or any portion of the body 2552 of the layer 2550.
Therefore, the body
2552 of the layer 2550 is already free from the staple cartridge. When the
surgical stapler
is removed from the patient, the portion of the body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable layer 2550
that is captured by patient tissue can pull the remainder of the body 2552
away from the
anvil. As this example describes, the anvil-attachable layer 2550 can
accommodate an
incomplete firing of the surgical stapler because the connector portion 2560
of the anvil-
attachable layer 2550 can be cut by the cutting blade 2570 before any staples
from a
staple cartridge are fired and formed in the body 2552 of the layer 2550.
[0493] The embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 181-186 can also
accommodate an incomplete firing of a surgical stapler. In each instance, a
cutting blade
of the surgical stapler is not needed to separate the anvil-attachable layer
from the staple
cartridge. In the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 181-184, the
anvil-
attachable layers can be pulled free from their attachments to the staple
cartridge body
after a partial firing the surgical instrument. In the embodiments described
with reference
to FIGS. 185 and 186, the anvil-attachable layer is attached to a staple
cartridge layer
instead of being attached to the staple Gatti idge. As described above, the
staple cartridge
layer and the anvil-attachable layer are both implantable in the patient.
Thus, whether the
surgical instrument is completely fired has no bearing on separating the anvil-
attachable
layers in the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 181-186 from a
staple
cartridge in a surgical stapler.
[0494] In various circumstances, a surgeon can use a second surgical
instrument to
detach the anvil-attachable layers, described above with reference to FIGS.
181-184. from
a staple cartridge. For example, in various circumstances, the surgical
stapler is used on
delicate tissue, such as lung tissue, the surgeon may want to avoid tugging on
the tissue
that can result from pulling the surgical stapler free from the anvil-
attachable layer. In such
circumstances, the surgeon can introduce another surgical instrument, such as
a grasping
tool, to hold the stapled patient tissue and anvil-attachable layer stationary
while the
surgical stapler is removed from the patient. In the various embodiments of
anvil-
attachable layers described above with reference to FIGS. 185-188, a surgeon
may not
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need a second surgical tool to detach the anvil-attachable layer from the
surgical stapler.
Referring again to the embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 185 and
186, the
anvil-attachable layer 2510 is attached to a staple cartridge layer 2506 that
is also
implanted in the patient. There is no attachment of the anvil-attachable layer
to the staple
cartridge in the surgical stapler. Therefore, the patient tissue does not need
to be tugged
or pulled to separate the anvil-attachable layer from the staple cartridge
when the stapler is
removed from the patient. Referring again to the embodiments described with
reference to
FIGS. 187 and 188, the body 2552 of the anvil-attachable layer 2550 is
mechanically
detached from the surgical stapler by a cutting blade 2570 at the beginning of
the stroke of
the cutting blade. Again, there is no attachment of the body 2552 of the anvil-
attachable
layer 2550 to the staple cartridge in the surgical stapler when the surgical
stapler is ready
for removal from the patient after cutting and stapling patient tissue.
Therefore, the patient
tissue does not need to be tugged or pulled to separate the body 2552 of the
anvil-
attachable layer 2550 from the staple cartridge when the stapler is removed
from the
patient.
[0495] Referring primarily to FIGS. 189-190, a compensator 27120 for a sleeve
27110
can comprise a body 27122 having a longitudinal protrusion 27124 that extends
along at
least a portion of the body 27122. The longitudinal protrusion 27124 can
define a
longitudinal path along the midline of the body 27122, for example. In various
embodiments, the longitudinal protrusion 27124 can be received by a
longitudinal slot in an
anvil when the sleeve 27110 is positioned on the anvil. Referring primarily to
FIG. 191, the
longitudinal protrusion 27124 can comprise a rounded projection. For example,
the cross-
section of the longitudinal protrusion 27124 can form an arc and/or partial
ring. In other
embodiments, the longitudinal protrusion 27124 can comprise an angular and/or
stepped
projection. The compensator 27120 can further comprise an edge 27126, which
can be
straight, bent, fluted, wavy, and/or zigzagged, for example. In various
embodiments, the
edge 27126 can comprise gaps 27128 that can be configured to receive the catch
extensions extending from the anvil when the assembled sleeve 27110 is
positioned on
the anvil.
