# US 2014/0191014 A1 · Stapling assembly for forming different formed staple heights

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- Number: US 2014/0191014 A1
- Document ID: US20140191014A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/206,700
- Filed: 2014-03-12
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2007-02-28
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191014A1

## CPC

- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- A61B 34/70: {Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery}
- A61B 34/71: {Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms}
- B25C 5/0292: {with the objects to be stapled together introduced perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tool in an opening formed by an anvil and a plunger}
- A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position}
- A61B 17/32053: {Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife (A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695)}
- A61B 50/30: Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments (for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40)
- A61B 50/36: for collecting or disposing of used articles
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display}
- A61B 2017/0023: {disposable}
- A61B 2017/00327: {with actuating members moving in opposite directions}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00685: {Archimedes screw}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/0688: {Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers}
- A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials}
- A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes}
- A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder}
- A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion}
- A61B 2017/2943: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion}
- A61B 2017/320052: {Guides for cutting instruments}
- A61B 2017/320069: {for ablating tissue}
- A61B 2017/320071: {with articulating means for working tip}
- A61B 2017/320093: {additional movable means performing cutting operation}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means}
- A61B 2017/320097: {with stapling means}
- A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument}
- F04C 2270/041: Controlled or regulated
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B25C: HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS (for shoemaking A43D)
- F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

## Abstract

A surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a firing system configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The firing system can include a firing member configured to relatively position the anvil and the staple cartridge.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-24. (canceled)

### Claim 25

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said first staple comprises:
a first base comprising a first bottom surface;
a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;
a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises:
a second base comprising a second bottom surface;
a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip;
an anvil configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;
a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil; and
a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first surface;
a second surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second surface; and
a wall defined between said first surface and said second surface.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first surface; and
a second surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second surface, and wherein said first surface is positioned vertically above said second surface.

### Claim 29 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said anvil comprises:
a first surface comprising a first longitudinal row of first forming pockets, wherein said first staple cavities can be aligned with said first forming pockets;
a second surface comprising a second longitudinal row of second forming pockets, wherein said second staple cavities can be aligned with said second forming pockets; and
a wall extending between said first surface and said second surface.

### Claim 30 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said cartridge further comprises a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

### Claim 31 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said plurality of drivers comprises a first longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said first staples and a second longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said second staples, wherein said drivers are movable between an unlifted position and a lifted position, and wherein one of said first longitudinal row of staple supports and said second longitudinal row of staple supports is positioned closer to said anvil when said drivers are in said unlifted position.

### Claim 32 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

### Claim 33 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

### Claim 34

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a first staple removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said first staple comprises:
a first base comprising a first bottom surface;
a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;
a second staple removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said second staple comprises:
a second base comprising a second bottom surface;
a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip;
an anvil configured to deform said first staple to a first deformed height and said second staple to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height comprises the overall height of the first staple in its fully deformed configuration, wherein said second deformed height comprises the height of the second staple in its fully deformed configuration;
a staple driver system configured to lift said first staple and said second staple toward said anvil; and
a firing member configured to lift said staple driver system toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height.

### Claim 36 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first surface;
a second surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second surface; and
a wall defined between said first surface and said second surface.

### Claim 37 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first surface; and
a second surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second surface, and wherein said first surface is positioned vertically above said second surface.

### Claim 38 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said anvil comprises:
a first surface comprising a first longitudinal row of first forming pockets, wherein said first staple cavities can be aligned with said first forming pockets;
a second surface comprising a second longitudinal row of second forming pockets, wherein said second staple cavities can be aligned with said second forming pockets; and
a wall extending between said first surface and said second surface.

### Claim 39 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said cartridge further comprises a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

### Claim 40 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

### Claim 41 (depends on 34)

The end effector of claim 34, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

### Claim 42

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises:
a first surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first surface;
a second surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second surface; and
a wall defined between said first surface and said second surface;
a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said first staple comprises:
a first base comprising a first bottom surface;
a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;
a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises:
a second base comprising a second bottom surface;
a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and
a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height;
an anvil configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;
a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil; and
a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.