Staple cartridge comprising composite slider

Abstract

A stapling assembly is disclosed that includes a cartridge body, a staple driver, a staple, and a slider assembly. The cartridge body includes a deck, a longitudinal slot, and a staple cavity defined in the deck. The slider assembly is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. The slider assembly is distally movable in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke. The slider assembly is proximally movable in the second configuration during a retraction stroke. The slider assembly includes a first member and a second member. The first component includes a base and at least one guide rail extending from the base. The guide rail includes a distally facing ramp configured to engage the staple driver to eject the staple from the staple cavity during the staple firing stroke. The guide rail is made of metal. The second member is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first member is movable relative to the second member.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various arrangements, to surgical stapling and severing instruments designed to staple and cut tissue, end effectors, and staple cartridges for use therewith.

[0002] In various surgical instruments, the slide of the nail magazine is pushed distally by the firing driver to eject the nail from the nail magazine during the nail firing stroke. When the firing driver retracts after the nail firing stroke, in some such instruments, the slide is left in the distal firing position. The slide may include a tissue cutting knife, which remains exposed when the slide is left in its distal firing position, which may accidentally contact the patient's tissue. Therefore, it may be expected that the slide with the tissue cutting knife retracts to a proximal position, in which the sharp edge or blade of the knife is contained in the knife housing to prevent the blade from contacting, for example, the patient's tissue. However, the slide may be stuck when retracting. For example, one or more nail drivers in the nail driver of the nail magazine may fall behind the slide during the nail firing stroke, which prevents the slide from retracting. Therefore, it may be expected that the slide is composed of multiple parts, which can be separated so that even if the rest of the slide cannot retract, the knife can still retract. Various multi-component slides and firing driver arrangements disclosed herein solve such problems. Summary of the invention

[0003] According to the present disclosure, a suturing assembly including a cartridge body is disclosed. The cartridge body includes: a platform including a proximal end and a distal end; a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end; and a plurality of nail cavities defined in the platform. The suturing assembly also includes a plurality of nail drivers that can be movably positioned in the nail cavities; a plurality of nails that can be removably stored in the nail cavities; and a slide assembly that can be constructed in a first configuration and a second configuration. The slide assembly can move distally in a first configuration during the nail firing stroke. The slide assembly can move proximally in a second configuration during the retraction stroke. The slide assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a base and at least one guide extending from the base. The guide includes a distally facing ramp. The distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke. The guide is made of metal. The second component can move in the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The various features of the embodiments described herein, together with their advantages, may be understood from the following description in conjunction with the following drawings:

[0005] Figure 1is a partial perspective view of a firing drive and slider assembly of a surgical stapling instrument having a knife portion and a wedge portion according to the present disclosure;

[0006] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional elevation view of a firing drive and slide assembly;

[0007] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional plan view of a firing drive and slide assembly;

[0008] Figure 4 It includes a nail magazine and Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of an end effector of a firing drive and sled assembly depicting the sled assembly ejecting a staple from a staple cartridge during a staple firing stroke;

[0009] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 , which depicts the slider assembly in a distal firing position after the nail firing stroke has been completed;

[0010] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of an end effector of that depicts a wedge-shaped portion of the sled assembly disengaged from the firing drive during a retraction stroke of the firing drive;

[0011] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument according to the present disclosure, wherein the staple cartridge includes a longitudinal slot including a recess and a protrusion;

[0012] Fig. 7A yes Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional perspective view of a staple cartridge illustrating a sled assembly of the staple cartridge including a wedge component and a knife component.

[0013] Figure 8 yes Fig. 7A a perspective view of a slide assembly depicting a knife component of the slide assembly disengaged from a wedge component of the slide assembly;

[0014] Fig. 9 yes Fig. 7A a perspective view of a slide assembly depicting a knife member of the slide assembly engaged with a wedge member of the slide assembly;

[0015] Fig.10 is a perspective view of a multi-component slide for use with a staple cartridge according to the present disclosure;

[0016] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 An exploded view of a multi-component slide;

[0017] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of a multi-component slide;

[0018] Fig.13 yes Fig.10 a bottom perspective view of a multi-component slide;

[0019] Fig.13A is a perspective view of a multi-material slide according to the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig.14 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge including a sled according to the present disclosure, depicting the sled in a distal firing position;

[0021] Fig.15 Yes Fig.14 A partial cross-sectional view of an end effector of a surgical instrument with a staple cartridge;

[0022] Fig.16 yes Fig.14 A perspective view of a slide member of a staple cartridge;

[0023] Fig.17 yes Fig.14 Another perspective view of the slide of the staple cartridge;

[0024] Fig.18 yes Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of a sled of a staple cartridge depicting a knife of the sled in an exposed configuration;

