US 11,896,224 B2 · Staple cartridge for a surgical instrument

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a staple cartridge for a surgical instrument having a staple and a staple pusher. The staple pusher has a recess forming a pocket in its top surface for receiving at least the backspan of the staple. The pocket is at least partially surrounded by a circumferential supporting element in the staple pusher body to support the backspan. The pocket provides additional vertical space and support for the staple such that a smaller staple cartridge may provide a substantially similar performance as conventional staple cartridges, allowing for a more compact and maneuverable surgical instrument. In addition, the pocket in the staple pusher allows for a staple having a larger bend radius than conventional staples, thereby providing additional support for the staple and minimizing malformation of the staple during use.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A surgical instrument comprising:

an end effector comprising first and second jaws configured to move relative to each other between an open position and a closed position;
and
a staple cartridge coupled to one of the first or second jaws and comprising one or more staple assemblies, wherein each staple assembly comprises:
a staple pusher having a body with upper and lower surfaces and a recess in the upper surface, a distance between the upper and lower surfaces defining a maximum height of the staple pusher, wherein a distance from the lower surface of the staple pusher to an inner surface of the recess is less than 60% of the distance between the upper and lower surfaces of the staple pusher;
and
a staple having first and second legs and a backspan adjoining the first leg to the second leg, wherein at least a portion of the backspan is configured to fit within the recess of the staple pusher.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Staple cartridge for a surgical instrument

Life of this patent

Staple cartridge for a surgical instrument

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14