US 12,029,423 B2
Surgical stapling instrument comprising a 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. 16/384,084.
Application 16/384,084 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 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 2019/0298362 A1, Oct. 3, 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)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A staple cartridge assembly for seating in a channel of a surgical stapling end effector, wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a base;
a deck;
a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end;
staple cavities defined in said cartridge body, wherein said staple cavities extend through said deck and said base;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and
staple drivers configured to support said staples;
a firing member movable toward said distal end during a staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said deck during said staple firing stroke; and
a pan attached to said cartridge body configured to prevent said staples from falling out of said base of said cartridge body, wherein said pan comprises:
a first lateral pan side attached to said cartridge body;
a second lateral pan side attached to said cartridge body;
a first pan bottom portion extending under a portion of said base from said first lateral pan side; and
a second pan bottom portion extending under a portion of said base from said second lateral pan side;
a pan slot aligned with said longitudinal slot of said cartridge body, wherein said pan slot comprises:
an open proximal pan slot end comprising a first width;
a closed distal pan slot end opposite said open proximal pan slot end; and
a longitudinal portion extending between said open proximal pan slot end and said closed distal pan slot end comprising a second width, wherein said first width is different than said second width.