ABSORBABLE STAPLE COMPRISING STRAIN LIMITING FEATURES
Staple cartridges comprising absorbable staples having sufficient mechanical properties to be deployed into patient tissue, clench the patient tissue, and then dissolve within a desired time frame.
1 . A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body including staple cavities; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples have been heat-treated.
2 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said staples are comprised of a magnesium alloy.
3 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said staples are comprised of a zinc alloy.
4 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said staples are comprised of an iron alloy.
5 . A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body including staple cavities; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples have been heat-treated while in said staple cavities.
6 . The staple cartridge of claim 5 , wherein said staples are comprised of a magnesium alloy.
7 . The staple cartridge of claim 5 , wherein said staples are comprised of a zinc alloy.
8 . The staple cartridge of claim 5 , wherein said staples are comprised of an iron alloy.
9 . A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body including a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
first staples removably stored in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said first staples have been heat-treated; and
second staples removably stored in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein aid second staples have not been heat-treated.
10 . A wire staple, comprising:
a crown;
a leg; and
a bend connecting said leg and said crown, wherein said leg and said crown have a first cross-sectional area, and wherein said bend has a second cross-sectional area that is less than said first cross-sectional area.
11 . The wire staple of claim 10 , wherein said wire staple is comprised of a magnesium alloy.
12 . The wire staple of claim 10 , wherein said wire staple is comprised of a zinc alloy.
13 . The wire staple of claim 10 , wherein said wire staple is comprised of an iron alloy.
14 . The wire staple of claim 10 , wherein said first cross-sectional area comprises a first diameter, and wherein said second cross-sectional area comprises a second diameter that is smaller than said first diameter.
15 - 108 . (canceled)