IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,653,533
Granted Patent B2
US 12,653,533 · App. 18/530,492 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Fastener cartridge deck with a movable projection

Inventors: Thomas W. Huitema (West Chester, OH); Michael E. Setser (Burlington, KY); Geoffrey C. Hueil (Cincinnati, OH)
Assignee: Cilag GmbH International
A61B17/105A61B17/0644A61B17/068A61B17/0682A61B17/072A61B17/07207A61B17/07292A61B90/03G06F11/1425A61B2017/00057A61B2017/00115A61B2017/00398A61B2017/0046A61B2017/00734A61B2017/07214A61B2017/07235A61B2017/07242A61B2017/07257A61B2017/07264A61B2017/07271A61B2017/07278A61B2090/034A61B2090/038A61B2090/0801A61B2090/0807A61B2090/0811A61B2090/306A61B2090/309
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,653,533
App. No.
18/530,492
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cover member for a surgical staple cartridge. The cover member is configured to retain a wedge sled within the staple cartridge in a starting position when the cover member is attached to the body of the staple cartridge. The cover member includes a top portion that covers all of the fastener openings in the deck of the staple cartridge when the cover is attached to the cartridge.

Claims (32)

1 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising:

a base comprised of a first material, wherein the cartridge body defines a plurality of staple cavities therein; and

a tissue-facing deck comprised of a second material, wherein the second material is different than the first material, wherein a plurality of openings are defined in the tissue-facing deck, each aligned with one of the plurality of staple cavities underneath, and wherein the tissue-facing deck comprises an array of three or more projections each of which is spaced apart from the other in a longitudinal direction by a portion of the tissue-facing deck and extend away therefrom and wherein at least a first projection of the array of projections is collapsible between a first shape and a second shape; and

a plurality of staples removably stored in the cartridge body, wherein the plurality of staples comprises a first staple, and wherein an interference fit is defined between the first staple and the first projection in the first shape and in the second shape.

2 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first material is less compressible than the second material.

3 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the second material comprises an elastomeric material.

4 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the second material is selected from a group consisting of rubber and a thermoplastic elastomer.

5 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first projection is collapsible from the first shape to the second shape in response to a compressive load.

6 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 5 , further comprising a slot positioned to receive a cam beam during a staple firing stroke, wherein the compressive load is applied mid-staple firing stroke by the cam beam.

7 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first projection comprises a first height in the first shape, wherein the first projection comprises a second height in the second shape, and wherein the second height is less than the first height.

8 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the first projection comprises a first width in the first shape, wherein the first projection comprises a second width in the second shape, and wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

9 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising:

a base defining a first compressibility, wherein the cartridge body defines a plurality of staple cavities therein; and

a tissue-facing deck defining a second compressibility, wherein the second compressibility is greater than the first compressibility, wherein a plurality of openings are defined in the tissue-facing deck, each aligned with one of the plurality of staple cavities underneath, and wherein the tissue-facing deck comprises an array of three or more projections each of which is spaced apart from the other in a longitudinal direction by a portion of the tissue-facing deck and extend away therefrom, and wherein at least a first projection of the array of projections is collapsible between a first shape and a second shape; and

a plurality of staples removably stored in the cartridge body, wherein the plurality of staples comprises a first staple, wherein the first projection is shaped to support the first staple in the first shape and the second shape.

10 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the tissue-facing deck comprises an elastomeric material.

11 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the tissue-facing deck is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of rubber and a thermoplastic elastomer.

12 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 9 , wherein the first projection is collapsible from the first shape to the second shape in response to a compressive load.

13 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 12 , further comprising a slot positioned to receive a cam beam during a staple firing stroke, wherein the compressive load is applied mid-staple firing stroke by the cam beam.

14 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 13 , wherein the first projection comprises a first height and a first width in the first shape, wherein the first projection comprises a second height and a second width in the second shape, wherein the second height is less than the first height, and wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

15 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 14 , wherein an interference fit is defined between the first staple and the first projection in the first shape and in the second shape.

16 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising:

a base, wherein the cartridge body defines a plurality of staple cavities therein; and

a tissue-facing deck, wherein a plurality of openings are defined in the tissue-facing deck, each aligned with one of the plurality of staple cavities underneath, wherein the tissue-facing deck comprises an array of three or more projections each of which is spaced apart from the other in a longitudinal direction by a portion of the tissue-facing deck and extend away therefrom and wherein at least a first projection of the plurality of projections is crushable between a first shape and a second shape; and

a plurality of staples removably stored in the cartridge body, wherein the plurality of staples comprises a first staple, wherein the first projection is shaped to support the first staple in the first shape and the second shape.

17 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 16 , wherein the first projection is crushable from the first shape to the second shape in response to a compressive load.

18 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 17 , further comprising a slot positioned to receive a cam beam during a staple firing stroke, wherein the compressive load is applied mid-staple firing stroke by the cam beam.

19 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 16 , wherein the first projection comprises a first height and a first width in the first shape, wherein the first projection comprises a second height and a second width in the second shape, wherein the second height is less than the first height, and wherein the second width is greater than the first width.

20 . The surgical staple cartridge of claim 16 , wherein an interference fit is defined between the first staple and the first projection in the first shape and in the second shape.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: HUITEMA, THOMAS W.; SETSER, MICHAEL E.; HUEIL, GEOFFREY C.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 066288/0793 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, INC.
To: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, LLC
Reel/Frame 066288/0924 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: ETHICON ENDO-SURGERY, LLC
To: ETHICON LLC
Reel/Frame 066289/0210 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2024
From: ETHICON LLC
To: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 066379/0104 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 17532390 · Nov 22, 2021
Continuation 14319013 · Jun 30, 2014
Provisional Application 61980282 · Apr 16, 2014
Related Publication 20240148380A1 · May 9, 2024
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