US 12,011,165 B2
Surgical stapling instrument comprising replaceable staple cartridge
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); and Michael E. Setser, Burlington, KY (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Apr. 15, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/384,054.
Application 16/384,054 is a continuation of application No. 15/679,300, filed on Aug. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,292,707.
Application 15/679,300 is a continuation of application No. 14/850,030, filed on Sep. 10, 2015, granted, now 9,737,303, issued on Aug. 22, 2017.
Application 14/850,030 is a continuation of application No. 14/521,748, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, granted, now 9,510,830, issued on Dec. 6, 2016.
Application 14/521,748 is a continuation of application No. 14/175,148, filed on Feb. 7, 2014, granted, now 9,282,966, issued on Mar. 15, 2016.
Application 14/175,148 is a continuation in part of application No. 13/369,601, filed on Feb. 9, 2012, granted, now 8,783,541, issued on Jul. 22, 2014.
Application 13/369,601 is a continuation of application No. 13/118,246, filed on May 27, 2011, granted, now 9,060,770, issued on Jun. 23, 2015.
Application 13/118,246 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/538,154, filed on Oct. 3, 2006, abandoned.
Application 14/175,148 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/141,753, filed on Jun. 1, 2005, granted, now 8,905,977, issued on Dec. 9, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/591,694, filed on Jul. 28, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2019/0307454 A1, Oct. 10, 2019
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/064 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 50/20 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/37 (2016.01); A61B 50/36 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/064 (2013.01); A61B 17/068 (2013.01); A61B 17/0682 (2013.01); A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 17/320092 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 50/20 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0688 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07257 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07271 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07278 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2923 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320052 (2013.01); A61B 2017/320093 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320094 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320095 (2017.08); A61B 2017/320097 (2017.08); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 2034/302 (2016.02); A61B 34/37 (2016.02); A61B 50/36 (2016.02)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil; and
a cartridge jaw comprising a channel;
a staple cartridge replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said staple cartridge comprises:
a proximal end;
a distal end comprised an enclosed tip;
a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end;
a first longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said longitudinal slot;
a second longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a third longitudinal row of staple cavities extending alongside said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
staples removably positioned in said staple cavities;
a first staple driver configured to support one said staple from said first longitudinal row of staple cavities and one said staple from said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;
a second staple driver configured to support one said staple from said third longitudinal row of staple cavities; and
a sled movable as a part of said staple cartridge as said staple cartridge is replaceably seated in said channel, wherein said sled is movable from a proximal position to a distal position during a staple firing stroke, and wherein said sled comprises:
a first camming surface configured to drive said first staple driver toward said anvil during said staple firing stroke;
a second camming surface configured to drive said second staple driver toward said anvil during said staple firing stroke, wherein said second camming surface extends distally beyond said first camming surface, and wherein said sled is in said enclosed tip of said staple cartridge after said staple firing stroke; and
a ramped surface movable through said longitudinal slot.