Fastener cartridge comprising an extendable firing member
View Patent ↗A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The fastener cartridge and/or surgical instrument can include an anvil. The fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body including a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities. The fastener cartridge can comprise fasteners at least partially stored within the fastener cavities, and a firing member configured to move the fasteners toward the anvil. The firing member can comprise a first ramp and a second ramp configured to lift the fasteners toward the anvil. In various instances, the first ramp and/or the second ramp can directly lift the fasteners. In certain instances, the fastener cartridge can include fastener drivers which are directly lifted by the first ramp and/or the second ramp.
1. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of fastener cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity; and
a sled configured to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:
a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position to a partially-lifted position; and
a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners from said partially-lifted position to an elected position, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said sled is movable between a proximal unfired position, an intermediate partially-fired position, and a distal fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second ramp when said sled is in said proximal unfired position, and wherein said first ramp is extended relative to said second ramp when said sled is in said intermediate partially-fired position.
2. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second ramp when said sled is in said distal fired position.
3. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a distal end, and wherein said sled is configured to contact said distal end to collapse said first ramp relative to said second ramp.
4. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of fastener cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity; and
a sled configured to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:
a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position to a partially-lifted position; and
a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners from said partially-lifted position to an ejected position, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said sled is movable between an unfired position, a partially-fired position, and a fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said first ramp is in a retracted position relative to said second ramp when said sled is in said unfired position, and wherein said first ramp is in an extended position relative to said second ramp when said sled is in said partially-fired position.
5. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4 , wherein said first ramp is in said retracted position when said sled is in said fired position.
6. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in at least one longitudinal row.
7. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows.
8. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4 , further comprising an anvil.
9. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of fastener cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity; and
a sled configured to eject said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said sled comprises:
a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners from a first position to a partially-lifted position; and
a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners from said partially-lifted position to an elected position, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners.
10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in a longitudinal row.
11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 9 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows.
12. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 9 , further comprising an anvil.
13. A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge assembly comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of fastener cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity; and
a firing member configured to move said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil; and
a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said firing member is movable between a proximal unfired position, an intermediate partially-fired position, and a distal fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second ramp when said firing member is in said proximal unfired position, and wherein said first ramp is extended relative to said second ramp when said firing member is in said intermediate partially-fired position.
14. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13 , wherein said first ramp is at least partially collapsed within said second ramp when said firing member is in said distal fired position.
15. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 14 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a distal end, and wherein said firing member is configured to contact said distal end to collapse said first ramp relative to said second ramp.
16. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 15 , wherein said first ramp is in a retracted position when said firing member is in said distal fired position.
17. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in at least one longitudinal row.
18. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13 , wherein said plurality of fasteners are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows.
19. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13 , further comprising an anvil.
20. A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge assembly comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of fastener cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is at least partially stored within a said fastener cavity; and
a firing member configured to move said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil; and
a second ramp configured to lift said fasteners toward the anvil, wherein said first ramp is movable relative to said second ramp, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engage said fasteners.