[0496] As outlined herein, a layer. such as a tissue thickness compensator,
for example,
can be implanted against tissue by one or more fasteners ejected from a staple
cartridge.
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As also outlined herein, in various circumstances, the entirety of a staple
line can capture
at least a portion of the layer against the tissue. For instance, the proximal-
most staples in
a staple line can capture at least a portion of the layer therein while the
distal-most staples
in the staple line can also capture at least a portion of the layer therein.
In certain
circumstances, a proximal portion of the layer can extend proximally with
respect to the
proximal-most staples in the staple line and/or a distal portion of the layer
can extend
distally with respect to the distal-most staples in the staple line. In use, a
series of layers
can be implanted. In at least one such circumstance, the layers can be
implanted
consecutively along a cut line. In some circumstances, the layers can be
implanted such
that one layer partially overlaps another layer. For instance, the distal end
of a first
implanted layer can overlap with the proximal end of a second implanted layer.
Likewise.
the distal end of the second implanted layer can overlap with a proximal end
of a third
layer, and so forth. As a result, certain fasteners may capture a portion of
two or more
layers therein. The presence of two or more layers captured within a staple
can increase
the pressure applied to the tissue captured within the staple and/or increase
the rigidity of
the tissue, especially when several adjacent staples have captured more than
one layer.
Referring now to FIGS. 192-194, as described in greater detail below, a tissue
thickness
compensator 11050 can comprise a proximal end 11053 and a distal end 11055
wherein
the proximal end 11053 and/or the distal end 11055 can comprise one or more
strain relief
portions which can reduce the rigidity of the tissue thickness compensator
11050 and the
rigidity of the tissue being stapled.
[0497] Referring again to FIGS. 192-194, the distal end 11055 of the tissue
thickness
compensator 11050 can comprise one or more slots 11058 defined therein. The
slots
11058 can comprise cuts and/or notches, for example, defined in the tissue
thickness
compensator 11050. The slots 11058 can define projections, or tabs, 11056
which can be
configured to at least partially move and/or flex relative to one another
and/or the body
portion of the tissue thickness compensator 11050. Stated another way, the
slots 11058
can provide localized strain relief to the tissue thickness compensator 11050
and the
underlying tissue. In certain circumstances, the tabs 11056 of a first tissue
thickness
compensator 11050 can be overlapped with a proximal end 11053 of a second
tissue
thickness compensator 11050. In various circumstances, the slots 11058 can
permit the
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first tissue thickness compensator 11050 and the second tissue thickness
compensator to
pivot relative to one another. In certain circumstances, referring primarily
to FIG. 194, the
tabs 11056 of a first tissue thickness compensator 11050 can be overlapped
with the tabs
11056 of a second tissue thickness compensator 11050. In various
circumstances, the
slots 11058 in the overlapped distal ends 11055 can further reduce the
rigidity within the
underlying tissue. Although the illustrated embodiment of tissue thickness
compensator
11050 only comprises an arrangement of tabs 11057 and slots 11058 on one end
thereof,
a tissue thickness compensator may comprise an arrangement of tabs 11057 and
slots
11058 on both ends thereof, for example.
[0498] In certain embodiments, further to the above, each tab 11056 can
comprise a
tapered profile. For instance, each tab 11056 can comprise a base attached to
the body of
the tissue thickness compensator 11050 having a base width and a free end on
the
opposite end thereof having an end width, wherein the base width can be wider
than the
end width. In certain embodiments, the end width can be wider than the base
width.
Referring primarily to FIG. 194, an end 11055 can comprise a plurality of tabs
11056
having different configurations. For instance, the tabs 11056 can have
different lengths.
