Staple cartridge assembly for an anastomosis device and anastomosis device

Abstract

The present application provides a staple cartridge assembly for an anastomosis instrument, the anastomosis instrument comprising a staple butt, the staple cartridge assembly comprising: a support configured to detachably mount and hold the staple cartridge assembly in the staple butt of the anastomosis instrument; a staple cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, and the staple cavities accommodate a plurality of anastomosis staples; an anastomosis staple ejecting mechanism configured to push the anastomosis staples out of the staple cavities, and a staple cartridge protection cover detachably mounted on the staple cartridge body. The staple cartridge protection cover comprises a protrusion and a receiving hole. The receiving hole is shaped and sized to be mounted on the staple butt when the staple butt passes through the receiving hole. And when the staple cartridge protection cover is mounted on the staple butt, the protrusion faces the staple cartridge body, so that the proximal end of the staple cartridge body abuts against the protrusion. The present application also provides an anastomosis instrument comprising the above-mentioned staple cartridge assembly.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to surgical instruments, and more particularly, to a staple cartridge assembly for a stapling instrument and a stapling instrument comprising such a staple cartridge assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] A stapling instrument is a surgical instrument that can be used to replace traditional hand-sewing devices, with the advantages of fast sewing, easy operation, and few side effects and surgical complications. The working principle of a stapling instrument is similar to that of a stapler, mainly using titanium staples (also known as anastomotic staples) to cut or anastomose tissues. A stapling instrument generally comprises a handle portion, an extension tube, and an end effector. The end effector comprises an anvil seat and a staple cartridge seat, in which a staple cartridge assembly is accommodated and held. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a staple cartridge body, in which a plurality of staple cavities are provided for receiving anastomotic staples.

[0003] Anastomotic staples are consumables, and in order to reduce the medical burden of patients, many manufacturers have developed and launched detachable staple cartridge assemblies at home and abroad. For a detachable staple cartridge assembly, after each cutting and anastomosis operation of the stapling instrument is completed, the anastomotic staples are pushed out of the staple cavities, at which time a new staple cartridge assembly needs to be replaced in order to perform the next cutting and anastomosis operation. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application proposes a staple cartridge assembly and a stapling instrument comprising such a staple cartridge assembly.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present application, a staple cartridge assembly for a stapling instrument is proposed, the stapling instrument comprising an anvil seat, the staple cartridge assembly comprising: a support configured to detachably mount and hold the staple cartridge assembly in the anvil seat of the stapling instrument; a staple cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, and the staple cavities accommodating a plurality of anastomotic staples; an anastomotic staple push-out mechanism configured to push the anastomotic staples out of the staple cavities, and a staple cartridge protection cover detachably mounted on the staple cartridge body. The staple cartridge protection cover comprises a protruding portion and a receiving hole. The receiving hole is shaped and sized to mount the staple cartridge protection cover on the anvil seat when the anvil seat passes through the receiving hole. And when the staple cartridge protection cover is mounted on the anvil seat, the protruding portion faces the staple cartridge body, so that the proximal end of the staple cartridge body abuts against the protruding portion.

[0006] In the staple cartridge assembly according to the present application, the original staple cartridge protection cover of the staple cartridge assembly is used as a dismounting tool, without the need to provide an additional dismounting tool. By providing the receiving hole on the staple cartridge protection cover, the staple cartridge protection cover is mounted on the anvil seat, and by providing the protruding portion on the staple cartridge protection cover, the proximal end of the staple cartridge assembly can abut against the protruding portion, which increases the effective force arm during the dismounting operation, so that the user can dismount the staple cartridge assembly from the staple cartridge seat with smaller force, greatly facilitating the dismounting operation.

[0007] In some embodiments, the cartridge protection cover can include a cover body, a protrusion disposed on a top side of the cover body, and the cartridge protection cover can further include a positioning ridge disposed on a bottom side of the cover body, and a receiving hole disposed in the positioning ridge. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the protrusion and the receiving hole can be disposed on opposite sides of the cover body, respectively.

