STAPLE CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A BARBED STAPLE.
An end effector for fastening tissue including an anvil having a deck to support tissue. The deck has a first surface with a first longitudinal row of staple forming pockets, and a second surface, having a second longitudinal row of staple forming pockets wherein the first surface is positioned vertically above the second surface. The end effector also includes a cartridge having plurality of staple cavities arranged in first and second longitudinal rows. The end effector also includes a plurality of staples removably stored within the staple cavities. The staples include a base, a pair of legs extending from the base, wherein each the leg comprises a tip configured to pierce tissue, and wherein each the leg comprises at least one barb extending therefrom. The end effector also has a firing member configured to lift the staple drivers toward the anvil.
1 . An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
an anvil, wherein said anvil comprises a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, having a first longitudinal row of staple forming pockets; and
a second surface, having a second longitudinal row of staple forming pockets, and wherein said first surface is positioned vertically above said second surface;
a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first and second longitudinal rows of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples removably stored within said staple cavities, and a plurality of staple drivers movable within said staple cavities, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said staples toward said anvil, each said staple comprises, a base, a pair of legs extending from said base wherein each said leg has a tip configured to pierce tissue, and wherein each said leg comprises at least one barb extending therefrom; and
a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.
2 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.
3 . The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.
4 . An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
an anvil comprising a tissue compression portion configured to support tissue, said tissue compression portion comprising:
a first compression surface, and a first longitudinal row of staple forming pockets defined in said first compression surface;
a second compression surface, and a second longitudinal row of staple forming pockets defined in said first compression surface;
a longitudinal slot configured to receive a cutting member, wherein said longitudinal slot divides said tissue compression portion into a first lateral side and a second lateral side, wherein said first compression surface and said second compression surface are positioned on said first lateral side of said longitudinal slot, and wherein said first compression surface is offset from said second compression surface; and
a cartridge, comprising:
a first deck portion alignable with said first compression surface;
a second deck portion alignable with said second compression surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities are defined in said first deck portion, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities are defined in said second deck portion, wherein a first gap distance is defined between said first compression surface and said first deck portion, wherein a second gap distance is defined between said second compression surface and said second deck portion, and wherein said first gap distance is different than said second gap distance;
a plurality of staples removably stored within said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises:
a base; and
a plurality of legs extending from said base, wherein each said leg comprises a tip configured to pierce tissue, and wherein each said leg comprises at least one barb extending therefrom;
a plurality of staple drivers movable within said staple cavities, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said staples toward said anvil; and
a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.
5 . The end effector of claim 4 , wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.
6 . The end effector of claim 4 , wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.