As illustrated in FIG. 194, an end-most tab 11056a can have a first length, a
second tab
110581) can have a second length which is longer than the first length, a
third tab 10056c
can have a third length which is longer than the second length, a fourth tab
10056d can
have a fourth length which is longer than the third length, a fifth tab 10056e
can have a fifth
length which is longer than the fourth length, and a sixth tab 100561 can have
a sixth
length which is longer than the fifth length, for example. In such an
embodiment, the tabs
10056 can become progressively shorter toward the distal end of the tissue
thickness
compensator 10050. In other embodiments, the lengths of the tabs 10056 can be
arranged in any other suitable arrangement.
[0499] In various circumstances, further to the above, a layer can comprise
edges which
define the perimeter of the layer. These edges may be straight, substantially
straight,
linear, and/or substantially linear, in certain circumstances. In some such
circumstances,
the layer edges may impinge on and/or otherwise affect the surrounding tissue.
Also, in
some such circumstances, the edges may be rigid and may rigidly support the
tissue. In
effect, certain portions of the tissue may be unsupported by the layer which
are adjacent to
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other portions of the tissue which are rigidly supported by the layer without
transition
therebetween. Referring to FIGS. 192-194 once again, the perimeter of the
tissue
thickness compensator 11050 can include a contoured configuration which can
provide a
region of transitional rigidity to the underlying tissue. The perimeter of the
tissue thickness
compensator 11050 can comprise a plurality of notches or recesses 11059
defined therein
which can define tabs 11057. Similar to the above, the tabs 11057 can extend
from the
body of the tissue thickness compensator 11050 and can move relative thereto.
Also
similar to the above, each tab 11057 can comprise a base end attached to the
body of the
tissue thickness compensator 11050 and free end which is movable relative to
the base
end. In certain circumstances, the free end of a tab 11057 can have a width
which is
narrower than the width of the base end of the tab 11057 while, in other
circumstances, the
free end of a tab 11057 can have a width which is wider than the width of the
base end of
the tab 11057. The tabs 11057 can comprise any suitable configuration such as
a semi-
circular, or an at least partially arcuate, configuration, for example. As a
result of the
above, the tissue underlying and/or fastened to the body portion of the tissue
thickness
compensator 11050 can be rigidly supported by the body portion, the tissue
underlying
and/or fastened to the tabs 11057 can be less than rigidly supported by the
tabs 11057,
and the tissue adjacent to the tabs 11057, but not untie' lying the tabs
11057, may be
unsupported by the tissue thickness compensator 11050.
[0500] Referring now to FIGS. 195 and 196, a staple cartridge assembly 11100
can
comprise a cartridge body 11110 and a tissue thickness compensator 11150
attached to
the cartridge body 11110. The cartridge assembly 11100 can further comprise
one or
more attachment members 11160 configured to releasably hold the tissue
thickness
compensator 11150 to the cartridge body 11110. In at least one circumstance,
each
attachment member can comprise a strap which extends around the cartridge body
11110
and the tissue thickness compensator 11150. In use, further to the above, a
firing member
10030 can be advanced through the staple cartridge 11100 to incise the tissue
thickness
compensator 11150, fire the staples at least partially stored in the cartridge
body 11110,
and sever the attachment members 11160. The tissue thickness compensator 11150
can
comprise a first, or proximal, end 11157 and a second, or distal, end 11155.
The distal
end 11155 can comprise an elongate projection 11156 extending from a body
portion
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11153 of the tissue thickness compensator 11150. As illustrated in FIG. 195,
the elongate
projection 11156 can extend distally with respect to the distal-most
attachment member
11160. In at least the illustrated embodiment, the cartridge body 11110 can
comprise a
deck 11113 within which staple cavities of the cartridge body 11110 can be
defined. In
various circumstances, the body 11153 of the tissue thickness compensator
11150 can be
configured and arranged such that it covers the deck 11113 and the staple
cavities defined
in the cartridge body 11110. In at least some circumstances, as also
illustrated in FIG.