[0008] In some embodiments, the receiving hole of the cartridge protection cover can be correspondingly located on opposite sides of the protrusion. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the receiving hole can be correspondingly disposed on opposite sides of the protrusion to further facilitate the disassembly operation.

[0009] In some embodiments, the receiving hole and the protrusion of the cartridge protection cover can be located in the middle of the cartridge protection cover. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the receiving hole and the protrusion of the cartridge protection cover can be located in the middle of the cartridge protection cover, so that the cartridge protection cover can be mounted on the anvil in either direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the cartridge body can include a positioning slot, and the positioning ridge of the cartridge protection cover can be detachably inserted into the positioning slot. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, by the cooperation between the base of the cartridge protection cover and the positioning slot of the cartridge body, the cartridge protection cover can be facilitated to be mounted on the cartridge body.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cartridge body can include a pusher slot on its upper surface, and the cartridge cavity can further accommodate an anastomosis staple driver, and an anastomosis staple is placed in the anastomosis staple driver. The anastomosis staple pushing mechanism can include a slider having an inclined surface. The slider is configured to slide in the pusher slot in a distal direction when the anastomosis instrument is operated for anastomosis operation, so that the inclined surface of the slider engages and pushes the anastomosis staple driver upward, thereby pushing the anastomosis staple out of the anastomosis staple driver. The positioning slot is the pusher slot. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the original pusher slot on the cartridge body is used as the positioning slot, so that an additional positioning slot does not need to be additionally opened on the narrow upper surface of the cartridge body, thereby saving space and cost.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cartridge protection cover can include at least one pair of first hooks symmetrically disposed with respect to a central axis of the cartridge protection cover, and the cartridge body can include a corresponding at least one pair of clamping grooves, and the first hooks of the cartridge protection cover and the clamping grooves of the cartridge body can be detachably cooperated when the cartridge protection cover is mounted on the cartridge body. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the first hooks can be provided on the cartridge protection cover, and the clamping grooves can be correspondingly provided on the cartridge body, so that when the cartridge protection cover is mounted on the cartridge body, the secure fixation between the two can be ensured.

[0013] In some embodiments, the cartridge protection cover can include at least one pair of second hooks symmetrically disposed with respect to a center axis of the cartridge protection cover, and the cartridge body can be detachably fixed between each pair of the second hooks when the cartridge protection cover is mounted on the cartridge body. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the second hooks can be provided on the cartridge protection cover, and the cartridge body can be detachably fixed between the second hooks, so that the cartridge protection cover can be prevented from moving with respect to the cartridge body when the cartridge protection cover is mounted on the cartridge body.

[0014] In some embodiments, the shape of the protrusion can include a cuboid, a boss, or a dome. In the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the shape of the protrusion of the cartridge protection cover can be correspondingly provided according to the shape of the proximal end of the cartridge body to facilitate the engagement therebetween.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided an anastomosis instrument including a handle portion, an end effector, and an extension tube extending between and connecting the handle portion and the end effector; wherein the end effector includes a cartridge seat, a anvil seat pivotably connected with the cartridge seat to pivot between an open position and a closed position, and a cartridge assembly according to the aforementioned embodiments of the present application mounted in the cartridge seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Embodiments of the present application are further illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an overall anastomosis instrument according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a cartridge assembly according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a cartridge protection cover and a cartridge body in a disassembled state according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a cartridge protection cover and a cartridge body in an assembled state according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic view of mounting a cartridge protection cover according to an exemplary embodiment on an anvil seat of an anastomosis instrument; and

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic view of disassembling a cartridge assembly using a cartridge protection cover according to an exemplary embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Further features, advantages, and effects of the present application will become more apparent and more thoroughly understood from the following further detailed description of embodiments of the present application, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. In the following description, spatial and directional terms, such as "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "vertical," and "horizontal," are used with reference to the embodiments of the present application as illustrated in the drawings, but it is understood that these terms are used only to facilitate describing the illustrated embodiments, and do not require the actual device to be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. In the following description, the use of terms such as "connected," "coupled," "fixed," and "attached" can mean that two elements or structures are directly connected or coupled together, or that two elements or structures are indirectly connected or coupled together through intervening elements or structures, unless expressly described otherwise herein. The use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," etc., is merely intended to distinguish between two or more elements or structures, and does not necessarily imply a sequence or priority of use, unless expressly described otherwise herein. As used herein, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are defined relative to a clinician who manipulates the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion of the component or structure that is closer to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion of the component or structure that is farther from the clinician.

