US 11,696,759 B2
Surgical stapling instruments comprising shortened staple cartridge noses
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Jason L. Harris, Lebanon, OH (US); and Morgan R. Hunter, Cincinnati, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jun. 28, 2017, as Appl. No. 15/635,981.
Prior Publication US 2019/0000475 A1, Jan. 3, 2019
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/07207 (2013.01) [A61B 17/29 (2013.01); A61B 18/1442 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0046 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00389 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00393 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00407 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00464 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00473 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00862 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07221 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07228 (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 2017/07285 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2902 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2903 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2925 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2927 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2929 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2932 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2933 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2939 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2943 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2946 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0801 (2016.02)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal cartridge end;
a longitudinal axis extending between said proximal end and said distal cartridge end;
a cartridge body, comprising:
a staple cavity zone, comprising:
a top deck surface that directly supports tissue during a firing stroke; and
a first bottom surface opposite said top deck surface; and
a blunt nose at said distal cartridge end, wherein said blunt nose comprises a second bottom surface, wherein said blunt nose extends below said first bottom surface, wherein said blunt nose has a nose height and a nose length, wherein said nose length is measured along said longitudinal axis, wherein said nose height is measured transversely to said longitudinal axis, wherein said nose height is measured from said second bottom surface to said top deck surface, and wherein said nose height is greater than or equal to said nose length;
a plurality of staple cavities defined within said cartridge body, wherein said plurality of staple cavities extends longitudinally from said proximal end toward said distal cartridge end, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are located within said staple cavity zone;
a plurality of staples removably stored within said plurality of staple cavities, wherein said nose length is measured from a distal end of said top deck surface to a tip at said distal cartridge end;
a driver configured to support at least one of said plurality of staples; and
a sled movable toward said distal cartridge end during said firing stroke, wherein said sled comprises:
a first ramp; and
a second ramp, wherein said first ramp is laterally offset from said second ramp, wherein said first ramp and said second ramp are configured to lift said driver, and wherein said blunt nose of said cartridge body comprises a first recess formed within said distal cartridge end configured to receive said first ramp of said sled after the completion of said firing stroke and a second recess formed within said distal cartridge end configured to receive said second ramp of said sled after said firing stroke has been completed.