195, the elongate projection 11156 can extend distally from the deck 11113 and
extend
distally with respect to the staple cavities defined in the deck 11113.
[0501] In use, further to the above, the tissue thickness compensator 11150
can be
fastened to tissue and can provide tissue thickness compensation properties,
as described
herein. Similar to the above, the tissue underlying the tissue thickness
compensator
11150 may be rigidly supported by the tissue thickness compensator 11150 and
the
staples securing the same whereas the tissue surrounding the tissue thickness
compensator 11150 may be unsupported by the tissue thickness compensator 11150
and
may be flexible. In such circumstances, the tissue between the flexible
unsupported tissue
and the rigidly supported tissue underlying the tissue thickness compensator
11150, i.e.,
the transition tissue, can undergo an undesirable amount of strain. Such
strain may
negatively impact the transition tissue. For instance, when a tissue thickness
compensator
is secured to pulmonary, or lung, tissue, for example, the tissue immediately
surrounding
the perimeter of the tissue thickness compensator, i.e., the perimeter tissue,
may tear in
certain circumstances, especially the perimeter tissue adjacent to and/or
surrounding the
distal end of the tissue thickness compensator, i.e., the end perimeter
tissue. The distal
projection 11156 of the tissue thickness compensator 11150. however, can
support the
end perimeter tissue. Stated another way, the distal projection 11156 can
provide
transitional support to the end perimeter tissue. Such transitional support
can be less than
the support provided by the body of the tissue thickness compensator 11150 and
can
mitigate the change in strain between the unsupported tissue and the fully
supported
tissue underlying the tissue thickness compensator 11150. In various
circumstances, the
distal projection 11156 can provide an enlarged area in which force can be
transmitted
between the unstapled tissue and the stapled tissue. The distal projection
11156 can be
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configured to flex and move with the unsupported tissue and the tissue
thickness
compensator 11150. In various circumstances, the distal projection 11156 can
move
relative to the body portion of the tissue thickness compensator 11150 and/or
the
unsupported tissue.
[0502] The tissue thickness compensator 11150, referring again to FIGS. 195
and 196,
can further comprise a notch 11157 defined in the proximal end 11153 thereof.
The notch
11157 can be defined between two distally extending projections 11158. The
notch 11157
can comprise any suitable shape, such as a parabolic shape, for example.
Similar to the
above, the distally extending projections 11158 can provide transitional
support to the
proximal end perimeter tissue. Such transitional support can be less than the
support
provided by the body of the tissue thickness compensator 11150 and can
mitigate the
change in strain between the unsupported tissue and the fully supported tissue
underlying
the tissue thickness compensator 11150. In various circumstances, the proximal
projections 11158 can provide an enlarged area in which force can be
transmitted between
the unstapled (issue and the stapled tissue. The proximal projections 11158
can be
configured to flex and move with the unsupported tissue and the tissue
thickness
compensator 11150. In various circumstances, the proximal projections 11158
can move
relative to the body portion of the tissue thickness compensator 11150, each
other, and/or
the unsupported tissue. Various alternative embodiments are envisioned in
which more
than two projections extend from the proximal end and/or distal end of a
tissue thickness
compensator.
NM] As illustrated in FIG. 196, two or more tissue thickness compensators
11150 can
be implanted in an end-to-end manner along a path. In such circumstances, the
distal end
11155 of a first tissue thickness compensator 11150 can overlap with the
proximal end
11153 of a second tissue thickness compensator 11150. Similarly the distal end
11155 of
the second tissue thickness compensator 11150 can overlap with the proximal
end 11153
of a third tissue thickness compensator 11150. In various circumstances, the
distal
projection 11156 of the first tissue thickness compensator 11150 can be
aligned, or at
least substantially aligned, with the recess 11157 of the second tissue
thickness
compensator 11150. Also, in various embodiments, the distal projection 11156
and the
proximal recess 11558 can be sized and configured such that they have
substantially the
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same size and/or shape. In various circumstances, a distal projection 11156
can be
configured to be positioned within a proximal recess 11157 of an adjacent
tissue thickness
compensator 11150.
