US 11,944,306 B2
Surgical stapler including a replaceable staple cartridge
Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US); and James J. Bedi, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Sep. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/473,052.
Application 13/152,507 is a division of application No. 12/234,133, filed on Sep. 19, 2008, granted, now 7,954,686, issued on Jun. 7, 2011.
Application 17/473,052 is a continuation of application No. 16/284,311, filed on Feb. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,123,071.
Application 16/284,311 is a continuation of application No. 15/059,515, filed on Mar. 3, 2016, granted, now 10,258,336, issued on Apr. 16, 2019.
Application 15/059,515 is a continuation of application No. 13/476,265, filed on May 21, 2012, granted, now 9,289,210, issued on Mar. 22, 2016.
Application 13/476,265 is a continuation of application No. 13/152,507, filed on Jun. 3, 2011, granted, now 8,205,781, issued on Jun. 26, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0061844 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/105 (2013.01) [A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00446 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07242 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0725 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 17/2909 (2013.01); A61B 17/32 (2013.01); A61B 2090/037 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0801 (2016.02); A61B 2090/08021 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0813 (2016.02); A61B 2090/0814 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical stapler, comprising:
a replaceable staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end;
a deck configured to support patient tissue;
a bottom portion opposite said deck;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in said deck, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows; and
a projection extending laterally outward from an outer side of said cartridge body;
a plurality of staples movably stored within said plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staple drivers configured to eject said plurality of staples from said plurality of staple cavities;
a cartridge pan attached to said cartridge body, wherein said cartridge pan extends around said outer side of said cartridge body and under said bottom portion, wherein said cartridge pan comprises an aperture defined in a lateral side of said cartridge pan, and wherein said projection extends through said aperture;
a sled assembly positioned in said proximal end of said cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein said sled assembly comprises a knife; and
laterally-opposing guard walls on each side of said longitudinal slot, wherein each guard wall extends upwardly from said deck at said proximal end of said cartridge body;
a staple cartridge attachment portion configured to receive said staple cartridge; and
an anvil assembly comprising an anvil frame.