| CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/064 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0644 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0645 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07228 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07235 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01)] | 26 Claims |
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1. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
a shaft;
an end effector extending distally from said shaft, wherein said end effector is movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said end effector comprises a cartridge jaw including an elongate channel, and wherein said end effector comprises an anvil comprising a longitudinal row of forming pockets;
a firing member configured to translate distally during a firing stroke; and
a plurality of dissimilar staple cartridge assemblies interchangeably positionable in said elongate channel and attachable to said end effector, wherein said plurality of dissimilar staple cartridge assemblies comprises:
a first replaceable staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
a first cartridge body comprising a first deck and a first bottom portion positioned opposite said first deck, wherein said first deck is configured to support patient tissue;
a longitudinal row of first staples removably stored in said first cartridge body, wherein said longitudinal row of first staples is aligned with said longitudinal row of forming pockets of said anvil when said first replaceable staple cartridge assembly is attached to said end effector and said end effector is in the closed configuration;
a plurality of drivers configured to push said first staples out of said first cartridge body during the firing stroke, wherein each said driver comprises a staple-engaging cradle, and wherein said first staples are separable from said staple-engaging cradles; and
a first retainer attached to said first cartridge body, wherein said first retainer extends under a portion of said first bottom portion and prevents said first staples and said drivers from falling out of said first cartridge body through said first bottom portion; and
a second replaceable staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
a second cartridge body comprising:
a second deck comprising a tissue-facing surface configured to support patient tissue;
a second bottom portion opposite said second deck; and
projections extending from said second deck; and
a longitudinal row of second staples removably stored in said second cartridge body, wherein said second staples are different than said first staples, wherein said longitudinal row of second staples is aligned with said longitudinal row of forming pockets of said anvil when said second replaceable staple cartridge assembly is attached to said end effector and said end effector is in the closed configuration, wherein each said second staple comprises a first leg, a second leg, and an inseparable driver portion connecting said first leg to said second leg, wherein said inseparable driver portion comprises a ramped cam surface drivingly engaged during the firing stroke to push a portion of said inseparable driver portion upwardly past said projections and out of said second cartridge body; and
a second retainer attached to said second cartridge body, wherein said second retainer extends under a portion of said second bottom portion and prevents said second staples from falling out of said second cartridge body through said second bottom portion.
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