FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FIXED ANVIL
A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector. According to various embodiments, the end effector comprises a circular anvil having a staple forming surface and a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil. The end effector also comprises a staple driver assembly comprising a plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple driver assembly is actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil. A first quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a first height and a second quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height.
1 . An end effector for a surgical fastening instrument, said end effector comprising:
a first jaw, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a plurality of fastener cavities defined in said cartridge body;
a first longitudinal slot configured to receive a firing member;
a longitudinal row of first fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein each said first fastener comprises:
a base;
a first leg extending from said base in a first direction; and
a second leg extending from said base in a second direction, wherein said first direction is not parallel to said second direction; and
a longitudinal row of second fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein said row of second fasteners extends alongside said row of first fasteners; and
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw comprises:
an anvil configured to deform said first fasteners to a first fired height and said second fasteners to a second fired height in co-operation with said firing member, wherein said first fired height is different than said second fired height, and wherein said cartridge body is movable toward said anvil; and
a second longitudinal slot configured to receive the firing member, wherein said first longitudinal slot is alignable with said second longitudinal slot.
2 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said first fired height is shorter than said second fired height.
3 . The end effector of claim 1 , further comprising a knife slidably positionable in said first longitudinal slot and said second longitudinal slot.
4 . The end effector of claim 3 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said knife is slidable longitudinally between said proximal end and said distal end.
5 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein each said second staple comprises a base, a first leg, and a second leg which extends non-parallely to said first leg.
6 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said row of first fasteners includes a first distal-most fastener, wherein said row of second fasteners includes a second distal-most fastener, and wherein said first distal-most fastener is positioned distally with respect to said second distal-most fastener.
7 . An end effector for a surgical fastening instrument, said end effector comprising:
a first jaw, comprising:
a cartridge body;
a plurality of fastener cavities defined in said cartridge body;
a first knife slot configured to receive a knife;
a row of first fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein each said first fastener comprises:
a base;
a first leg extending from said base in a first direction; and
a second leg extending from said base in a second direction, wherein said first direction is not parallel to said second direction; and
a row of second fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein said row of second fasteners extends alongside said row of first fasteners; and
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw comprises:
an anvil configured to deform said first fasteners to a first fired height and said second fasteners to a second fired height, wherein said first fired height is different than said second fired height, and wherein said cartridge body is movable toward said anvil; and
a second knife slot configured to receive the firing member, wherein said first knife slot is alignable with said second knife slot.
8 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein said first fired height is shorter than said second fired height.
9 . The end effector of claim 7 , further comprising a knife slidably positionable in said first knife slot and said second knife slot.
10 . The end effector of claim 9 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said knife is slidable longitudinally between said proximal end and said distal end.
11 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein each said second staple comprises a base, a first leg, and a second leg which extends non-parallely to said first leg.
12 . The end effector of claim 7 , wherein said row of first fasteners includes a first distal-most fastener, wherein said row of second fasteners includes a second distal-most fastener, and wherein said first distal-most fastener is positioned distally with respect to said second distal-most fastener.
13 . An end effector for a surgical stapling instrument, said end effector comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw, wherein said second jaw is pivotable relative to said first jaw;
a staple cartridge assembly, comprising
a cartridge body;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body;
a first knife slot configured to receive a knife;
a row of first staples removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein each said first staple comprises:
a base;
a first leg extending from said base in a first direction; and
a second leg extending from said base in a second direction, wherein said first direction is not parallel to said second direction; and
a row of second staples removably stored in said cartridge body, wherein said row of second staples extends alongside said row of first staples; and
an anvil configured to deform said first staples to a first fired height and said second staples to a second fired height, wherein said first fired height is different than said second fired height, and wherein said cartridge body is movable toward said anvil.
14 . The end effector of claim 13 , wherein said first fired height is shorter than said second fired height.
15 . The end effector of claim 13 , further comprising a knife slidably positionable in said first knife slot.
16 . The end effector of claim 15 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said knife is slidable longitudinally between said proximal end and said distal end.
17 . The end effector of claim 13 , wherein each said second staple comprises a base, a first leg, and a second leg which extends non-parallely to said first leg.
18 . The end effector of claim 13 , wherein said row of first staples includes a first distal-most staple, wherein said row of second staples includes a second distal-most staple, and wherein said first distal-most staple is positioned distally with respect to said second distal-most staple.