US 12,004,741 B2
Staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Lauren S. Weaner, West Chester, OH (US); Jerome R. Morgan, Cincinnati, OH (US); Michael J. Vendely, Lebanon, OH (US); Taylor W. Aronhalt, Loveland, OH (US); Chester O. Baxter, III, Loveland, OH (US); and Mark S. Zeiner, Mason, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/532,360.
Application 17/532,360 is a continuation of application No. 17/361,806, filed on Jun. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,701,114, issued on Jul. 18, 2023.
Application 17/361,806 is a continuation of application No. 16/441,564, filed on Jun. 14, 2019, granted, now 11,185,325, issued on Nov. 30, 2021.
Application 16/441,564 is a continuation of application No. 16/105,387, filed on Aug. 20, 2018, granted, now 10,905,418, issued on Feb. 2, 2021.
Application 16/105,387 is a continuation of application No. 14/587,192, filed on Dec. 31, 2014, granted, now 10,052,104, issued on Aug. 21, 2018.
Application 14/587,192 is a continuation of application No. 14/516,277, filed on Oct. 16, 2014, granted, now 9,924,944, issued on Mar. 27, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0151611 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01)
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
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.