[0025] Fig.19 yes Fig.13 A cross-sectional view of a sled of a staple cartridge depicting a knife of the sled in a retracted configuration;

[0026] Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an end effector according to the present disclosure, the end effector including a sled of a staple cartridge including a knife housing;

[0027] Fig.21 yes Fig. 20 a cross-sectional view of an end effector depicting a knife of a slider at least partially positioned within a knife housing;

[0028] Fig. 22 Fig. 20 a perspective view of a staple cartridge depicting a knife of a sled of the staple cartridge at least partially positioned within a knife housing;

[0029] Fig.23A is a partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge according to the present disclosure, the staple cartridge including a sliding member and a separate tissue cutting knife; and

[0030] Fig. 23B yes Fig.23A A partial cross-sectional view of a staple cartridge showing the tissue cutting knife in a recessed configuration at the end of the staple firing stroke. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same date as the present application and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

[0032] U.S. Patent Application Titled “METHOD OF OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP2 / 220491-2M;

[0033] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS WITH ADAPTIVESTAPLE FIRING ALGORITHMS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP3 / 220491-3;

[0034] U.S. Patent Application Titled “LEARNED TRIGGERS FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP4 / 220491-4;

[0035] U.S. Patent Application Titled “CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR ACTUATING MOTORIZED FUNCTION OF SURGICALSTAPLING INSTRUMENT UTILIZINGINERTIAL DRIVE TRAIN PROPERTIES”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP5 / 220491-5;

[0036] U.S. Patent Application Titled “PROPORTIONATE BALANCING OF THE FUNCTION IMPACT MAGNITUDE OF BATTERY OUTPUT TO PEAK MOTOR CURRENT”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP6 / 220491-6;

[0037] U.S. Patent Application Titled “MOTOR OPTIMIZATION BY MINIMIZATION OF PARASITIC LOSSES AND TUNING MOTOR DRIVE CONFIGURATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP7 / 220491-7;

[0038] U.S. Patent Application Titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD TO REDUCE PARASITICLOSSES OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF A SURGICALIN STRUMENT”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP8 / 220491-8;

[0039] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL TOOL WITH RELAXED FLEX CIRCUITARTICULATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP9 / 220491-9;

[0040] U.S. Patent Application Titled “WIRING HARNESS FOR SMART STAPLER WITH MULTI AXIS ISARTICULATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP10 / 220491-10;

[0041] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH WIRELESS ARRAY FOR POWER AND DATATRANSFER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP11 / 220491-11; and

[0042] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING REPLACEABLE ELECTRONICS PACKAGE”;

[0043] Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP12 / 220491-12.

[0044] The applicant of the present application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same date as the present application and each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety:

[0045] U.S. Patent Application Titled “METHOD OF ASSEMBLING A STAPLE CARTRIDGE”; Attorney Docket Number END9484USNP13 / 220491-13M; U.S. Patent Application Titled “CONTROL SURFACES ON A STAPLE DRIVEROF A SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE”; Attorney Docket Number END9484USNP14 / 220491-14;

[0046] U.S. Patent Application Titled “INTEGRAL CARTRIDGE STIFFENING FEATURES TOREDUCE CARTRIDGE DEFLECTION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP15 / 220491-15;

[0047] U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WALLSTRUCTURES TO REDUCE CARTRIDGE DEFLECTION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP16 / 220491-16;

[0048] U.S. Patent Application Titled “PAN-LESS STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING RETENTION FEATURES FOR HOLDING STAPLED RIVERS AND SLED”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP17 / 220491-17;

[0049] U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SLED HAVING ADRIVER LIFT CAM”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP18 / 220491-18;

[0050] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH SLEDSCONFIGURED TO BECOUPLED TO A FIRING DRIVER OF A COMPATIBLE SURGICAL STAPLER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP19 / 220491-19;

[0051] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW AND FIRING ACTUATOR LOCKOUTARRANGEMENTS LOCATED PROXIMAL TO A JAW PIVOT LOCATION”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP21 / 220491-21;

[0052] U.S. Patent Application Titled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LATERALLY ENGAGEABLE LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AFIRING ACTUATOR”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP22 / 220491-22;

[0053] U.S. Patent Application Titled “DUAL INDEPENDENT KEYED LOCKING MEMBERSACTING ON THE SAMEDRIVE MEMBER”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP23 / 220491-23;

[0054] U.S. Patent Application Titled “ADJUNCTS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP24 / 220491-24;

[0055] U.S. Patent Application Titled “ADJUNCTS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP25 / 220491-25;

[0056] U.S. Patent Application Titled “JAW CONTROL SURFACES ON A SURGICALINSTRUMENT JAW”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP26 / 220491-26;

[0057] U.S. Patent Application Titled “ZONED ALGORITHM ADAPTIVE CHANGES BASED ON CORRELATION OF COOPERATIVE COMPRESSION CONTRIBUTIONS OF TISSUE”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP27 / 220491-27;

[0058] U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES COMPRISING TRACERETENTION FEATURES”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP29 / 220491-29; and

[0059] U.S. Patent Application Titled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES COMPRISING STAPLERETENTION FEATURES”; Attorney Docket No. END9484USNP30 / 220491-30.