[0024] For conventional stapling instruments, the cooperation between the cartridge assembly and the cartridge seat is a tight fit. This advantageously increases the strength of the joint between the cartridge assembly and the cartridge seat, but on the other hand, when the user needs to replace the cartridge assembly, a relatively large force is often required to disassemble the cartridge assembly, which causes inconvenience in use. In addition, when replacing the cartridge assembly, the user needs to apply a force to the distal end of the cartridge assembly (the end away from the user when using the stapling instrument, i.e., the portion of the cartridge assembly that protrudes outside the cartridge seat), and the length of the distal end is usually small, resulting in a small effective force arm, while the proximal end of the cartridge assembly (the end close to the user when using the stapling instrument) lacks a stable fulcrum, which makes the required disassembly force large. In addition, since the user performs surgery, the gloves often have patient's tissue fluid, blood, etc., which can cause difficulty in applying force and easy to slip, etc., which further increases the difficulty of disassembling the cartridge assembly. Therefore, a cartridge assembly that is easy to disassemble is needed to overcome the above problems of the prior art.

[0025] To this end, embodiments of the present application provide a new type of cartridge assembly. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the overall stapler 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 1As shown, the stapler 100 includes an end effector 10 for performing surgical operation directly on a patient, a handle portion 30 for a user to hold and operate the stapler, and an elongated extension tube 20 extending between and connecting the end effector 10 and the handle portion 30. The handle portion 30 generally includes a grip for the user to hold, buttons and triggers for operating the stapler, a battery assembly for powering the stapler, and necessary electrical and mechanical components disposed inside the handle portion 30, etc.

[0026] With continued reference to Figure 1 , the end effector 10 includes an anvil 1, a cartridge assembly 2, and a cartridge seat 3. The anvil 1 is connected with the cartridge seat 3, for example, by a pin, such that the anvil 1 can be pivoted about an axis of the pin between an open position and a closed position for performing surgical operation. In embodiments of the present application, the cartridge assembly 2 is detachably mounted in the cartridge seat 3, and after the staples in the cartridge assembly 2 are used up, the cartridge assembly 2 can be removed from the cartridge seat 3 and a new cartridge assembly can be installed in the cartridge seat 3 to continue the surgical operation. The structure of the cartridge assembly will be described in detail below.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the cartridge assembly 2 according to an exemplary embodiment. As Figure 2 shown, the cartridge assembly 2 includes a cartridge cover 21, staples 22, staple drivers 23, a sled 24, a cartridge body 25, and a support frame 26. Each component of the cartridge assembly 2 will be further described below.

[0028] The cartridge body 25 is shown in the middle of Figure 2 In this context, when the cartridge assembly 2 is installed in the cartridge seat 3, the cartridge body 25 is defined as an upper surface away from a surface of the cartridge seat 3, which is used to contact with tissue. A plurality of staple cavities 219 are arranged in a row on the upper surface. In each staple cavity 219, a staple 22 is contained, and additionally, a staple driver 23 can be included, in which the staple 22 is placed. The cartridge body 25 further includes a pusher groove 217 on its upper surface. The pusher groove 217 is disposed between the row of staple cavities 219 along a central axis of the cartridge body 25. More detailed structure of the cartridge body 25 will be further described below with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0029] In Figure 2The wedge-shaped slider 24 that can be provided in the staple cartridge body 25 is separately shown on the right side. The slider 24 has a sloped surface at its distal end that is configured to engage the anastomosis staple driver 23. In the present embodiment, the slider 24 serves as an anastomosis staple ejecting mechanism. Specifically, before use, the slider 24 is held at the proximal end of the staple cartridge body 25. When the user operates the stapler through the handle portion, the knife inside the stapler pushes the slider 24 so that the slider 24 moves distally in the staple ejecting slot 217. With the movement of the slider 24, when the sloped surface of the slider 24 engages the anastomosis staple driver 23, the anastomosis staple driver 23 is pushed upward, thereby causing the anastomosis staple 22 to exit the staple cavity 219 for anastomosis operation. It should be understood that the above-described structure and manner of driving the anastomosis staple are only exemplary, and other structures and manners can also be conceived or adopted.

