STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING STAPLE CAVITIES FOR PROVIDING BETTER STAPLE GUIDANCE

摘要

A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The staples and staple cavities include features which reduce friction forces between the staples and the staple cavities when the firing member ejects the staples from the staple cavities. Each of the staples comprises a base including a drive portion and staple legs extending from the base and, in at least one instance, each of the staple cavities includes a proximal guide and a distal guide configured to guide the staple legs of the staple positioned therein as it is ejected from the staple cavity. In certain instances, each of the staple cavities further includes an intermediate guide offset from the proximal guide and the distal guide.

主权项

1. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;a distal end;a deck;a longitudinal slot defined in said deck extending from said proximal end toward said distal end; anda staple cavity, comprising:
a top opening defined in said deck;a bottom opening;a proximal guide;a distal guide;a sidewall extending between said proximal guide and said distal guide; andan intermediate guide extending inwardly from said sidewall; and a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, comprising:
a proximal leg positioned within said proximal guide;a distal leg positioned within said distal guide; anda base extending between said proximal leg and said distal leg, wherein said intermediate guide is positioned to guide said base and hold said proximal leg in said proximal guide and said distal leg in said distal guide.