FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS
A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.
1 . A fastening instrument for fastening tissue, comprising:
a longitudinal instrument axis;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
fastener cavities extending along a curved fastener line which curves relative to said longitudinal instrument axis, wherein each said fastener cavity comprises an opening in said deck, and wherein each said opening defines a cavity axis;
fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities;
a plurality of first extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said first extension is at least partially positioned along a said cavity axis, and wherein each said first extension comprises a first shape;
a plurality of second extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said second extension is at least partially positioned along a said cavity axis, and wherein each said second extension comprises a second shape that is different than said first shape; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples.
2 . The fastening instrument of claim 1 , wherein each said fastener cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first extension extends around a first end of a said fastener cavity, and wherein each said second extension extends around a second end of a said fastener cavity.
3 . The fastening instrument of claim 1 , wherein each said first extension is defined by a first height, wherein each said second extension is defined by a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height.
4 . The fastening instrument of claim 1 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil.
5 . The fastening instrument of claim 4 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions are positioned in said apertures.
6 . The fastening instrument of claim 1 , wherein said first extensions are configured to create first compression zones within the tissue, wherein said second extensions are configured to create second compression zones within the tissue, and wherein said second compression zones are distinct from said first compression zones.
7 . A stapling instrument for stapling tissue, comprising:
a shaft comprising a longitudinal axis;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
staple cavities arranged in a curved staple line, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck, and wherein each said cavity defines a cavity axis which is transverse to said longitudinal axis;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
first extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said first extension is at least partially positioned along a said cavity axis;
second extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said second extension is at least partially positioned along a said cavity axis, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions create distinct tissue compression zones; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples.
8 . The stapling instrument of claim 7 , wherein each said staple cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first extension extends around a first end of a said staple cavity, and wherein each said second extension extends around a second end of a said staple cavity.
9 . The stapling instrument of claim 7 , wherein each said first extension is defined by a first height, wherein each said second extension is defined by a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height.
10 . The stapling instrument of claim 7 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil.
11 . The stapling instrument of claim 10 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions are positioned in said apertures.
12 . The stapling instrument of claim 7 , wherein said first extensions comprise a first shape, and wherein said second extensions comprise a second shape which is different than said first shape.
13 . A stapling instrument for stapling tissue, comprising:
a shaft comprising a longitudinal axis;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
staple cavities, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
first projections extending from said deck, wherein said first projections are defined by a first height;
second projections extending from said deck, wherein each said first projection forms an axis with a said second projection which is co-extensive with a said cavity opening and is transverse to said longitudinal axis, wherein said second projections are defined by a second height, and wherein said first projections and said second projections create distinct tissue compression zones; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples.
14 . The stapling instrument of claim 13 , wherein each said staple cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first projection extends around a first end of a said staple cavity, and wherein each said second projection extends around a second end of a said staple cavity.
15 . The stapling instrument of claim 13 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil.
16 . The stapling instrument of claim 15 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first projections and said second projections are positioned in said apertures.