US 11,883,026 B2
Fastener cartridge assemblies and staple retainer cover arrangements
Thomas W. Huitema, West Chester, OH (US); Michael E. Setser, Burlington, KY (US); and Geoffrey C Hueil, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/532,390.
Application 17/532,390 is a continuation of application No. 14/319,013, filed on Jun. 30, 2014, granted, now 11,185,330.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/980,282, filed on Apr. 16, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2022/0079596 A1, Mar. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); G06F 11/14 (2006.01); A61B 90/30 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/105 (2013.01) [A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0644 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/07292 (2013.01); A61B 90/03 (2016.02); G06F 11/1425 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00057 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07235 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07242 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07264 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2090/034 (2016.02); A61B 2090/038 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0801 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0811 (2016.02); A61B 2090/306 (2016.02); A61B 2090/309 (2016.02)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical end effector, comprising:
an elongate channel, including:
a first upstanding wall;
a second upstanding wall;
a lateral wall intermediate the first upstanding wall and the second upstanding wall, wherein the first upstanding wall, the second upstanding wall, and the lateral wall define a U-shaped opening; and
a bottom including a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the U-shaped opening of the elongate channel is configured to operably support at least a portion of a staple cartridge therein;
a firing element configured to translate between a first position adjacent the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel and an ending position adjacent the distal end of the bottom of the elongate channel during a firing stroke, the firing element including a vertical portion and at least one laterally extending lower foot;
an internal passage extending within the elongate channel and configured to receive the at least one laterally extending lower foot during at least a portion of the firing stroke, wherein the internal passage extends underneath the lateral wall, wherein the bottom extends underneath the internal passage, and wherein the bottom extends underneath the at least one laterally extending lower foot during at least a portion of the firing stroke;
a proximal channel opening defined through the proximal end of the bottom of the elongate channel to facilitate viewing of the firing element therethrough when the firing element is in the first position, the proximal channel opening sized to receive therein the at least one laterally extending lower foot of the firing element, wherein the internal passage extends from the proximal channel opening to the distal end; and
a lead surface that guides the at least one laterally extending lower foot into the internal passage.