[0504] Turning now to FIGS. 293 and 294, an end effector of a surgical
stapling
instrument can comprise a first jaw including a cartridge channel 11390
configured to
receive a staple cartridge 11300 therein and a second jaw including an anvil
11391.
Similar to the above, the staple cartridge 11300 can comprise a cartridge body
11310 and
a tissue thickness compensator 11350. The staple cartridge 11300 can further
comprise a
tissue abutment member 11355 attached thereto. The tissue abutment member
13555, in
various circumstances, can be removably attached to the cartridge body 11310.
In
addition to or in lieu of being removably attached to the cartridge body
11310, the tissue
abutment member 11355 can be attached to the tissue thickness compensator
11350. In
at least one such embodiment, the tissue abutment member 11355 may be
releasably
secured to the tissue thickness compensator 11350. In use, similar to the
above,
fasteners may be deployed from the cartridge body 11310 to secure the tissue
thickness
compensator 11350 to tissue T captured between the tissue thickness
compensator 11350
and the anvil 11391. In various circumstances, fasteners may not penetrate the
tissue
abutment member 11355. In certain other circumstances, fasteners may penetrate
and
capture at least a portion of the tissue abutment member. 11355 therein and
secure the
tissue abutment member 11355 to the tissue T. In either event, similar to the
above, at
least a portion of the tissue abutment member 11355 can be configured to
provide
transitional support between the unsupported tissue and the tissue underlying
the tissue
thickness compensator 11350 which is rigidly supported by the fasteners. The
tissue
abutment member 11355 can comprise any suitable shape, such as tongue-shaped,
for
example. In at least one embodiment, the tissue abutment member 11355 can
comprise
one or more notches 11358 which can define tabs 11356 therebetween. Once the
tissue
thickness compensator 11350 has been positioned against and secured to the
tissue T,
the tissue abutment member 11355 can be configured to flex relative to the
tissue
thickness compensator 11350 and provide support to the tissue adjacent the
distal end of
the tissue thickness compensator 11350. In various circumstances, the tissue
abutment
member 11355 can flex relative to the tissue thickness compensator 11350 and
the tabs
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11356 can flex relative to each other, the body of the tissue abutment member
11355,
and/or the tissue thickness compensator 11350, for example.
[0505] Referring again to FIGS. 293 and 294, at least a portion of the tissue
abutment
member 11355 can overlap the tissue thickness compensator 11350. In various
circumstances, such a portion of the tissue abutment member 11355 can be
attached to
the tissue thickness compensator 11350 by one or more adhesives, for example.
In
certain circumstances, at least a portion of the tissue abutment member 11355
can overlap
one or more staple cavities defined in the cartridge body 11310 such that the
staples
ejected from such staple cavities can capture at least a portion of the tissue
abutment
member 11355 therein and secure the tissue abutment member 11355 to the
tissue. At
least a portion of the tissue abutment member 11355 can overlap a nose 11311
of the
cartridge body 11310. In various circumstances, such a portion of the tissue
abutment
member 11355 can be attached to the nose 11311 by one or more adhesives, for
example. In other circumstances, such a portion of the tissue abutment member
11355
may not be attached to the nose 11311. Referring primarily to FIG. 294, at
least a portion
of the tissue abutment member 11355 can overlap a distal portion 11312 of the
nose
11311. In various circumstances, such a portion of the tissue abutment member
11355
may not be attached to the distal portion 11312 of the nose 11311. In at least
some
circumstances, a gap can be defined between the tissue abutment member 11355.
At
least a portion of the tissue abutment member 11355 can extend freely from the
nose
11311 of the cartridge body 11310. In such embodiments, the tissue abutment
member
11355 can comprise a cantilever.
