Fastener cartridge comprising non-uniform fasteners
A fastener cartridge can comprise fastener cavities arranged in longitudinal rows. A first fastener having a first configuration and a second fastener having a second configuration can be stored within a longitudinal row. First fasteners having a first configuration can be stored within a first longitudinal row and second fasteners having a second configuration can be stored within a second longitudinal row. Each first fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first distal angle and each second fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second distal angle. The first proximal angle can be different than the second proximal angle and/or the first distal angle can be different than the second distal angle.
1. A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a tissue-supporting deck and a plurality of fastener cavities forming a plurality of openings in said tissue-supporting deck, said plurality of fastener cavities comprising a fastener cavity forming an opening;
a firing member configured to move past said fastener cavity during a firing stroke; and
fasteners comprising a first fastener positioned in said fastener cavity in a ready-to-eject configuration, wherein said first fastener is configured to be ejected into tissue from said ready-to-eject configuration, and wherein said first fastener comprises:
a base;
a first leg, comprising:
a first attachment portion extending from said base; and
a first tip portion extending from said first attachment portion at a first angle relative to said first attachment portion; and
a second leg, comprising:
a second attachment portion extending from said base; and
a second tip portion extending from said second attachment portion at a second angle relative to said second attachment portion, wherein said second angle is different than said first angle when said first fastener is in said ready-to-eject configuration to accommodate shifting of said first fastener during the firing stroke.
2. The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said first leg comprises a proximal leg and said second leg comprises a distal leg.
3. The fastener cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said second angle is greater than said first angle.
4. The fastener cartridge of claim 3 , wherein said first angle is zero.
5. The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said first attachment portion extends from said base at a first attachment angle, wherein said second attachment portion extends from said base at a second attachment angle, and wherein said second attachment angle is the same as said first attachment angle.
6. The fastener cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said first fastener is asymmetric relative to an axis oriented perpendicular to said base and extending through said base equidistance between a proximal end of said base and a distal end of said base.
7. The fastener cartridge of claim 6 , wherein said first attachment portion and said second attachment portion are symmetrically positioned relative to the axis.
8. A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a tissue-supporting deck and a plurality of fastener cavities forming a plurality of openings in said tissue-supporting deck, said plurality of fastener cavities comprising a fastener cavity forming an opening; and
fasteners configured to be progressively fired from said cartridge body, said fasteners comprising a first fastener positioned in said fastener cavity in a ready-to-eject configuration, wherein said first fastener is configured to be ejected into tissue from said ready-to-eject configuration, and wherein said first fastener comprises:
a base;
a proximal leg, comprising:
a first proximal portion extending from said base; and
a second proximal portion extending from said first proximal portion at a first angle; and
a distal leg, comprising:
a first distal portion extending from said base; and
a second distal portion extending from said first distal portion at a second angle, wherein said second angle is different than said first angle when said first fastener is in said ready-to-eject configuration.
9. The fastener cartridge of claim 8 , wherein said second angle is greater than said first angle.
10. The fastener cartridge of claim 9 , wherein said first angle is zero.
11. The fastener cartridge of claim 8 , wherein said first proximal portion extends from said base at a first attachment angle, wherein said first distal portion extends from said base at a second attachment angle, and wherein said second attachment angle and said first attachment angle are equal.
12. The fastener cartridge of claim 8 , wherein said first fastener is asymmetric relative to an axis oriented perpendicular to said base and extending through said base equidistance between a proximal end of said base and a distal end of said base.
13. The fastener cartridge of claim 12 , wherein said first proximal portion and said first distal portion are symmetrically positioned relative to the axis.
14. A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a tissue-supporting deck and a plurality of fastener cavities forming a plurality of openings in said tissue-supporting deck, said plurality of fastener cavities comprising a fastener cavity forming an opening;
a firing member configured to move past said fastener cavity during a firing stroke; and
fasteners configured to be progressively fired from said cartridge body, said fasteners comprising a first fastener positioned in said fastener cavity in a ready-to-eject configuration, wherein said first fastener is configured to be ejected into tissue from said ready-to-eject configuration, said first fastener comprising:
a base comprising a first end and a second end;
a first leg comprising:
a first segment extending from said first end; and
a second segment extending from said first segment at a non-zero angle relative to said first segment; and
a second leg extending from said second end;
wherein said first fastener is asymmetric relative to an axis oriented perpendicular to said base and extending through said base equidistance between said first end and said second end when said first fastener is in said ready-to-eject configuration.
15. The fastener cartridge of claim 14 , wherein said second leg comprises:
a third segment extending from said second end; and
a fourth segment extending from said third segment at an angle relative to said third segment, wherein said angle is less than said non-zero angle.
16. The fastener cartridge of claim 15 , wherein said third segment and said fourth segment are collinear.
17. The fastener cartridge of claim 14 , wherein said first leg comprises a distal leg and said second leg comprises a proximal leg.
18. The fastener cartridge of claim 14 , wherein said non-zero angle is configured to accommodate shifting of said first fastener during the firing stroke.