# US 2014/0191015 A1 · Stapling assembly for forming different formed staple heights

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- Number: US 2014/0191015 A1
- Document ID: US20140191015A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/206,713
- Filed: 2014-03-12
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2005-08-31
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191015A1

## 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. The staple cartridge can include a first deck portion, a second deco portion, and a wall defined between the first deck portion and the second deck portion.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-24. (canceled)

### Claim 25

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and 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, wherein said deck is configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises:
a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;
a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface; and
a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface;
a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a second jaw comprising 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 movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, 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 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 27 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, and wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member.

### Claim 28 (depends on 25)

The end effector of claim 25, 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 29 (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 30 (depends on 25)

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

### Claim 31 (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 32

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and 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, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;
a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a second jaw comprising 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 movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, wherein said deck comprises:
a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;
a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface; and
a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface;

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, and wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member.

### Claim 35 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, 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 36 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, 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 37 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

### Claim 38 (depends on 32)

The end effector of claim 32, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

### Claim 39

An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and 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, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;
a first staple removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a second staple removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a second jaw comprising 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;
a staple driver system, wherein said staple driver system is configured to lift said first staple and said second staple toward said anvil; and
a firing member, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple driver system toward said anvil as said firing member moves in a longitudinal direction toward said distal end, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, 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 39)

The end effector of claim 39, wherein said deck comprises:
a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;
a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface; and
a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface;

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The end effector of claim 39, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, and wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member.

### Claim 42 (depends on 39)

The end effector of claim 39, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

### Claim 43 (depends on 39)

The end effector of claim 39, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said staple driver system toward said anvil.