[0030] Above the Figure 2 staple cartridge body 25, the staple cartridge protective cover 21 is shown. The general function of the staple cartridge protective cover 21 is to protect the anastomosis staples 22 provided in the staple cartridge body 25. Before use, the staple cartridge protective cover 21 is detachably mounted on the staple cartridge body 25 (which is described further below and shown in Figure 4 ), thereby avoiding the anastomosis staples 22 from being detached or damaged from the staple cartridge assembly 2 due to external force, vibration, etc. during storage and transportation. In use, after the staple cartridge assembly 2 is mounted into the staple cartridge seat 3, the staple cartridge protective cover 21 is removed from the staple cartridge body 25, and the staple cartridge assembly 2 can be used for subsequent surgical operation. The more detailed structure of the staple cartridge protective cover 21 and the innovative function related thereto will be described in further detail below with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 .

[0031] Below the Figure 2 staple cartridge body 25, the support frame 26 is also shown. In the embodiment of the present application, the support frame 26 is used to mount and hold the staple cartridge body 25 in the staple cartridge seat 3 of the stapler 100 and prevent the slider 24 and the anastomosis staple driver 23 from sliding out of the staple cartridge body 25.

[0032] Reference is now made to Figure 3 and Figure 4 to describe the staple cartridge protective cover 21 and the staple cartridge body 25 of the staple cartridge assembly 2 according to the present application in more detail. Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the staple cartridge protective cover 21 and the staple cartridge body 25 in a disassembled state and an assembled state, respectively, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0033] As Figure 3 and 4As shown, the staple cartridge cover 21 according to embodiments of the present application comprises a cover body 214 which is generally shaped to conform to the outer profile of the staple cartridge body 25 to mate with the staple cartridge body 25. The cover body 214 comprises opposite top and bottom sides, which are defined herein as the side of the cover body 214 distal from the staple cartridge body 25 as the staple cartridge cover 21 is installed on the staple cartridge body 25 and the side of the cover body 214 proximal to the staple cartridge body 25. A protrusion 211 is provided on the top side of the cover body 214, which can comprise a cuboid, a boss, or a dome, for example. On the bottom side of the cover body 214, a positioning ridge 212 is provided along the central axis of the cover body 214. The positioning ridge 212 is insertable into a positioning slot on the staple cartridge body 25. In embodiments of the present application, the positioning slot that mates with the positioning ridge 212 is the original pusher slot 217 of the staple cartridge body 25, and by using the pusher slot 217 as the positioning slot, no additional positioning slot needs to be provided on the narrow upper surface of the staple cartridge body 25, thereby saving space and cost.

[0034] A receiving hole 213 is provided on the positioning ridge 212 which is perpendicular to the axis direction of the cover body 214, and is shaped and sized to accommodate the anvil butt 1 of the stapler 100 to pass therethrough in its longitudinal direction, so that the staple cartridge cover 21 can be installed on the anvil butt 1 by passing the anvil butt 1 through the receiving hole 213. Although the receiving hole 213 is depicted as a circular arc in the illustrated embodiment, other shapes can be used in alternative embodiments as long as the receiving hole is capable of receiving the anvil butt of the stapler.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the receiving hole 213 can be correspondingly located below the protrusion 211, and the receiving hole 213 and the protrusion 211 can be located in the middle of the staple cartridge cover 21, so that the staple cartridge cover 21 can be installed on the anvil butt 1 in either direction without considering the installation direction. The functions of the receiving hole and the protrusion will be described in further detail below with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6 .