[0060] Many specific details are listed herein to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments described in the specification and shown in the drawings. Well-known operations, parts, and elements are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and shown herein are non-limiting examples, so that it can be recognized that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein can be representative and illustrative. These embodiments can be modified and changed without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0061] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein relative to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician, and the term "distal" refers to the portion positioned away from the clinician. It should also be understood that for brevity and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," and "lower" may be used herein in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0062] Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in a variety of surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, in conjunction with open surgical procedures. Continuing to refer to this detailed description, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into the body in any manner, such as through a natural cavity, through an incision or puncture formed in the tissue, etc. The working portion or end effector portion of the instrument can be inserted directly into the patient's body or can be inserted through an access device having a working channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of the surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0063] Figures 1 to 6A surgical instrument 40900 is shown that includes an end effector 40930 configured to receive a staple cartridge 40920 and a firing drive 40910. The staple cartridge 40920 is replaceable, that is, the staple cartridge 40920 can be easily removed from the end effector 40930 during a surgical procedure and can be replaced with another staple cartridge; however, the staple cartridge 40920 may not be replaceable. The end effector 40930 includes a first jaw 40931 and a second jaw 40932 that can be moved relative to the first jaw 40931 to capture tissue between the first jaw 40931 and the second jaw 40932. However, the first jaw 40931 may be movable relative to the second jaw 40932. The staple cartridge 40920 includes a plurality of staple drivers 40921 and a sled assembly 40922 that is capable of moving distally to eject staples 40929 from the staple cartridge 40920 during a firing stroke of the firing driver 40910. Figure 3 , the nail driver 40921 is a triple nail driver configured to support three nails thereon. In addition, the nail driver 40921 is positioned on both sides of the longitudinal slot defined in the nail magazine 40920, and is configured to eject nails 40929 from a plurality of longitudinal row nail cavities defined in the nail magazine 40920.

[0064] Further to the above, the firing drive 40910 includes a first transverse cam 40914 configured to engage the first jaw 40931 and a second transverse cam 40912 configured to engage the second jaw 40932. The first jaw 40931 includes a longitudinal cavity 40933 defined therein that is configured to receive the first cam 40914 of the firing drive 40910. Additionally, the second jaw 40932 includes a longitudinal cavity 40934 defined therein that is configured to receive the second cam 40912 of the firing drive 40610. During the firing stroke, the first cam 40914 and the second cam 40912 are configured to maintain the position of the first jaw 40931 relative to the second jaw 40932.

[0065] In addition to the above, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the slider assembly 40922 includes a wedge portion 40923 and a knife portion 40940. The wedge portion 40923 includes a plurality of guide rails 40925 interconnected by a base 40926. Each of the guide rails 40925 includes a distally facing distal ramp 40924 that is configured to engage the nail driver 40921 of the nail cartridge 40920 in a camming manner to eject the nail 49023 from the nail cartridge 40920 during the firing stroke. Figure 2As shown, the knife portion 40940 is positioned on and connected to the wedge-shaped portion 40923. Specifically, the knife portion 40940 includes a cutout 40947 defining the distal wall 40942, and the base portion 40926 of the wedge-shaped portion 40923 includes a central protrusion 40927 received in the cutout 40947 of the knife portion 40940, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The cutout 40947 of the knife portion 40940 is sized and shaped to receive a complementary central protrusion 40927 of the slide 40922. The cutout 40947 of the knife portion 40940 and the central protrusion 40927 of the slide 40922 releasably interlock the knife portion 40940 and the wedge portion 40923 together, as discussed in more detail further below.

[0066] In use, the nail magazine 40920 is seated in the first jaw 40931 of the end actuator 40930, wherein the slide assembly 40922 is positioned in the proximal unfired position, and the firing driver 40910 is positioned on the proximal side of the slide assembly 40922. The firing driver 40910 includes relative arms 40913, each of which includes an elastic cantilever that is configured to be able to flex laterally outward and return laterally inward elastically. For example, the arm 40913 can be a part of a metal clip. At the beginning of the firing stroke, the firing driver 40910 is advanced toward the slide assembly 40922 toward the distal side, so that the arm 40913 engages and attaches the firing driver 40910 to the knife portion 40940 of the slide assembly 40922. More specifically, each of the arms 40913 includes a shoulder that snaps into a recess 40943 defined in the proximal end of the knife portion 40940 during the firing stroke of the firing drive 40910. That is, the firing drive 40910 can be configured to be connected to the knife portion 40940 in any suitable manner. When the knife portion 40940 of the slider assembly 40922 is pushed distally by the firing drive 40910, the distal wall 40942 of the knife portion 40940 abuts the proximal wall 40928 of the wedge portion 40923 (see FIG. Figure 2), so that the firing driver 40910 advances the wedge portion 40923 and the knife portion 40940 together distally. During the firing stroke, the distal ramp 40924 of the slider 40922 engages the nail driver 40921 and moves it from the unfired position to the fired position to eject the nail 40929 from the nail magazine 40920. After the nail firing stroke has been completed or at least partially completed, the firing driver 40910 is pulled proximally to retract the firing driver 40910 and the slider assembly 40922 to their proximal unfired positions. When the now spent nail magazine 40920 is removed from the end effector, the slider assembly 40922 is separated from the firing driver 40910. At this time, a new or unused nail magazine can be seated in the end effector.

