Stapling systems and methods for surgical devices and end effectors

An end effector for stapling and cutting an anatomical structure, the end effector comprising:

• (a) an anvil, the anvil comprising;
• (i) a first distal anvil end, a second proximal anvil end, and an anvil face;
• (ii) an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, wherein the anvil blade channel is positioned to bisect the anvil face into a first half and a second half;
• and
• (iii) a plurality of staple pockets positioned on the anvil face, wherein the plurality of staple pockets are arranged in rows;
• (b) a cartridge having a first distal cartridge end, a second proximal cartridge end, and a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, wherein each of the plurality of staples comprises a first staple leg, a second staple leg, and a crown connecting the first staple leg and the second staple leg, each of the plurality of staples comprising:
• (i) an open staple configuration wherein the first staple leg and the second staple leg are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crown;
• and
• (ii) a closed staple configuration wherein the first staple leg and the second staple leg lie in different planes;
• (c) a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, wherein the blade is movable in the anvil blade channel, and
• wherein the anvil and cartridge are movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the first distal anvil end is pivotally coupled with the first distal cartridge end and the second proximal anvil end is coupled with the second proximal cartridge end in the open position and the closed position through a rigid link having a first end, a second end, and a ramp surface, wherein the first end of the rigid link is movably connected to the anvil, and the second end of the rigid link is movably connected to the cartridge, and wherein the blade is movable from a first distal position at the first distal anvil end to a second proximal position at the second proximal anvil end when the anvil and cartridge are in the closed position, and
• wherein the plurality of staple pockets each comprise a pocket shape configured to shape one of the plurality of staples to be in the closed staple configuration, and wherein the pocket shape of each of the plurality of staple pockets in adjacent rows vary.

An end effector for stapling and cutting an anatomical structure, the end effector comprising:

• (a) an anvil, the anvil comprising;
• (i) a first distal anvil end, a second proximal anvil end, and an anvil face;
• (ii) an anvil blade channel defined by the anvil face, wherein the anvil blade channel is positioned to bisect the anvil face into a first half and a second half;
• and
• (ii) a plurality of staple pockets positioned on the anvil face, wherein the plurality of staple pockets are arranged in rows;
• (b) a cartridge having a first distal cartridge end, a second proximal cartridge end, and a cartridge face defining a cartridge blade channel, the cartridge being configured to retain a plurality of staples, wherein each of the plurality of staples comprises a first staple leg, a second staple leg, and a crown connecting the first staple leg and the second staple leg, each of the plurality of staples comprising:
• (i) an open staple configuration wherein the first staple leg and the second staple leg are generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the crown;
• and
• (ii) a closed staple configuration wherein the first staple leg is offset at a first leg angle in a first direction from the crown and the second staple leg is offset at a second leg angle in a second direction from the crown, wherein the first direction and the second direction are different;
• (c) a blade, the blade having a cutting edge, wherein the blade is movable in the anvil blade channel, and
• wherein the anvil and cartridge are movable from an open position to a closed position, wherein the first distal anvil end is pivotally coupled with the first distal cartridge end and the second proximal anvil end is coupled with the second proximal cartridge end in the open position and the closed position through a rigid link having a first end, a second end, and a ramp surface, wherein the first end of the rigid link is movably connected to the anvil, and the second end of the rigid link is movably connected to the cartridge, and wherein the blade is movable from a first distal position at the first distal anvil end to a second proximal position at the second proximal anvil end when the anvil and cartridge are in the closed position, and
• wherein the plurality of staple pockets each comprise a pocket shape configured to shape one of the plurality of staples to be in the closed staple configuration, and wherein the pocket shape of each of the plurality of staple pockets in adjacent rows vary.