[0506] In use, further to the above, the staple cartridge 11300 can be
positioned on a
first side of the tissue T and the anvil 11391 can be positioned on the second
side. The
anvil 11391 can then be pivoted toward the staple cartridge 11300 about a
pivot 11392
defined in a shaft 11393 of a surgical stapling instrument. Once the anvil
11391 and the
staple cartridge 11300 have been suitably positioned, the staples contained
within the
cartridge body 11310 can be ejected therefrom, penetrate the tissue thickness
compensator 11350, and secure the tissue thickness compensator 11350 to the
tissue T.
Thereafter, the anvil 11391 can be opened and the end effector can be moved
away from
the tissue T. In such circumstances, the cartridge body 11310 can be pulled
away from
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the tissue thickness compensator 11350 thereby leaving the tissue thickness
compensator
11350 behind. Concurrently, the tissue abutment member 11355 can detach from
the
staple cartridge 11300 with the tissue thickness compensator 11350. To the
extent that
the tissue abutment member 11355 is attached to the tissue thickness
compensator
11350, the tissue thickness compensator 11350 can hold the tissue abutment
member
11355 against the tissue. In various circumstances, the tissue abutment member
11355
can be biased against the tissue T by the tissue thickness compensator 11350.
When the
tissue moves, expands, and/or flexes, for example, the tissue abutment member
11355
can flexibly support the underlying tissue I and distribute forces, stresses,
and/or strains
over a large area.
[0507] Referring again to FIGS. 293 and 294, the end effector of a surgical
instrument
can comprise a tissue abutment member, such as tissue abutment member 11395,
for
example, attached to the anvil 11391. In various circumstances, the tissue
abutment
member 11395 can be the same as, or at least substantially the same as, the
tissue
abutment member 11355. In at least one circumstance, the tissue abutment
member
11395 can comprise notches 11398 defined between tabs 11396. In use, the
tissue
abutment member 11395 can be attached to the anvil 11391 utilizing one or more
adhesives, for example, wherein the tissue abutment member 11395 can be
positioned
against the tissue T when the anvil 11391 is positioned relative to the tissue
T and then
closed. When the anvil 11391 is reopened after the staples have been fired
from the
staple cartridge, the tissue abutment member 11395 can detach from the anvil
11391 and
remain attached to the tissue T. In various circumstances, at least a portion
of the tissue
abutment member 11395 can be captured within the staples ejected from the
cartridge
body 11310, for example. In at least some such circumstances, the tissue
abutment
member 11395 can at least partially overlap, or extend over, staple cavities
defined in the
anvil 11391. In some circumstances, one or more adhesives, such as activatable
adhesives, for example, can be located on the tissue-contacting surfaces of
the tissue
abutment member 11395 such that the tissue abutment member 11395 adheres to
the
tissue T. In any event, referring primarily to FIG. 294, one or both of the
tissue abutment
member 11355 and the tissue abutment member 11395 may be utilized to flexibly
support
the tissue T. In embodiments where both the tissue abutment member 11355 and
the
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tissue abutment member 11395 are utilized, the tissue abutment members 11355
and
11395 may be comprised of the same material, or different materials. The
tissue abutment
members 11355 and 11395 may comprise the same shape and configuration, or
different
shapes and configurations. The tissue abutment members 11355 and 11395 may
also
comprise the same thickness, or different thicknesses. Such properties of the
tissue
abutment members 11355 and 11395 can be selected so as to provide a desired
support
profile to the tissue positioned therebetween. For instance, such properties
may be
selected such that one of the tissue thickness compensators 11355 and 11395 is
more
rigid than the other. Concurrently, such properties may be selected such that
one of the
tissue thickness compensators 11355 and 11395 is more flexible than the other.
