Surgical stapler with tissue engagement features around tissue containment pin

A cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, the cartridge comprising:

• (a) a curved body;
• (b) a deck defined by the curved body, wherein the deck is configured to clamp tissue against an anvil;
• (c) a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck, wherein the staple openings are configured to house a plurality of staples;
• (d) an arcuate slot formed in the deck, wherein the arcuate slot is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough;
• (e) a plurality of stand-off members arranged on the deck along a length of the arcuate slot, wherein each stand-off member opens to at least one of the staple openings, wherein the stand-off members have a first maximum height relative to the deck;
• and
• (f) a raised feature arranged on the deck at a location between the stand-off members and the arcuate slot, wherein the raised feature has a second maximum height relative to the deck that is less than the first maximum height,
• wherein the deck has a first deck end and an opposed second deck end, wherein the arcuate slot extends longitudinally between the first and second deck ends, wherein the raised feature comprises an elongate ridge that extends along the arcuate slot.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body;
• and
• (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises:
• (i) a support structure,
• (ii) an anvil fixed relative to the support structure, wherein the anvil includes a plurality of staple-forming pockets, and
• (iii) a cartridge housing, wherein the cartridge housing is movable relative to the support structure to clamp tissue against the anvil, wherein the cartridge housing comprises:
• (A) a curved body,
• (B) a deck defined by the curved body,
• (C) a plurality of staple openings formed in the deck, wherein the staple openings are configured to house a plurality of staples,
• (D) an arcuate slot formed in the deck, wherein the arcuate slot is configured to slidably receive a cutting member therethrough,
• (E) a plurality of stand-off members arranged on the deck along a length of the arcuate slot, wherein each stand-off member opens to at least one of the staple openings and has a first maximum height relative to the deck,
• (F) a pair of elongate ridges that extend along the arcuate slot and define a second maximum height relative to the deck that is different than the first maximum height, and
• (G) a protrusion arranged at a longitudinal end of the arcuate slot, wherein the protrusion defines a third maximum height relative to the deck that is greater than each of the first and second maximum heights.