[0036] Continuing to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a pair of first clamping hooks 215 is symmetrically provided on the distal end of the cover body 214 which extends downward and perpendicularly from the cover body 214 along the central axis of the cover body 214. Correspondingly, a pair of clamping slots 218 is symmetrically provided on the distal end of the staple cartridge body 25 along the central axis of the staple cartridge body 25. The pair of clamping slots 218 is configured to detachably mate with the pair of first clamping hooks 215 to ensure a secure fixation therebetween when the staple cartridge cover 21 is installed on the staple cartridge body 25 (as shown in Figure 4 .

[0037] Further, at the proximal end of the protective cap body 214, a pair of second clamping hooks 216 is symmetrically provided along the central axis of the protective cap body 214, which extends downward and perpendicularly from the protective cap body 214. Correspondingly, the width of the cartridge body 25 can be configured such that the cartridge body 25 can be fixed between the pair of second clamping hooks 216, so as to prevent the cartridge protection cap 21 from moving relative to the cartridge body 25 when the cartridge protection cap 21 is mounted on the cartridge body 25 (as shown in Figure 4 FIG. 2), for example.

[0038] It should be understood that the form, position and number of the fastening members such as the first clamping hooks, the second clamping hooks and the clamping slots described above are exemplary, and other forms, positions and numbers of the fastening members can be conceived and adopted in alternative embodiments.

[0039] Reference will now be made to Figure 5 and Figure 6 to explain in detail the principle of disassembling the cartridge assembly by using the cartridge protection cap according to the present application. Figure 5 is a schematic view of mounting the cartridge protection cap 21 according to the exemplary embodiment on the anvil 1 of the stapler, Figure 6 is a schematic view of disassembling the cartridge assembly 2 by using the cartridge protection cap 21 according to the exemplary embodiment.

[0040] As previously described, and as shown in Figure 5 , when it is necessary to replace the cartridge assembly 2 and disassemble it, since the receiving hole 213 is shaped and sized to be adapted to the anvil 1 of the stapler 100 to pass through along its longitudinal direction, the cartridge protection cap 21 can be mounted on the anvil 1 by passing the anvil 1 through the receiving hole 213 along its longitudinal direction, so that the protruding portion 211 of the top side of the cartridge protection cap 21 faces the rest of the cartridge assembly 2.

[0041] By continuing to move the cartridge protection cap 21 along the anvil 1 to the proximal end and slightly pivoting the anvil 1 towards the closed position, the proximal end of the cartridge assembly can be brought to abut against the protruding portion 211. As previously described, the shape of the protruding portion 211 can comprise a cuboid, a boss or a dome, for example, which can depend on the shape of the proximal end of the cartridge body that is in contact with the protruding portion 211, for example. For example, a corresponding recess can be provided at the proximal end of the cartridge body to facilitate the engagement between the two.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6 , after the cartridge protection cap 21 is mounted in place on the anvil 1, the user can hold the distal end portion of the cartridge body 25 (i.e. the portion protruding out of the cartridge seat 3) by hand along the Figure 6The force is applied in the direction indicated by the middle arrow (clockwise direction). Because the proximal end of the cartridge body 25 abuts against the protrusion 211 of the cartridge protection cover 21, the force can be easily applied to lift the cartridge assembly 2, so as to detach the cartridge assembly 2 from the cartridge seat 3. According to the mechanical principle, the protrusion 211 provides a stable fulcrum for the detachment operation, and provides a longer effective force arm, thereby the force required for detaching the cartridge assembly 2 can be significantly reduced, so as to facilitate the operation of the user.

