Surgical anvil arrangements
A surgical stapling anvil is disclosed comprising an anvil body including a tissue-facing surface, a plurality of staple forming pockets, and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal slot comprises a first portion configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough and a second portion configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough. The anvil further comprises an anvil cap welded to the anvil body, wherein the anvil cap comprises a welded portion and a non-welded portion, wherein the non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein the non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of the width of the second portion.
1. A surgical stapling anvil, comprising:
an anvil body, comprising:
a tissue-facing surface;
a plurality of staple forming pockets defined in said tissue-facing surface; and
a longitudinal slot, comprising:
a first portion comprising a first width, wherein said first portion is configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough; and
a second portion comprising a second width greater than said first width, wherein said second portion is configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough; and
an anvil cap welded to said anvil body, wherein said anvil cap comprises:
a welded portion; and
a non-welded portion, wherein said non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein said non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of said second width.
2. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 1 , wherein said non-welded portion comprises:
a first non-welded portion configured to be received within said second portion of said longitudinal slot; and
a second non-welded portion comprising alignment surfaces configured to align said anvil cap to said anvil body for welding.
3. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 2 , wherein said tissue-facing surface defines a first plane, and wherein said alignment surfaces define a second plane at least substantially parallel to said first plane.
4. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 1 , wherein said welded portion is flared with respect to said non-welded portion.
5. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 4 , wherein said welded portion comprises welded, angular surfaces corresponding to angular surfaces of said anvil body.
6. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 1 , wherein said anvil cap comprises a Y-shaped cross-section.
7. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 1 , wherein said anvil body further comprises:
a first ledge configured to be engaged by the anvil-camming portion of the firing member; and
a second ledge spaced apart from said first ledge, wherein said anvil cap is configured to contact said second ledge.
8. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 1 , wherein said welded portion interfaces with a first surface of said anvil body, and wherein said non-welded portion interfaces with a second surface of said anvil body.
9. A surgical stapling anvil, comprising:
an anvil body, comprising:
a tissue-facing surface;
a plurality of staple forming pockets defined in said tissue-facing surface; and
a longitudinal slot, defining:
a first portion comprising a first width, wherein said first portion is configured to receive a cutting edge of a firing member therethrough; and
a second portion comprising a second width greater than said first width, wherein said second portion is configured to receive an anvil-camming portion of the firing member therethrough; and
an anvil cap welded to said anvil body, wherein said anvil cap comprises:
a welded segment; and
a non-welded segment, wherein said non-welded segment comprises a non-welded width, and wherein said non-welded width is no greater than 105% of said second width.
10. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 9 , wherein said non-welded segment comprises:
a first non-welded segment configured to be received within said second portion of said longitudinal slot; and
a second non-welded segment comprising alignment surfaces configured to align said anvil cap to said anvil body for welding.
11. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 10 , wherein said tissue-facing surface defines a first plane, and wherein said alignment surfaces define a second plane at least substantially parallel to said first plane.
12. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 9 , wherein said welded segment is flared with respect to said non-welded segment.
13. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 12 , wherein said welded segment comprises welded, angular surfaces corresponding to angular surfaces of said anvil body.
14. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 9 , wherein said anvil cap comprises a Y-shaped cross-section.
15. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 9 , wherein said anvil body further comprises:
a first ledge configured to be engaged by the anvil-camming portion of the firing member; and
a second ledge spaced apart from said first ledge, wherein said anvil cap is configured to contact said second ledge.
16. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 9 , wherein said welded segment interfaces with a first surface of said anvil body, and wherein said non-welded segment interfaces with a second surface of said anvil body.
17. A surgical stapling anvil, comprising:
an anvil body, comprising:
a tissue-facing surface;
a plurality of staple forming pockets defined in said tissue-facing surface; and
a longitudinal slot, defining:
camming ledges, wherein a first width is defined between said camming ledges, and wherein a cutting edge of a firing member is configured to traverse between said camming ledges; and
anvil slot walls, wherein a second width greater than said first width is defined between said anvil slot walls, and wherein an anvil-camming portion of the firing member is configured to traverse between said anvil slot walls; and
an anvil cap welded to said anvil body, wherein said anvil cap comprises:
a welded portion; and
a non-welded portion, wherein said non-welded portion comprises a non-welded width, and wherein said non-welded width is less than or equal to about 105% of said second width.
18. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 17 , wherein said non-welded portion comprises:
a first non-welded portion configured to be received between said anvil slot walls of said longitudinal slot; and
a second non-welded portion comprising alignment surfaces configured to align said anvil cap to said anvil body for welding.
19. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 17 , wherein the anvil-camming portion of the firing member is configured to engage said camming ledges.
20. The surgical stapling anvil of claim 17 , wherein said welded portion interfaces with a first surface of said anvil body, and wherein said non-welded portion interfaces with a second surface of said anvil body.