SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS
A system is disclosed. The system can comprise a replaceable staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, a proximal laterally-protruding lug, and a distal laterally-protruding lug. The system can further comprise a channel configured to receive the replaceable staple cartridge, wherein the channel comprises a sidewall comprising a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the proximal laterally-protruding lug and a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive the distal laterally-protruding lug.
1 . A system, comprising:
a replaceable staple cartridge, comprising:
a plurality of staples;
a proximal laterally-protruding lug; and
a distal laterally-protruding lug; and
a channel configured to receive said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said channel comprises a sidewall comprising:
a proximal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive said proximal laterally-protruding lug; and
a distal receptacle positioned and dimensioned to receive said distal laterally-protruding lug.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said channel further comprises an obstruction, and wherein said replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to overcome said obstruction.
3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a second replaceable staple cartridge comprising a non-complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to interfere with said obstruction.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said proximal receptacle defines a cutout in said sidewall, and wherein said cutout comprises a depression and a projection.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said projection is positioned within said depression.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second replaceable staple cartridge, comprising:
a second plurality of staples;
a second proximal laterally-protruding lug; and
a second distal laterally-protruding lug.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said second distal laterally-protruding lug is spaced apart from said second proximal laterally-protruding lug by a distance, and wherein said distance is different than a first distance between said proximal laterally-protruding lug and said distal laterally-protruding lug of said replaceable staple cartridge.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said second distal laterally-protruding lug matches said distal laterally-protruding lug, and wherein said second proximal laterally-protruding lug is different than said proximal laterally protruding-lug.
9 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said second replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a deck, wherein said channel further comprises a bottom surface, and wherein said deck is obliquely oriented relative to said bottom surface when said second replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in said channel.
10 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said replaceable staple cartridge and said second replaceable staple cartridge comprise the same width and the same length.
11 . The system of claim 6 , wherein said plurality of staples and said second plurality of staples comprise the same quantity of staples.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said distal laterally-protruding lug comprises a different geometry than said proximal laterally-protruding lug.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said proximal laterally-protruding lug comprises a wedge.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said proximal laterally-protruding lug comprises a cutout that matches a projection in said proximal receptacle.
15 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said proximal laterally-protruding lug protrudes from a first side of said replaceable staple cartridge, and wherein said distal laterally-protruding lug protrudes from a second side of said replaceable staple cartridge.
16 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said replaceable staple cartridge further comprises a deck, wherein said channel further comprises a bottom surface, and wherein said deck is parallel to said bottom surface when said replaceable staple cartridge is positioned in said channel.
17 . A system, comprising:
a channel comprising an obstruction;
a compatible staple cartridge comprising a complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to complement said obstruction when said compatible staple cartridge is received in said channel; and
an incompatible staple cartridge comprising a non-complementary anti-obstruction positioned and dimensioned to interfere with said obstruction when said incompatible staple cartridge is received in said channel.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein said compatible staple cartridge and said incompatible staple cartridge comprise rows of staples of the same length.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein said compatible staple cartridge and said incompatible staple cartridge comprise the same quantity of staples.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein said obstruction further comprises a cutout comprising a depression and a projection.
21 . A system, comprising:
a compatible staple cartridge comprising a first quantity of staples;
an incompatible staple cartridge comprising said first quantity of staples; and
a channel comprising means for permitting complete insertion of said compatible staple cartridge and for preventing said incompatible staple cartridge from being completely inserted into said channel.