CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 17/0684 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/07292 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07228 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01)] | 23 Claims |
1. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
a cartridge body defining a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a plurality of staple cavity rows, the cartridge body comprising:
a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the cartridge body;
a deck comprising an uneven deck topography comprising a repeating pattern of topographical structures, wherein the plurality of staple cavities forms an array of openings in the deck, wherein at least one topographical structure overlaps at least one opening in the deck and extends across at least two of the staple cavity rows;
a bottom surface opposite the deck;
a plurality of staples removably positioned in the staple cavities;
a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned in the staple cavities configured to lift the staples during a staple firing stroke; and
a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to the cartridge body, wherein the tissue thickness compensator comprises:
a deck-facing surface comprising an uneven compensator topography defined thereon, and wherein the uneven compensator topography complements the uneven deck topography to facilitate alignment of the tissue thickness compensator with respect to the deck.
|