FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS
A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.
1 . A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body, wherein a plurality of fastener cavities are defined into said cartridge body, and wherein said cartridge body comprises:
a deck, wherein each said fastener cavity comprises an opening in said deck;
a plurality of first extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said first extension is positioned at least partially around a said opening in said deck, and wherein each said first extension comprises a first shape; and
a plurality of second extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said second extension is positioned at least partially around a said opening in said deck, and wherein each said second extension comprises a second shape that is different than said first shape; and
a plurality of fasteners removably positioned in said fastener cavities.
2 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said first extensions are distal to said second extensions.
3 . The fastener cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said first extensions define a first height from said deck, wherein said second extensions define a second height from said deck, and wherein said second height is less than said first height.
4 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said fastener cavities are positioned in a plurality of rows, wherein said plurality of rows comprises a first outer row, a second outer row, and an inner row intermediate said first outer row and said second outer row, wherein said first extensions are positioned at least partially around said openings of said fastener cavities in said first outer row and said second outer row, and wherein said second extensions are positioned at least partially around said openings of said fastener cavities in said inner row.
5 . The fastener cartridge of claim 4 , wherein said first extensions define a first height from said deck, wherein said second extensions define a second height from said deck, and wherein said second height is less than said first height.
6 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of third extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said third extension is positioned at least partially around a said opening in said deck, and wherein each said third extension comprises a third shape that is different than said first shape and said second shape.
7 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said deck comprises a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said first extensions extend from said proximal portion of said deck, wherein said second extensions extend from said intermediate portion of said deck, and wherein said third extensions extend from said distal portion of said deck.
8 . The fastener cartridge of claim 7 , wherein said first extensions define a first height from said deck, wherein said second extensions define a second height from said deck that is greater than said first height, and wherein said third extensions define a third height from said deck that is greater than said second height.
9 . The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said deck comprises a non-elevated surface adjacent to at least one said opening.
10 . A fastener cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a longitudinal row of first fastener cavities;
a longitudinal row of second fastener cavities;
a longitudinal row of first extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said first extension extends from said deck a first extension height, and wherein said longitudinal row of first extensions is aligned with said longitudinal row of first fastener cavities; and
a longitudinal row of second extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said second extension extends from said deck a second extension height, wherein said second extension height is different than said first extension height, and wherein said longitudinal row of second extensions is aligned with said longitudinal row of second fastener cavities;
a plurality of first fasteners removably stored in said first fastener cavities; and
a plurality of second fasteners removably stored in said second fastener cavities.
11 . The fastener cartridge of claim 10 , wherein said cartridge body further comprises a longitudinal slot defined therein which is configured to receive a cutting member, and wherein said longitudinal row of first fastener cavities is positioned between said longitudinal slot and said longitudinal row of second fastener cavities.
12 . The fastener cartridge of claim 11 , wherein said second extension height is taller than said first extension height.
13 . The fastener cartridge of claim 11 , wherein each said first fastener comprises a first unformed height when removably stored in a first fastener cavity, wherein each said second fastener comprises a second unformed height when removably stored in a second fastener cavity, and wherein said second unformed height is taller than said first unformed height.
14 . The fastener cartridge of claim 13 , further comprising:
first forming means for forming said first fasteners to a first formed height; and
second forming means for forming said second fasteners to a second formed height, wherein said second formed height is taller than said first formed height.
15 . A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument including an anvil, said fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a deck;
a longitudinal slot defined in said deck which is configured to receive a cutting member;
a longitudinal row of first fastener cavities;
a longitudinal row of second fastener cavities, wherein said longitudinal row of first fastener cavities is positioned intermediate said longitudinal slot and said longitudinal row of second fastener cavities;
first tissue flow control means for setting a first tissue gap between said deck and the anvil, wherein said first tissue flow control means is aligned with said longitudinal row of first fastener cavities;
second tissue flow control means for setting a second tissue gap between said deck and the anvil, wherein said second tissue flow control means is aligned with said longitudinal row of second fastener cavities, and wherein said second tissue gap is different than said first tissue gap; and
a plurality of first fasteners removably stored in said first fastener cavities; and
a plurality of second fasteners removably stored in said second fastener cavities.
16 . The fastener cartridge of claim 15 , wherein said second tissue gap is shorter than said first tissue gap.
17 . The fastener cartridge of claim 15 , wherein each said first fastener comprises a first unformed height when removably stored in a first fastener cavity, wherein each said second fastener comprises a second unformed height when removably stored in a second fastener cavity, and wherein said second unformed height is taller than said first unformed height.
18 . The fastener cartridge of claim 17 , further comprising:
first forming means for forming said first fasteners to a first formed height; and
second forming means for forming said second fasteners to a second formed height, wherein said second formed height is taller than said first formed height.