[0508] In various circumstances, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a
plurality of layers. For instance, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise
a first layer
and a second layer. Such layers can be comprised of the same materials, or
different
materials. Some layers can be configured to provide different properties to
the tissue
thickness compensator. For instance, a tissue thickness compensator can
comprise a
compressible first layer that provides tissue thickness compensation
properties and a more
rigid second layer which can support the first layer. Referring primarily to
FIGS. 197 and
198, a tissue thickness compensator 11250 can comprise a lust layer 11251 and
a second
layer 11252. The second layer 11252 can be compressible and can provide tissue
thickness compensation properties. The first layer 11251 can be rigid and can
support the
second layer 11252. The second layer 11252 can be positioned against and/or
attached
to a cartridge body 11210, for example. In certain circumstances, the first
layer 11251 can
comprise a longitudinal channel 11253 extending along the length thereof which
can be
sized and configured to be releasably retained in a longitudinal knife slot
11215 defined in
the cartridge body 11210. In various circumstances, the second layer 11252 can
be
secured to the first layer 11251 and held in place by the first layer 11251.
[0509] Referring again to FIGS. 197 and 198, compensator 11250 may comprise a
plurality of layers. In addition, an outer periphery 11218 of the second layer
11252 may be
at least partially extended beyond an outer periphery 11220 of the first layer
11251.
Furthermore, the first layer 11251 and the second layer 11252 may comprise
different
degrees of stiffness. For example, the second layer 11252 may be configured to
be more
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flexible than the first layer 11251. This arrangement may provide tissue
thickness
compensator 11250 with a sufficiently rigid inner region, comprised from the
first layer
11251 and the second layer 11252, which may be suitable to provide adequate
support for
staples 11260, and a sufficiently flexible outer region, comprised from the
second layer
11252, which may be suitable to provide sufficient flexibility to soften the
impact upon
tissue T, for example, during and/or after the capturing of the tissue T and
the tissue
thickness compensator 11250 by the staples 11260. Layers 11251 and 11252 can
be
joined together, for example. by an adhesive. Other attachment means for
attaching the
first layer 11251 to the second layer 11252 are contemplated within the scope
of the
current disclosure.
[0510] Further to the above, the first layer 11251 may include an inner
portion 11254
and an outer portion 11256 at least partially surrounding the inner portion
11254, wherein
the outer portion 11256 may be configured to be more flexible than the inner
portion
11254. For example, the outer portion 11254 may comprise a plurality of slits
11210 which
may increase the flexibility of the outer portion 11254. Furthermore, as
described above,
the second layer 11252 may be configured to be more flexible than the first
layer 11251.
This arrangement may provide tissue thickness compensator 11250 with three
regions of
differ ent rigidity including a first inner region having the most rigidity,
the inner region being
comprised of inner portion 11254 of the first layer 11251 and the second layer
11252, a
middle region having an intermediate rigidity, the middle region being
comprised of outer
portion 11256 of first layer 11251 and the second layer 11252, and a third
outer region
having the least rigidity, the third region being comprised solely of the
second layer 11252.
[0511] The second layer 11252 of tissue thickness compensator 11250 can
comprise a
woven structure which may include a plurality of fibers which may be woven
into the woven
structure. The woven structure may provide the second layer 11252 with
sufficient
flexibility to soften the impact upon tissue T, for example, during and/or
after the capturing
of the tissue T and the tissue thickness compensator 11250 by staples 11260.
Furthermore, the outer periphery 11218 can be comprised of fibers which can
provide an
atraumatic tissue contacting surface to minimize impact upon tissue T, as
described
above. The woven structure and fibers can be comprised of biocompatible
materials.
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Furthermore, the woven structure and/or fibers can be comprised from a
bioabsorbable
material such as PLLA, PGA, PCL, and/or combinations thereof, for example.
[0512] Referring to FIGS. 199-201, a staple cartridge channel can be
configured to
receive a staple cartridge 1060 which can comprise a cartridge body 1062, a
cartridge
deck 1064, and a support 1065. In addition, a tissue thickness compensator
such as, for
example, tissue thickness compensator 1100 may be removably positioned against
or
adjacent cartridge deck 1064, as illustrated in FIG. 199.
