Staple cartridges for forming staples having differing formed staple heights

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an anvil portion, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a crown comprised of a dissolvable material;
• a first deformable member;
• and
• a second deformable member, said crown connecting said first member and said second member when said crown is undissolved, said first member being unconnected to said second member after said crown has been dissolved;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body, said first staple driver defining a first staple support cradle therein for supporting said first staple thereon, said first staple support cradle located a first staple forming distance from a corresponding portion of the anvil;
• a second staple;
• and
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body, said second staple driver defining a second staple support cradle therein for supporting said second staple thereon, said second staple support cradle located a second staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said second staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance;
• and
• a third staple;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body, said third staple driver defining a third staple support cradle therein for supporting said third staple thereon, said third staple support cradle located a third staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said third staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance and said second staple forming distance.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first crown having a first bottom surface and a first tissue-contacting surface, wherein said first bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said first staple toward the anvil, and wherein said first bottom surface and said first tissue-contacting surface define a first distance therebetween;
• and
• a first deformable member extending from said first crown;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second crown having a second bottom surface and a second tissue-contacting surface, wherein said second bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said second staple toward the anvil, wherein said second bottom surface and said second tissue-contacting surface define a second distance therebetween, and wherein said first distance differs from said second distance;
• and
• a second deformable member extending from said second crown;
• and
• a third staple, comprising:
• a third crown having a third bottom surface and a third tissue-contacting surface, wherein said third bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said third staple toward the anvil, wherein said third bottom surface and said third tissue-contacting surface define a third distance therebetween, and wherein said third distance differs from said first distance and said second distance;
• and
• a third deformable member extending from said third crown,
• wherein said first crown of said first staple and said second crown of said second staple and said third crown of said third staple are comprised of a bio-absorbable material.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a crown comprised of a dissolvable material;
• a first deformable member;
• and
• a second deformable member, said crown connecting said first member and said second member when said crown is undissolved, said first member being unconnected to said second member after said crown has been dissolved;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said first staple driver defining a first staple support cradle therein for supporting said first staple thereon, said first staple support cradle located a first staple forming distance from a corresponding portion of the closed anvil;
• a second staple;
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said second staple driver defining a second staple support cradle therein for supporting said second staple thereon, said second staple support cradle located a second staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said second staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance;
• a third staple;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said third staple driver defining a third staple support cradle therein for supporting said third staple thereon, said third staple support cradle located a third staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said third staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance and said second forming distance.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first crown having a first tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a first deformable member extending from said first crown, wherein said first deformable member includes a first cross-sectional width, wherein said first tissue-contacting surface is wider than said first deformable member cross-sectional width, and wherein said first crown is dissolvable and separable from said first deformable member;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said first staple driver defining a first staple support cradle therein for supporting said first staple thereon, said first staple support cradle located a first staple forming distance from a corresponding portion of the closed anvil;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second crown having a second tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a second deformable member extending from said second crown, wherein said second deformable member includes a second cross-sectional width, wherein said second tissue-contacting surface is wider than said second deformable member cross-sectional width, and wherein said second crown is dissolvable and separable from said second deformable member;
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the closed anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said second staple driver defining a second staple support cradle therein for supporting said second staple thereon, said second staple support cradle located a second staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said second staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance;
• a third staple, comprising:
• a third crown having a third tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a third deformable member extending from said third crown, wherein said third deformable member includes a third cross-sectional width, wherein said third tissue-contacting surface is wider than said third deformable member cross-sectional width, and wherein said third crown is dissolvable and separable from said third deformable member;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the closed anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said third staple driver defining a third staple support cradle therein for supporting said third staple thereon, said third staple support cradle located a third staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said third staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance and said second forming distance.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first base;
• a first deformable member extending from said first base;
• and
• a first crown, wherein said first base and said first deformable member are slidable relative to said first crown, and wherein said first crown is dissolvable and separable from said first deformable member and said first base;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said first staple driver defining a first staple support cradle therein for supporting said first staple thereon, said first staple support cradle located a first staple forming distance from a corresponding portion of the closed anvil;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second base;
• a second deformable member extending from said second base;
• and
• a second crown, wherein said second base and said second deformable member are slidable relative to said second crown, and wherein said second crown is dissolvable and separable from said second deformable member and said second base;
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said second staple driver defining a second staple support cradle therein for supporting said second staple thereon, said second staple support cradle located a second staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said second staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance;
• a third staple, comprising:
• a third base;
• a third deformable member extending from said third base;
• and
• a third crown, wherein said third base and said third deformable member are slidable relative to said third crown, and wherein said third crown is dissolvable and separable from said third deformable member and said third base;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position, said third staple driver defining a third staple support cradle therein for supporting said third staple thereon, said third staple support cradle located a second staple forming distance from another portion of the closed anvil, wherein said third staple forming distance differs from said first staple forming distance and said second staple forming distance.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a crown comprised of a dissolvable material;
