STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT A BOTTOM COVER

摘要

A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from a jaw of surgical stapling instrument. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. Each of the staple cavities includes a bottom opening and a top opening. The staples include features configured to inhibit the staples from falling out of the bottom openings of the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities through the top openings of the staple cavities. The firing member further comprises one or more features configured to inhibit the firing member from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body. In various instances, as a result, a cover extending around the bottom of the cartridge body may not be required.

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; andstaple cavities, wherein said staple cavities are arranged in longitudinal rows, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises:
a top opening defined in said deck;a bottom opening;a proximal end;a distal end; anda staple cavity sidewall extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises:
a proximal leg;a distal leg;a base extending between said proximal leg and said distal leg; anda retention projection extending from said base, wherein said retention projections of said staples are engaged with said staple cavity sidewalls to prevent said staples from falling out of said bottom openings of said staple cavities.