[0067] In addition to the above, the slide assembly 40922 may become stuck and not retractable after the firing stroke. For example, one or more of the drivers 40921 may fall behind the slide assembly 40922 from their fired positions toward their unfired positions after the slide assembly 40922 has passed therethrough during the firing stroke. Figure 6 The staple driver 40921a in the staple driver 40921 is shown in its unfired position after the firing stroke is completed, which can prevent the slide assembly 40922 from retracting. In the absence of more, if the end effector is reopened at this time, the tissue cutting knife 40945 will be exposed. For example, to address this potential problem, when the slide assembly 40922 is retracted, if the wedge portion 40923 is stuck or blocked by the staple driver 40921 (such as the staple driver 40921a), the knife portion 40940 of the slide assembly 40922 can be separated from the wedge portion 40923. When the firing drive 40910 is retracted with sufficient force, the engagement between the guide rail 40925 and the driver 40921a causes the central protrusion 40927 of the wedge portion 40923 to move out of the cutout 40947 of the knife portion 40940 to separate the wedge portion 40923 and the knife portion 40940. The knife portion 40940 is then retracted proximally (leaving the wedge-shaped portion 40923) by the firing drive 40910 to complete the retraction stroke. Thus, with one or more staple drivers 40921 in the path of the guide rails 40925 of the sled assembly 40922 as the sled assembly 40922 is retracted, the knife 40945 and the firing drive 40910 can still be retracted to their proximal unfired positions.

[0068] In addition to the above, wedge portion 40923 may include a first material and knife portion 40940 may include a second material different from the first material. For example, wedge portion 40923 is composed of plastic and knife portion 40940 is composed of metal. Wedge portion 40923 may be composed of, for example, polyvinyl chloride, and the blade of knife portion 40940 may be composed of, for example, stainless steel. Knife portion 40940 may include a plastic material and wedge portion 40923 may include a metal material.

[0069] Figures 7 to 9 A stapling system 41100 is shown that includes an end effector that is configured to receive a staple cartridge 41120. The staple cartridge 41120 is replaceable; however, the staple cartridge 41120 may not be replaceable. The staple cartridge 41120 includes a cartridge body 41122 and a sled assembly 41130 that is movable within the cartridge body 41122. The cartridge body 41122 includes a platform 41126, a longitudinal slot 41124, and a plurality of longitudinal rows of staple cavities 41127 defined in the platform 41126. Three rows of staple cavities 41127 are positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot 41124 and three rows of staple cavities 41127 are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot 41124. Each staple cavity 41127 includes at least one staple cavity extender 41128 extending from the platform 41126 that at least partially surrounds the staple cavity 41127. That is, only some of the staple cavities 41127 may have staple cavity extenders 41128, or none of the staple cavities 41127 may have staple cavity extenders. The staple cartridge 41120 also includes a plurality of staple drivers movably positioned within the staple cavities 41127 supporting the staples thereon. In addition, the staple cartridge 41120 includes a longitudinal recess 41123 defined in the body portion 41122 on each side of the longitudinal slot 41124, a cartridge slot protrusion 41129 extending into the longitudinal slot 41124 on each side thereof at the proximal end of the longitudinal slot 41124, and a knife housing portion 41125 extending upwardly from the platform 41126 at the proximal end of the longitudinal slot 41124. The longitudinal recess 41123 and the cartridge slot protrusion 41129 are configured to interact with the sled assembly 41130, as discussed in more detail below.

