Staple cartridge

摘要

A surgical stapling instrument can include a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, a cutting member stored therein, and means for covering, enclosing, encasing, and/or protecting the cutting member. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge body can include a housing which can extend around and/or over the cutting member when the cutting member is in an unfired position. In various circumstances, the housing can protect a clinician as they assemble the staple cartridge to the surgical stapling instrument.

主权项

1. A stapling assembly, comprising:
a staple cartridge body, comprising:
a tissue-supporting surface;a housing;a first slot, wherein said first slot extends through said tissue-supporting surface, and wherein said first slot is proximal to said housing;a second slot, wherein said second slot is distal to said first slot; anda plurality of staple cavities; a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are positioned in said staple cavities; an attachment portion configured to be attached to a surgical instrument; an incisable portion, wherein said incisable portion extends above said tissue-supporting surface; and a cutting member positioned within said staple cartridge body prior to said staple cartridge body being assembled to the surgical instrument, wherein said cutting member comprises a distal tissue cutting surface, wherein said cutting member comprises an engagement portion configured to be engaged with a firing member of the surgical instrument, wherein said cutting member is configured to be slid between a first position and a second position, wherein when said cutting member is in said first position said housing extends overtop said distal tissue cutting surface, and wherein said distal tissue cutting surface is configured to incise said incisable portion to permit completion of a firing stroke.