SURGICAL STAPLER END EFFECTOR WITH MULTI-STAPLE DRIVER CROSSING CENTER LINE

摘要

A surgical instrument includes an end effector extending along a jaw centerline. A staple cartridge is received in the end effector. The staple cartridge includes deck, staples, a wedge sled, and a driver assembly. The staples are positioned in respective openings formed through the deck. The wedge sled is slidable through the staple cartridge. The driver assembly has a first driver and a second driver. The first driver receives a first staple of the plurality of staples. The second driver receives a second staple of the plurality of staples. The driver assembly is configured to be engaged by the wedge sled sliding toward the distal sled position and thereby be forced toward a first jaw of the end effector, thereby forcing the first and second staples toward an anvil of the first jaw for formation in tissue. The driver assembly is positioned along the centerline.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument for treating a tissue of a patient, comprising:
(a) a shaft assembly; (b) an end effector extending from the shaft assembly along a jaw centerline, the end effector comprising:
(i) a first jaw having an anvil configured to form a plurality of staples pressed against the anvil, and(ii) a second jaw, wherein the first and second jaws are configured to transition between an open configuration and a closed configuration; and (c) a staple cartridge received within the second jaw, the staple cartridge comprising:
(i) a deck facing the anvil, wherein the deck defines a plurality of staple openings,(ii) a plurality of staples positioned respectively within the plurality of staple openings,(iii) a wedge sled configured to slide proximate to the deck from a proximal sled position to a distal sled position, and(iv) a driver assembly having a first driver and a second driver, the first driver receiving a first staple of the plurality of staples, and the second driver receiving a second staple of the plurality of staples,wherein the driver assembly is configured to be engaged by the wedge sled sliding toward the distal sled position and thereby be forced toward the first jaw, thereby forcing the first and second staples toward the anvil for formation in the tissue, andwherein the driver assembly is positioned along the centerline.