[0070] See also Figure 8 and Fig. 9, the slider assembly 41130 includes a wedge portion 41140 and a knife portion 41150. The wedge portion 41140 includes a base 41142, a center portion 41143, and a plurality of guide rails 41144 extending from the base 41142. The center portion 41143 includes a proximal protrusion 41145 extending proximally from the center portion 41143, wherein two of the guide rails 41144 are positioned on each side of the center portion 41143. Each of the guide rails 41144 includes a distally facing distal ramp 41146. The distal ramp 41146 is configured to engage a staple driver positioned in the cartridge body 41122 in a camming manner to eject staples from the staple cartridge 41120. The knife portion 41150 includes a longitudinal nose portion 41152, a hook portion 41154 extending below the nose portion 41152, and a knife or blade 41156 extending above the nose portion 41152. The hook portion 41154 defines an opening 41157 in the knife portion 41150, which, as discussed in more detail below, is configured to receive a portion of the wedge portion 41140 therein.

[0071] In addition to the above, a firing drive (such as the firing drive 40910 discussed above) engages the knife portion 41150 of the slider assembly 41130, for example, during the firing stroke to advance the knife portion 41150 and the wedge portion 41140 together from the proximal unfired position to the distal fired position. When the knife portion 41150 is pushed distally by the firing drive, the knife portion 41150 pushes the wedge portion 41140 distally due to the engagement of the hook portion 41154 of the knife portion 41150 with the proximal protrusion 41145 of the wedge portion 41140. After the firing stroke has been completed or at least partially completed, the firing drive can be retracted so that the jaws of the stapling system 41100 can be reopened and / or the stapling system 41100 can be reset. Thus, the firing drive retracts the knife portion 41150 proximally to its initial proximal unfired position within the staple cartridge 41120. The firing drive and / or the knife portion 41150 include one or more features coupling the firing drive and the knife portion 41150 such that the firing drive can retract the knife portion 41150. However, the wedge portion 41140 remains in a distal firing position within the staple cartridge 41120 and does not retract with the knife portion 41150. When the knife portion 41150 is retracted, the interface between the knife portion 41150 and the wedge portion 41140 allows the knife portion 41150 to slide proximally away from the wedge portion 41140.

[0072] In addition to the above, during the nail firing stroke, the knife portion 41150 can rest on the wedge portion 41140 and / or can be supported by the wedge portion. However, when the knife portion 41150 is retracted toward the proximal side relative to the wedge portion 41140 during the retraction stroke, the knife portion 41150 can no longer be supported by the wedge portion 41140. That is, the cartridge body 41122 is configured to support the knife portion 41150 during the nail firing stroke and the retraction stroke. More specifically, the knife portion 41150 includes a transverse protrusion 41153, which is received in and supported by the side wall of the longitudinal recess 41123 defined in the cartridge body 41122 during the nail firing and retraction strokes. The transverse protrusion 41153 extends longitudinally along the lateral side of the nose portion 41152 and slides in the longitudinal recess 41123. Due to the configuration of the transverse protrusion 41153 and the longitudinal recess 41123, the knife portion 41150 is prevented from, or at least restricted from, vertical movement within the longitudinal slot 41124 of the cartridge body 41122. In any event, the knife or blade 41156 of the knife portion 41150 is housed within the knife housing portion 41125 of the cartridge body 41122 when the knife portion 41150 is in its proximal, unfired position.

[0073] When the knife portion 41150 is retracted to its proximal unfired position by the firing drive, the proximal end 41159 of the knife portion 41150 engages the cartridge slot protrusion 41129 of the cartridge body 41122, which stops the proximal movement of the knife portion 41150. The firing drive is then further retracted proximally into its unfired position, which separates the firing drive from the knife portion 41150. Thus, when the staple cartridge 41120 is removed from the stapling system 41100, the slider assembly 41130 of the staple cartridge 41120 is not attached to the firing drive of the stapling system 41100. In addition, the knife or blade 41156 of the knife portion 41150 is stored or received in the knife housing 41125 of the cartridge body 41122 so that the tissue cutting edge of the knife 41156 is not accidentally contacted by the clinician operating the staple cartridge 41120.

