CURVED END EFFECTOR FOR A STAPLING INSTRUMENT
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler can comprise a cartridge deck and a plurality of staples at least partially positioned within the cartridge deck. In various embodiments, the staples can be supported by a support jaw of the surgical stapler and can comprise legs which can extend upwardly through apertures defined in the cartridge deck. The support jaw can comprise stationary staple drivers which can support the staples in curved rows as the staples are deformed by an anvil of the surgical stapler. In certain embodiments, the staple cartridge can further comprise a plurality of staple drivers which can be configured to support and eject the staples along curved staple rows.
1 . A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of first staple cavities arranged along a first curve, wherein said first curve is defined by a first radius of curvature, and wherein each said first staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of second staple cavities arranged along a second curve, wherein said second curve is defined by a second radius of curvature, wherein said first radius of curvature is different that second radius of curvature, and wherein each said second staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of staple drivers positioned within said first staple cavities and said second staple cavities, wherein each said staple driver is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;
a curved longitudinal passage configured to receive a driver for lifting said staple drivers between said unfired position and said fired position;
a plurality of staples positioned within said plurality of first staple cavities and said plurality of second staple cavities, wherein said staples are supported by said staple drivers, wherein each said staple comprises a base and at least one leg extending from said base, and wherein said legs of said staples are configured to extend above said deck when said staple drivers are in said unfired position; and
a compressible tissue thickness compensator positioned above said deck, wherein said legs of said staples extend into said tissue thickness compensator.
2 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said openings of said first staple cavities are each defined by a first longitudinal axis, and wherein said first longitudinal axes of said first staple cavities are not parallel to each other.
3 . The staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said openings of said second staple cavities are each defined by a second longitudinal axis, and wherein said second longitudinal axes of said second staple cavities are not parallel to each other.
4 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a curved longitudinal slot extending through said cartridge body, wherein said curved longitudinal slot is defined along an intermediate radius of curvature, and wherein said intermediate radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature and smaller than said second radius of curvature.
5 . The staple cartridge of claim 4 , wherein said driver includes a cutting member configured to extend through said curved longitudinal slot, and wherein said cutting member is defined by said intermediate radius of curvature.
6 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said deck comprises an inner edge defined by an inner radius of curvature and an outer edge defined by an outer radius of curvature, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises an inner portion which parallels said inner radius of curvature and an outer portion which parallels said outer radius of curvature.
7 . An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument, said end effector comprising:
a support jaw, comprising:
a frame;
a curved longitudinal slot extending through at least a portion of said frame;
a row of first stationary drivers extending from said frame and extending along a first side of said curved longitudinal slot, wherein each said first stationary driver is configured to support a staple, wherein each said first stationary driver is defined along a first driver axis, and wherein said first driver axes are not parallel to one another;
a row of second stationary drivers extending from said frame and extending along a second side of said curved longitudinal slot, wherein each said second stationary driver is configured to support a staple, wherein each said second stationary driver is defined along a second driver axis, and wherein said second driver axes are not parallel to one another; and
an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil jaw comprising:
a tissue compression surface; and
a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform the staples.
8 . The end effector of claim 7 , further comprising a staple cartridge, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staples, and wherein said deck is slidable relative to said staples between an unfired position and a fired position.
9 . The end effector of claim 8 , further comprising a depression defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said depression is configured to receive the deck of the staple cartridge when the deck is in said fired position.
10 . The end effector of claim 8 , further comprising a well defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said well is configured to receive the deck of the staple cartridge when the deck is in said fired position.
11 . The staple cartridge of claim 8 , further comprising a tissue thickness compensator positioned adjacent to said deck.
12 . The staple cartridge of claim 11 , wherein said deck comprises an inner edge defined by an inner radius of curvature and an outer edge defined by an outer radius of curvature, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises an inner portion which parallels said inner radius of curvature and an outer portion which parallels said outer radius of curvature.
13 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein said row of first stationary drivers are positioned along a first radius of curvature, wherein said row of second stationary drivers are positioned along a second radius of curvature, wherein said second radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature, wherein said curved longitudinal slot is defined along an intermediate radius of curvature, and wherein said intermediate radius of curvature is larger than said first radius of curvature and smaller than said second radius of curvature.
14 . The end effector of claim 13 , further comprising a cutting member configured to extend through said curved longitudinal slot, and wherein said cutting member is defined by said intermediate radius of curvature.