Staple cartridge comprising wall structures to reduce cartridge deflection

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a deck configured to support patient tissue, wherein the deck comprises a proximal end and a distal end;
• a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck;
• a longitudinal slot defined in the deck, wherein the longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end, wherein the longitudinal slot defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot is defined by an inner wall, wherein the staple cavities are arranged in longitudinal rows on opposite sides of the longitudinal slot, and wherein the longitudinal slot is configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver during a firing stroke;
• and
• an outer wall extending longitudinally between the proximal end and the distal end;
• and
• a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities;
• and
• a ramp movable longitudinally through the cartridge body from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position by the firing driver to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke;
• wherein a portion of the sled is positioned under the inner wall at a cross section taken at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the inner wall comprises a first average lateral pillar width and a first pillar height in the plane, wherein the outer wall comprises a second average lateral pillar width and a second pillar height in the plane, and wherein the first average lateral pillar width is wider than the second average lateral pillar width.

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

• a cartridge body, comprising:
• a tissue-supporting surface configured to support patient tissue, wherein the tissue-supporting surface comprises a proximal end and a distal end;
• a plurality of staple cavities defined in the tissue-supporting surface;
• an inner lateral cartridge wall;
• an outer lateral cartridge wall;
• and
• a longitudinal slot defined in the tissue-supporting surface, wherein the longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end, wherein the longitudinal slot defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal slot is defined by the inner lateral cartridge wall, wherein the staple cavities are arranged in longitudinal rows on opposite sides of the longitudinal slot, and wherein the longitudinal slot is configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver during a firing stroke;
• a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cavities;
• and
• a sled movable longitudinally through the cartridge body from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position by the firing driver to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke;
• wherein the inner lateral cartridge wall comprises a first average width at a cross section taken at a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the outer lateral cartridge wall comprises a second average width in the plane, and wherein the first average width is greater than the second average width.