[0074] Nail magazine 41800 Fig.23A and Fig. 23B , which can be used with a surgical stapling instrument including a firing driver. The staple cartridge 41800 includes a cartridge body 41810, which includes a platform 41812 configured to support patient tissue and a staple cavity defined in the platform 41812, a staple driver capable of moving within the staple cavity, and a staple removably stored in the staple cavity, which is driven by the staple driver during the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 41800 also includes a sliding member 41820, which can be moved by the firing driver from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position ( Fig. 23B ). Similar to other slides disclosed herein, the slide 41820 engages the nail driver during the nail firing stroke to eject the nails from the nail magazine 41800 and deform the nails against the anvil positioned opposite to the nail magazine 41800. The nail magazine 41800 also includes a tissue cutting knife 41830, which is also pushed distally by the firing driver during the nail firing stroke. It is worth noting that the tissue cutting knife 41830 is not connected to the slide 41820, but moves with the slide 41820 during the nail firing stroke. During the nail firing stroke, see Fig.23A , the blade 41832 of the tissue cutting knife 41830 extends above the platform 41812 of the cartridge body 41810, so that the blade 41832 cuts the patient tissue positioned between the anvil and the platform 41812 of the staple cartridge 41800. At the end of the staple firing stroke, see Fig. 23B , the tissue cutting knife 41830 descends or dives downward within the cartridge body 41810 so that the blade 41832 is positioned below the top surface of the platform 41812. This downward movement of the tissue cutting knife 41830 is controlled by one or more cams defined on the cartridge body. More specifically, the cartridge body 41810 includes a cam slot 41815 defined therein, and the tissue cutting knife 41830 includes a cam pin 41835 extending into the cam slot 41815, which moves within the cam slot 41815 during the staple firing stroke and is moved downward by the side wall 41816 of the cam slot 41815 when the tissue cutting knife 41830 reaches the end of the staple firing stroke. Fig. 23B As shown, the sidewall 41816 of the cam slot 41815 guides the cam pin 41835 into the rest portion 41817, which prevents the blade 41832 of the tissue cutting knife 41830 from extending above the platform 41812. The cartridge body 41810 includes at least one bump or pawl, which holds the cam pin 41835 in the rest portion 41817 so that the tissue cutting knife 41830 cannot move upward back into its raised position. Once the cam pin 41835 is in the rest portion 41817 and the blade 41832 is therefore recessed below the platform 41812, the firing drive of the surgical stapling instrument can be retracted, thereby leaving the slide 41820 in its distal firing position and leaving the tissue cutting knife 41830 in its lowered position. Thus, when the clinician is removing the staple cartridge from the patient and / or removing the staple cartridge from the surgical stapling instrument, the blade 41832 is not exposed and is less likely to accidentally come into contact with patient tissue and / or the clinician.

[0075] In addition to the above, wedge portion 41140 may include a first material and blade portion 41150 may include a second material different from the first material. For example, wedge portion 41140 may include a plastic material and blade portion 41150 may include a metal material. However, blade portion 41150 may include a plastic material and wedge portion 41140 may include a metal material.

[0076] For example, Figures 10 to 13 A multi-component sled assembly 41200 is shown for use with a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridges described herein. The sled assembly 41200 includes a central nose component 41210, an inner rail component 41220, and an outer rail component 41230. The central nose component 41210 includes a proximal lug 41212 and a distal ramp 41216 that are configured to move within a longitudinal slot of the staple cartridge. The proximal lug 41212 is configured to support a distal nose portion of a firing drive to eliminate firing drive lockout, as described herein. The central nose component 41210 also includes a bottom surface 41211, a cavity 41213 defined in the bottom surface 41211, and a post 41215. At Fig.13 In the embodiment of the present invention, the post 41215 is unformed and includes, for example, a cylindrical shape, but may include any suitable shape. As discussed further below, the post 41215 is heat fused during the manufacturing process to connect the central nose component 41210, the inner rail component 41220, and the outer rail component 41230.

[0077] In addition to the above, the inner rail component 41220 includes an inner base 41222 and inner rails 41224 extending upward from the inner base 41222. Each of the inner rails 41224 includes an inner distal ramp 41226. The inner rail component 41220 also includes a center tab 41223 extending upward from the inner base 41222 and a through hole 41227 extending through the base 41222. The outer rail component 41230 includes an outer base 41232 and outer rails 41234 extending upward from the outer base 41232. Each of the outer rails 41234 includes an outer distal ramp 41236. The outer base 41232 also includes a through hole 41237 defined through the outer base 41232.

[0078] To assemble the slider assembly 41200, in addition to the above, the inner rail component 41220 is placed on the outer rail component 41230 so that the through hole 41227 of the inner rail component 41220 is aligned with the through hole 41237 of the outer rail component 41230. The center nose component 41210 is then placed on the inner rail component 41220 so that the center tab 41223 of the inner rail component 41220 is received in the cavity 41213 of the center nose component 41210 to align the inner rail component 41220 with the center nose component 41210. Once assembled, the post 41215 of the center nose component 41210 extends through the through hole 41227 of the inner rail component 41220 and the through hole 41237 of the outer rail component 41230, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown. Fig.13 41230. The post 41215 has not yet been heat-melted and extends beyond the base 41232 of the outer rail portion 41230. The central nose member 41210 is constructed of plastic, and when heat is applied to the post 41215, the post 41215 deforms so that its diameter exceeds the diameter of the hole 41237 in the outer rail member 41220 and the hole 41227 in the inner rail member 41230, which locks the central nose member 41210, the inner rail member 41230, and the outer rail member 41220 to each other, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 The central tab 41223 of the inner rail component 41220 can be press-fit into the cavity 41213 of the central nose component 41210 to help couple the central nose component 41210 to the inner rail component 41220 .

