Staple cartridge
A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a tissue stop configured to inhibit tissue from flowing out of the distal end of the stapling instrument as the tissue is being stapled and/or incised. Also disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus comprising one or more interruptions, or absent staple cavities, in the rows of staple cavities defined therein. Also disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus comprising a channel configured to receive tissue and/or another surgical instrument therein. In at least one instance, such a stapling apparatus could comprise staple cavities on one side of a longitudinal knife slot and no staple cavities on the other side of the knife slot. Further disclosed are methods for using the surgical stapling devices disclosed herein.
1. A staple cartridge for use with a stapling instrument including an anvil, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;
a distal cluster of staple cavities;
a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and
longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster, wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said first lateral side, and wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said second lateral side;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and
a deflectable support extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable support is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable support is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable support is configured to inhibit the distal flow of tissue relative to said deck.
2. A staple cartridge for use with a stapling instrument including an anvil, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;
a distal cluster of staple cavities;
a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and
longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster, wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said first lateral side, and wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said second lateral side;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and
a deflectable distal nose extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to trap tissue over said deck.
3. An end effector, comprising:
an anvil;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;
a distal cluster of staple cavities;
a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and
longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and
a deformable distal nose extending from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to support said anvil when said anvil is clamped, wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by said anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to trap tissue over said deck.
4. A fastener for use with a fastening instrument including an anvil, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end;
a proximal group of fastener cavities;
a distal group of fastener cavities; and
a longitudinal row of fastener cavities connecting said proximal group and said distal group;
fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities; and
a deflectable support extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable support is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable support is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable support is configured to inhibit the distal flow of tissue relative to said deck.