Surgical stapling instruments having a releasable staple-forming pocket

Abstract

An anvil of a surgical stapler including releasable pocket elements that can capture ends of fired staples. In various embodiments, the pocket elements can be released from the anvil such that the pocket elements remain with the staples and stapled tissue after the stapler has been fired. When deployed, the ends of the staples may be turned, or bent, by the pocket elements and then contact a staple-end retaining surface of the pocket element that prevents the ends of the staples from re-puncturing or re-penetrating the tissue. In various embodiments, forces created during the stapling and/or cutting actions of the stapler can overcome a pressure-fit force retaining the pocket elements in the anvil such that the pocket elements are released upon firing. In various embodiments, the staples can have a dissolvable or bioabsorbable crown which can release pressure on the stapled tissue as it is dissolved or absorbed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.