[0079] In use, as discussed above, the slider assembly 41200 is configured to be advanced through the nail magazine during the nail firing stroke, so as to engage the nail driver of the nail magazine in a camming manner and move it from the unfired position to the fired position to eject the nail from the nail magazine. Specifically, the inner distal ramp 41226 and the outer distal ramp 41236 of the slider assembly 41200 are configured to engage the cam drive surface on the nail driver in a camming manner, so that when the slider assembly 41200 is pushed from the proximal unfired position to the distal fired position by the firing driver, the nail driver is lifted from its unfired position to its fired position. When the firing driver retracts after the nail firing stroke, the slider assembly 41200 remains in the distal fired position. In other words, the firing driver is configured to advance the slider assembly 41200 but does not retract the slider assembly 41200. However, a firing drive, such as firing drive 40910, for example, may be capable of being attached to the sled assembly 41200 to advance the sled assembly 41200 from its proximal unfired position to the distal fired position and to retract the sled assembly 41200 from the distal fired position to its proximal unfired position.

[0080] In addition to the above, the inner rail member 41220 and the outer rail member 41230 of the slide assembly 41200 are made of stamped metal, and the central nose portion 41210 of the slide assembly 41200 is made of plastic. As discussed above, the inner rail member 41220 and the outer rail member 41230 contact and drive the nail driver of the nail magazine to eject the nail from the nail magazine and drive the nail against the anvil positioned relative to the nail magazine. Large forces are transmitted through the rail members 41220, 41230, and therefore, the construction of the rail members 41220, 41230 can allow the rail members 41220, 41230 to withstand large forces without deflecting or substantially deflecting. However, if the rails 41224, 41234 of the rail members 41220, 41230 are significantly deflected while driving the nail against the anvil, the nail driven against the anvil may not be deformed to the appropriate forming height. More specifically, the molded height of the deformed staples may be too high, and the deformed staples may not properly clamp the patient tissue therein. That is, the metal rail components 41220, 41230 may be hard, and the interface surfaces between the cartridge body and the metal rail components 41220, 41230 may resist the movement of the slider assembly 41200 relative to the cartridge body. With this in mind, the central nose component 41210 of the slider assembly 41200 is constructed of plastic and is configured to slide within the cartridge body of the staple cartridge, which is also constructed of plastic. The engaging plastic surfaces between the central nose component 41210 and the cartridge body may provide little resistance to the movement of the slider assembly 41200 relative to the cartridge body.

[0081] As described above, the center nose component 41210 is composed of plastic. According to the present disclosure, the center nose component 41210 can be overmolded onto the inner rail component 41220 and / or the outer rail component 41230 to form the multi-component slide 41200 as a single-piece unitary structure. In addition, the center nose component 41210 can be heat-sold onto the inner rail component 41220 and the outer rail component 41230 to form the multi-component slide 41200 as a single-piece unitary structure. In addition, the inner rail 41224 of the inner rail component 41220 can include stamped metal, and the remaining portion of the inner rail component can be composed of plastic that has been overmolded and / or heat-sold onto the inner rail 41224. In addition, the outer rail 41234 of the outer rail component 41230 can include stamped metal, and the remaining portion of the outer rail component can be composed of plastic that has been overmolded and / or heat-sold onto the outer rail 41234.

[0082] Fig.13AAnother example of a sled 41270 for use with a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridges described herein, is shown. The sled 41270 includes a central nose portion 41272, a pair of outer rails 41275, and a pair of inner rails 41278. The inner rails 41278 are constructed of metal, while the central portion 41272 and the outer rails 41275 are constructed of plastic. The inner rails 41278 are constructed of stamped stainless steel, and the plastic that makes up the central nose portion 41272 and the outer rails 41275 has been overmolded onto the inner rails 41278. The outer rails 41275 are not as hard as the inner rails 41278, and therefore, the nails formed by the nail drivers driven by the outer rails 41275 can be formed to a greater formed nail height than the nails formed by the nail drivers driven by the harder metal inner rails 41278. The staple cartridge may include two inner longitudinal rows of staple drivers driven by metal inner rails 41278 and two outer longitudinal rows of staple drivers driven by plastic outer rails 41275 (which are not connected to the inner longitudinal rows of staple drivers). Fig.13 Compared with the configuration depicted, such a configuration can withstand less resistance during the nail firing stroke. In addition, this configuration can provide a smaller molded nail and a larger molded nail, the smaller molded nail tightly clamps the patient tissue near the incision in the patient tissue, and the larger molded nail clamps the patient tissue away from the incision, but in a manner sufficient to allow, for example, blood to flow to the suture tissue. Each nail driver in the internal longitudinal row of nail drivers can be configured to drive two nails, and each nail driver in the external longitudinal row of nail drivers can be configured to drive one nail. The metal slide rail 41278 can drive twice the nails of the plastic slide rail 41275 during the nail firing stroke, so it can withstand about twice the firing force therein. Considering the metal material constituting the inner slide rail 41278, the metal slide rail 41278 can withstand higher firing loads without unacceptable deflection.