[0513] Referring again to FIGS. 199-201, a tissue thickness compensator may be
configured to be absorbed after implantation in a patient. The absorption
process may
initially reduce the tissue thickness compensator into smaller pieces which
may include
rough edges that may have undesirable effects on surrounding tissue T. To
mitigate these
effects, tissue thickness compensator 1100 may be at least partially assembled
from a
plurality of pieces 1140, which each may have atraumatic outer peripheries and
may be
joined together to form a single structure, as illustrated in FIG. 201. Pieces
1140 can be
joined to form tissue thickness compensator 1100 in a manner such that the
absorption
process may first reduce tissue thickness compensator 1100 into pieces 1140
thereby
minimizing the presence of rough edges. For example, pieces 1140 may comprise
circular
profiles and may be joined together by thermal bonding to iorm tissue
thickness
compensator 1100. Other profiles and other means for joining pieces 1140 are
contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. In one example,
pieces 1140 can
be joined together by an adhesive 1143 (See FIG. 200) configured to be
absorbed faster
than pieces 1140 to allow separation of the pieces 1140 in an initial stage of
the absorption
process. As illustrated in FIG. 200, pieces 1140 can be arranged in an
overlapping array
wherein an end portion of one of the pieces 1140 may overlap with an end
portion of
another one of the pieces 1140 such that the two end portions of the pieces
1140 are
releasably attached to each other, for example, by an adhesive. Under certain
circumstances, pieces 1140 can be arranged in another overlapping array
wherein one of
the pieces 1140 can be positioned over and releasably attached to a plurality
of pieces
1140, as illustrated in FIG. 201.
[0514] Referring to FIGS. 202-204, as described above, a tissue thickness
compensator
may be configured to be absorbed after implantation in a patient and the
absorption
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process may initially reduce the tissue thickness compensator into random
smaller pieces.
Guiding the absorption process to yield small pieces with atraumatic outer
edges can be
achieved, as described above, by starting with small pieces having atraumatic
outer
edges. Another approach may include modifying the tissue thickness compensator
in such
a manner that allows its separation into smaller pieces having atraumatic
peripheries in an
initial stage of the absorption process. For example, as illustrated in FIG.
202, a tissue
thickness compensator 1200 may comprise a pattern such as pattern 1212, for
example,
which can be molded or carved into the tissue thickness compensator 1200 to
yield, for
example, a plurality of circular shaped portions 1210. The portions 1210 may
be defined by
reducing the thickness of tissue thickness compensator 1200 along
circumferences 1214
of the circular shaped portions 1210, as illustrated in the cross-sectional
view in FIG. 202A.
In result, a faster absorption along the circumferences 1214 of circular
shaped portions
1210 may occur which may lead to a separation of the circular shaped portions
1210 from
each other in an initial stage of the absorption process. Patterns comprising
portions with
other geometrical shapes with atraumatic outer peripheries are contemplated
within the
scope of the current disclosure. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 203,
tissue thickness
compensator 1200' may comprise a pattern 1216 comprising portions 1218 which
may
include profiles that extend longitudinally in a wave-like profile along a
length of tissue
thickness compensator 1200'. In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 204,
tissue
thickness compensator 1200" may comprise a pattern 1220 which may include
hexagonal
shaped portions 1222.
[0515] Referring to FIG. 205, as described above, a tissue thickness
compensator, such
as tissue thickness compensator 1250, may be captured along with tissue T by
staples,
such as staples 1002, for example, and may be configured to be reduced into
atraumatic
pieces, such as pieces 1226, for example, in an initial stage of the
absorption process after
implantation in a patient. Upon separation, pieces 1226 can move and/or slide
relative to
each other which may impact surrounding tissue T. To minimize relative motion
between
pieces 1226, fired staples 1002 can be spatially arranged onto tissue
thickness
compensator 1250 such that a staple 1002 may capture multiple pieces 1226, as
illustrated in FIG. 205. This may also aid in maintaining tissue thickness
compensator 1250
in a substantially singular structure even after pieces 1226 are separated
from each other
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