SURGICAL STAPLE AND DRIVER ARRANGEMENTS FOR STAPLE CARTRIDGES

摘要

An end effector and a staple cartridge are disclosed. The staple cartridge includes an array of staples in which at least one staple is angularly-oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the staple cartridge. The angled staple(s) provide longitudinal flexibility to the stapled tissue. Additionally, the staple cartridge and/or the end effector are configured to provide variable degrees of compression to tissue. For example, the compression of tissue before, during and/or after stapling can be optimized.

主权项

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, wherein a plurality of staple cavities are defined into the cartridge body, and wherein a longitudinal slot is defined at least partially through the cartridge body; and a plurality of staples removably positioned in the staple cavities, wherein the plurality of staples comprises a first staple and a second staple, wherein each of the staples is oriented at a stretch relief angle relative to the longitudinal slot, and wherein the plurality of staples are arranged to form a longitudinally stretchable array within stapled tissue; wherein each of the staples is deformable from an unfired configuration to a fired configuration, wherein the first staple comprises a first formed height when in the fired configuration, wherein the second staple comprises a second formed height when in the fired configuration, wherein the first formed height is different than the second formed height, and wherein the first staple is laterally offset from the second staple to provide laterally variable tissue compressible within the longitudinally stretchable array.