[0043] As described above, in the cartridge assembly according to the present application, the original cartridge protection cover of the cartridge assembly is creatively utilized as the detachment tool, and no additional detachment tool is required. By providing the receiving hole on the cartridge protection cover, the cartridge protection cover is mounted on the cartridge seat, and by providing the protrusion on the cartridge protection cover, the proximal end of the cartridge assembly can abut against the protrusion, and the effective force arm is increased during the detachment operation, so that the user can detach the cartridge assembly from the cartridge seat by using a smaller force, and the detachment operation is greatly facilitated. In addition, the cartridge assembly according to the present application also has the advantages of simple structure, firm installation and the like.

[0044] Although the present application has been described with reference to the above embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the concept and scope of the present application as defined in the appended claims. Although the present specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the application as claimed, but merely as descriptions of features specific to certain embodiments. The scope of the application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, without being limited to the embodiments described above.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly for an anastomosis instrument, the anastomosis instrument comprising a buttress seat, the staple cartridge assembly comprising: a support configured to detachably mount and hold the staple cartridge assembly in a staple cartridge seat of the anastomosis instrument; a staple cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, the staple cavities containing a plurality of anastomosis staples; a staple ejecting mechanism configured to push the anastomosis staples out of the staple cavities; and a staple cartridge protective cover detachably mounted on the staple cartridge body, the staple cartridge protective cover comprising a protrusion and a receiving hole, wherein the receiving hole is shaped and sized to mount the staple cartridge protective cover on the buttress seat when the buttress seat is passed through the receiving hole, and when the buttress seat is passed through the receiving hole, the staple cartridge protective cover is mounted on the buttress seat, the protrusion is directed towards the staple cartridge body such that a proximal end of the staple cartridge body abuts against the protrusion.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 1, wherein, the staple cartridge protective cover comprises a cover body, the protrusion is disposed on a top side of the cover body, the staple cartridge protective cover further comprises a positioning ridge disposed on a bottom side of the cover body, the receiving hole is disposed in the positioning ridge.

3. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 2, wherein, the receiving hole is correspondingly located on opposite sides of the protrusion.

4. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 3, wherein, the receiving hole and the protrusion are located in the middle of the staple cartridge protective cover.

5. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein, the staple cartridge body further comprises a positioning slot, the positioning ridge of the staple cartridge protective cover is detachably inserted into the positioning slot.

6. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein: the staple cartridge body comprises a staple ejecting slot on its upper surface, and the staple cavities further contain anastomosis staple drivers, the anastomosis staples are disposed in the anastomosis staple drivers; the staple ejecting mechanism comprises a slider having an inclined surface, the slider is configured to slide in the staple ejecting slot in a distal direction when the anastomosis instrument is operated for an anastomosis operation, such that the inclined surface of the slider engages and pushes upward the anastomosis staple drivers, thereby pushing the anastomosis staples out of the anastomosis staple drivers; and the positioning slot is the staple ejecting slot.

7. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein, the staple cartridge protective cover comprises at least one pair of first clamps, the first clamps are symmetrically disposed relative to a central axis of the staple cartridge protective cover, and the staple cartridge body comprises a corresponding at least one pair of clamping slots, the first clamps of the staple cartridge protective cover detachably mate with the clamping slots of the staple cartridge body when the staple cartridge protective cover is mounted on the staple cartridge body.

8. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein, the staple cartridge protective cover comprises at least one pair of second clamps, the second clamps are symmetrically disposed relative to the central axis of the staple cartridge protective cover, and the staple cartridge body is detachably fixed between each pair of second clamps when the staple cartridge protective cover is mounted on the staple cartridge body.

9. The cartridge assembly of any one of Claims 1-4, wherein, the protrusion comprises a cuboid, a boss or a dome.

10. An anastomosis instrument comprising: a handle portion, an end effector, and an extension tube extending between and connecting the handle portion and the end effector; wherein the end effector comprises: a staple cartridge seat; a buttress seat pivotably connected with the staple cartridge seat to pivot between an open position and a closed position; and the staple cartridge assembly of any one of claims 1-9 mounted in the staple cartridge seat.

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