Surgical staple cartridge with outer edge compression features

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;

(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:

(i) an anvil, and

(ii) a lower jaw, wherein the anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw to capture tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw; and

(d) a staple cartridge coupled with the lower jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:

(i) a deck facing the anvil,

(ii) a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck,

(iii) a first compressible feature extending toward the anvil, wherein the a first compressible feature is positioned along a first outer region of the deck, wherein the a first compressible feature is configured to compress tissue against the anvil, and

(iv) a second compressible feature extending toward the anvil, wherein the second compressible feature is positioned along a second outer region of the deck such a gap is defined laterally between the first and second compressible features, wherein the second compressible feature is configured to compress tissue against the anvil,

wherein the first and second compressible features are each configured to compress,

wherein the first and second compressible features each comprise an elastomeric material or foam.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the deck defines opposing outer edges extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the compressible features extends along a corresponding one of the outer edges.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a portion of each of the compressible features is configured to deflect outwardly away from the longitudinal axis of end effector such that a portion of each of the compressible features is outboard of the deck, in response to the end effector grasping tissue.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features each extend upwardly from the deck.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the deck defines a length, wherein the first and second compressible features each extend along the length of the deck.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features each have a generally triangular cross-sectional profile along a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a firing bar movable through the end effector to effect severing and stapling of tissue captured between the anvil and the deck.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first and second compressible features are configured to compress tissue against the anvil as the firing bar severs the tissue.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first and second compressible features are configured to remain part of the staple cartridge after the firing bar moves through the end effector to effect severing and stapling of the tissue.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features are configured to resiliently urge tissue clamped between the anvil and lower jaw toward the anvil.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features are integral with the deck.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features are configured to deform in response to compression of tissue by the compressible features against the anvil.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second compressible features each define an opening.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first and second compressible features further each define a length, wherein the opening extends along the length of the compressible feature.

15. A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge comprising:

(a) a cartridge body, wherein the cartridge body includes a cartridge deck, wherein the cartridge body further defines a plurality of staple openings passing through the cartridge deck, wherein the cartridge deck includes a first outermost edge and a second outermost edge, wherein the outermost edges extend longitudinally along a length of the cartridge deck, wherein the staple openings are positioned between the outermost edges;

(b) a plurality of staples associated with the plurality of staple openings;

(c) a first compressible bumper extending along the first outermost edge; and

(d) a second compressible bumper extending along the second outermost edge;

wherein the first and second compressible bumpers are configured to deform laterally and vertically relative to the cartridge deck when compressed against tissue;

wherein the first and second compressible bumpers each comprise an elastomeric material or foam; and

wherein the first and second compressible bumpers are configured to remain on the cartridge body after the staples are directed out of the staple openings.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 15 , wherein each of the compressible bumpers defines an opening extending along the length of the compressible bumpers, wherein the opening of each of the compressible bumpers is configured to provide clearance for compression of the compressible bumpers.

17. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;

(c) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:

(i) an anvil, and

(ii) a lower jaw, wherein the anvil is pivotable toward the lower jaw from an open configuration to a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and the lower jaw; and

(d) a staple cartridge coupled with the lower jaw, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:

(i) a deck facing the anvil,

(ii) a plurality of staples positioned in a plurality of staple openings formed through the deck, and

(iii) a pair of compressible features integrally formed with the deck, wherein the compressible features are positioned along respective outer regions of the deck such that the compressible features are laterally spaced apart from each other by a gap extending laterally between the compressible features, wherein the compressible features are each operable to transition between an expanded state and a compressed state, wherein the compressible features are each resiliently biased to the expanded state, wherein the compressible features each comprise an elastomeric material or foam.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the compressible features are configured to laterally and vertically deform when in the compressed state.