Stapling assembly configured to produce different formed staple heights
View Patent ↗A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises an anvil jaw, a firing member, and a replaceable cartridge jaw comprising a tissue-supporting deck including a first longitudinal step and a second longitudinal step. The first longitudinal step is positioned above the second longitudinal step. The replaceable cartridge jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, a plurality of first staples, a plurality of second staples, a plurality of drivers, and a sled. The sled is configured to lift the drivers toward the anvil jaw to deform the first staples to a first formed height and the second staples to a second formed. The first formed height is different than the second formed height.
1. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:
an anvil jaw;
a firing member, comprising:
a tissue cutting portion;
a first camming member; and
a second camming member; and
a replaceable cartridge jaw, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a tissue-supporting deck, including:
a first longitudinal step; and
a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;
a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;
a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;
a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil jaw; and
a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil jaw to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height, and wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to control the relative position of said replaceable cartridge jaw and said anvil jaw.
2. The stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.
3. The stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said replaceable cartridge jaw comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.
4. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:
a first jaw including an anvil;
a firing member, comprising:
a tissue cutting portion;
a first camming member; and
a second camming member; and
a replaceable cartridge constituting a second jaw, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a tissue-supporting deck, including:
a first longitudinal step; and
a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;
a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;
a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;
a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil; and
a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height, and wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to limit the relative position of said replaceable cartridge and said anvil.
5. The stapling assembly of claim 4 , wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.
6. The stapling assembly of claim 4 , wherein said replaceable cartridge comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.
7. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:
a first jaw including an anvil;
a firing member, comprising:
a tissue cutting portion;
a first cam; and
a second cam; and
a replaceable cartridge composing a second jaw, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a tissue-supporting deck, including:
a first longitudinal step; and
a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step, wherein said first cam and said second cam are configured to position said first jaw and said second jaw in a clamped configuration such that said first longitudinal step is a first gap distance away from said anvil and said second longitudinal step is a second gap distance away from said anvil, and wherein said first gap distance is different than said second gap distance;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;
a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;
a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;
a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil; and
a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height.
8. The stapling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.
9. The stapling assembly of claim 7 , wherein said replaceable cartridge comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.