• a first deformable member having a first length;
• and
• a second deformable member, said crown connecting said first member and said second member when said crown is undissolved, said first member being unconnected to said second member after said crown has been dissolved;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver and said first staple are driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a first deformable member having a second length, wherein said second length is different than said first length;
• and
• a second deformable member;
• and
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a third staple, comprising:
• a first deformable member having a third length, wherein said third length is different than said second length and said first length;
• and
• a second deformable member;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first crown having a first tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a first deformable member having a first length, wherein said first deformable member includes a first cross-sectional width, and wherein said first tissue-contacting surface is wider than said first deformable member cross-sectional width, wherein said first crown is dissolvable and separable from said first deformable member;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver and said first staple are driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a second staple comprising a second deformable member having a second length, wherein said first length differs from said second length, said second staple further comprising a second crown having a second tissue-contacting surface, wherein said second deformable member includes a second cross-sectional width, wherein said second tissue-contacting surface is wider than said second deformable member cross-sectional width, and wherein said second crown is dissolvable and separable from said second deformable member;
• and
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a third staple comprising a third deformable member having a third length, wherein said third length differs from said first length and said second length, said third staple further comprising a third crown having a second tissue-contacting surface, wherein said third deformable member includes a third cross-sectional width, wherein said third tissue-contacting surface is wider than said third deformable member cross-sectional width, and wherein said third crown is dissolvable and separable from said third deformable member;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a crown having a tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a deformable member having a first length, wherein said deformable member includes a cross-sectional width, and wherein said tissue-contacting surface is wider than said deformable member cross-sectional width;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver and said first staple are driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a second staple comprising a deformable member having a second length, wherein said first length differs from said second length;
• and
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• and
• a third staple comprising a deformable member having a third length, wherein said third length differs from said first length and said second length;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position,
• wherein said first staple further comprises a second deformable member, wherein said crown is comprised of a dissolvable material, and wherein said crown is configured to connect said deformable members of said first staple when said crown is undissolved, said deformable members of said first staple being disconnected after said crown has been dissolved.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first base;
• a first deformable member having a first length;
• and
• a first crown, wherein said first base and said first deformable member are slidable relative to said first crown, and wherein said first crown is dissolvable and separable from said first deformable member and said first base;
• a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver and said first staple are driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a second staple comprising a second deformable member having a second length, wherein said first length differs from said second length, and wherein said second staple further comprises:
• a second base;
• and
• a second crown, wherein said second base and said second deformable member are slidable relative to said second crown, and wherein said second crown is dissolvable and separable from said second deformable member and said second base;
• and
• a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position;
• a third staple comprising a third deformable member having a third length, wherein said third length differs from said first length and said second length, and wherein said third staple further comprises:
• a third base;
• and
• a third crown, wherein said third base and said third deformable member are slidable relative to said third crown, and wherein said third crown is dissolvable and separable from said third deformable member and said third base;
• and
• a third staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the actuator such that, as the actuator is advanced through said cartridge body, said third staple driver is driven toward the anvil when the anvil is in the closed position.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position, said cartridge body configured to receive the actuator therein;
• a first staple, comprising:
• a first crown having a first bottom surface and a first tissue-contacting surface, wherein said first bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said first staple toward the anvil, and wherein said first bottom surface and said first tissue-contacting surface define a first distance therebetween;
• and
• a first deformable member extending from said first crown, wherein said first crown is dissolvable and separable from said first deformable member;
• a second staple, comprising:
• a second crown having a second bottom surface and a second tissue-contacting surface, wherein said second bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said second staple toward the anvil, wherein said second bottom surface and said second tissue-contacting surface define a second distance therebetween, and wherein said first distance differs from said second distance;
• and
• a second deformable member extending from said second crown, wherein said second crown is dissolvable and separable from said second deformable member;
• and
• a third staple, comprising:
• a third crown having a third bottom surface and a third tissue-contacting surface, wherein said third bottom surface is configured to receive a force thereto to move said third staple toward the anvil, wherein said third bottom surface and said third tissue-contacting surface define a third distance therebetween, and wherein said third distance differs from said first distance and second distance;
• and
• a third deformable member extending from said third crown, wherein said third crown is dissolvable and separable from said third deformable member.

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device, said staple cartridge comprising:

• a cartridge body;
• a row of first staples supported within said cartridge body, wherein each said first staple comprises:
• a first crown having a first tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a first deformable member extending from said first crown, wherein said first deformable member includes a cross-sectional width, and wherein said first tissue-contacting surface is wider than said first deformable member cross-sectional width;
• first deforming means for deforming said first staples to a height within a first height range;
• a row of second staples supported within said cartridge body, wherein each said second staple comprises:
• a second crown having a second tissue-contacting surface;
• and
• a second deformable member extending from said second crown, wherein said second deformable member includes a cross-sectional width, and wherein said second tissue-contacting surface is wider than said second deformable member cross-sectional width;
• and
• second deforming means for deforming said second staples to a height within a second height range, wherein said first height range is different than said second height range;
• and
• a row of third staples supported within the staple cartridge, wherein each said third staple comprises:
• a third crown having a third tissue-contacting surface;
• a third deformable member extending from said third crown, wherein said third deformable member includes a cross-sectional width, and wherein said third tissue-contacting surface is wider than said third deformable member cross-sectional width;
• and
• third deforming means for deforming said third staples to a height within a third height range, wherein said third height range is different than said first height range and said second height range.