FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR AND A GAP SETTING ELEMENT
A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be arranged in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. The fastener cartridge can further comprise a gap setting element which can be configured to control the distance between the anvil, the support portion, and/or the tissue thickness compensator.
1 . A fastener cartridge for use with a fastening instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
fastener cavities;
fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein said fasteners are movable into a fired position;
a compressible tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said deck, wherein said fasteners are configured to capture a portion of said tissue thickness compensator therein when said fasteners are moved from said unfired position to said fired position; and
a gap setting element extending from said cartridge body, wherein said gap setting element is configured to establish a relative position between the anvil and said tissue thickness compensator.
2 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said cartridge body comprises:
a proximal end; and
a distal end, wherein said gap setting element extends from said distal end.
3 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said gap setting element is rigid.
4 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said gap setting element is integrally formed with said cartridge body.
5 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a tissue contacting surface, and wherein relative movement between the anvil and said tissue thickness compensator is configured to compress the tissue thickness compensator and push said tissue contacting surface toward said deck until said relative movement is arrested by said gap setting element.
6 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said gap setting element is flexible.
7 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said gap setting element comprises a first gap setting element, wherein said fastener cartridge further comprises a second gap setting element extending from said cartridge body, wherein said second gap setting element is configured to establish a relative position between the anvil and said tissue thickness compensator.
8 . The fastener cartridge of claim 7 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein configured to receive a cutting element, wherein said first gap setting element is positioned relative to a first side of said longitudinal slot, and wherein said second gap setting element is positioned relative to a second side of said longitudinal slot.
9 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein configured to receive a cutting element, wherein said gap setting element is positioned in said longitudinal slot.
10 . A fastener cartridge for use with a fastening instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
fastener cavities;
fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein said fasteners are movable into a fired position;
a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said deck, said tissue thickness compensator comprising:
a compressible body; and
a top surface, wherein said fasteners are configured to capture a portion of said tissue thickness compensator and contact the anvil when said fasteners are moved from said unfired position to said fired position; and
a gap setting element extending from said cartridge body, wherein relative movement between the anvil and said tissue thickness compensator is configured to compress said tissue thickness compensator and push said top surface toward said deck until said relative movement is inhibited by said gap setting element.
11 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said cartridge body comprises:
a proximal end; and
a distal end, wherein said gap setting element extends from said distal end.
12 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said gap setting element is rigid.
13 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said gap setting element is integrally formed with said cartridge body.
14 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said gap setting element is flexible.
15 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said gap setting element comprises a first gap setting element, wherein said fastener cartridge further comprises a second gap setting element extending from said cartridge body, and wherein relative movement between the anvil and said tissue thickness compensator is configured to compress said tissue thickness compensator and push said top surface toward said deck until said relative movement is inhibited by said second gap setting element.
16 . The fastener cartridge of claim 15 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein configured to receive a cutting element, wherein said first gap setting element is positioned relative to a first side of said longitudinal slot, and wherein said second gap setting element is positioned relative to a second side of said longitudinal slot.
17 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein configured to receive a cutting element, wherein said gap setting element is positioned in said longitudinal slot.
18 . An end effector for use with a fastening instrument, said end effector comprising:
an anvil;
a cutting member;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck; and
fastener cavities;
fasteners removably stored in said cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein said fasteners are movable into a fired position; and
a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said deck, said tissue thickness compensator comprising:
a compressible body; and
a top surface, wherein said fasteners are configured to capture a portion of said tissue thickness compensator and contact the anvil when said fasteners are moved from said unfired position to said fired position; and
gap setting means for arresting relative movement between said anvil and said cartridge body.