[0083] According to the present disclosure, the slider rail can be constructed of metal or plastic. The slider rail can be constructed of both metal and plastic. See again Fig.13A, the inner slide rail 41278 of the slide 41270 can be composed of a metal frame and a plastic material overmolded on a portion of the metal frame. The bottom 41276 of each inner slide rail 41278 can be overmolded with plastic, and the top 41377 of each inner slide rail 41278 can be overmolded without plastic. The plastic bottom 41276 of the inner slide rail 41278 can provide a smooth surface, which initially engages the nail driver when the slide rail 41270 moves toward the distal side. When the slide 41270 continues to move toward the distal side, the nail driver moves upward along the inner slide rail 41278 onto the metal surface of the inner slide rail 41278. Once the nail driver reaches the top 41277 of the inner slide rail 41278, the nail driver has driven the nail to its fully formed deformation height. In this position, the inner slide rail 41278 includes a metal column extending below the nail driver and supporting the nail driver. The metal frame of the inner slide rail 41278 may include a recess defined therein that receives a portion of the overmolded plastic and interlocks the plastic and metal components.

[0084] See again Fig.13A , the top surfaces of the outer slider rail 41275 and the inner slider rail 41278 may include flat surfaces. Fig.13A As shown, each slider rail 41275, 41278 includes a constant width along its longitudinal length. One or more of the slider rails 41275, 41278 can include chamfers and / or rounded corners on the lateral edges 41279 of the top surface, which reduces the lateral width of the top surface. This arrangement can control the profile of the surface that contacts the nail driver.

[0085] Figures 14 to 19A surgical system 41300 is shown that includes an end effector 41400 that is configured to receive a staple cartridge 41500. The end effector 41400 includes a first jaw 41401 and a second jaw 41403 that are movable relative to the first jaw 41401 to capture tissue between the first jaw 41401 and the second jaw 41403. However, the first jaw 41401 may be movable relative to the second jaw 41403. The end effector 41400 also includes a firing drive 41410 that is movable relative to the first jaw 41401 and the second jaw 41403. The first jaw 41401 includes a longitudinal drive screw 41405 that is rotatably supported at its distal end by a bearing 41406. The firing drive 41410 includes a firing nut 41412, a first lateral cam 41414, a second lateral cam 41416, and a lateral recess 41417 defined on a lateral side of the firing drive 41410. The firing nut 41412 includes an internal thread that is threadedly engaged with an external thread 41507 of a drive screw 41405 of the first jaw 41401. When the drive screw 41405 is rotated in a first direction, the firing drive 41410 is pushed distally by the drive screw 41405, and correspondingly, when the drive screw 41405 is rotated in a second or opposite direction, the drive screw 41405 pulls the firing drive 41410 proximally. The first transverse cam 41414 is configured to engage the staple cartridge 41500 and / or the first jaw 41401 in a camming manner when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the first jaw 41401 and the firing drive 41410 moves from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke. The second transverse cam 41416 is configured to move within the longitudinal cavity 41404 of the second jaw 41403 and engage the second jaw 41403 in a camming manner during a firing stroke. Thus, the first transverse cam 41414 and the second transverse cam 41416 can approach or position the first jaw 41401 relative to the second jaw 41403 during a firing stroke of the firing drive 41410.

[0086] In addition to the above, the nail magazine 41500 includes a magazine body 41502, which includes a longitudinal slot 41504 and a plurality of nail cavities 41506 defined therein. The nail cavities 41506 are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows in the magazine body 41502. Specifically, three rows of nail cavities 41506 are arranged on a first side of the longitudinal slot 41504 and three rows of nail cavities 41506 are arranged on a second side of the longitudinal slot 41504 opposite to the first side; however, any suitable arrangement may be used. The nail magazine 41500 also includes a plurality of nail drivers 41510 that can be movably positioned in the magazine body 41502. Each of the nail drivers 41510 includes a nail support portion that moves within the nail cavity 41506 and is configured to support a nail thereon.

[0087] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge 41500 includes a multi-component slide 41520 including a nose component 41530 and a wedge component 41540 that are movable relative to each other. The wedge component 41540 includes a base 41542 and a plurality of guide rails 41544 extending upward from the base 41542. Specifically, two guide rails 41544 are positioned on a first side of a central portion 41543 of the base 41542, and two guide rails 41544 are positioned on a second side of the central portion 41543 that is opposite to the first side. The central portion 41543 of the base 41542 includes a concave surface 41545 that is configured to receive a portion of the drive screw 41405 when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400, but is not threadedly engaged with the drive screw 41405. In addition, each of the guide rails 41544 includes a distal ramp 41546 that faces distally and is configured to engage the staple drivers 41510 in a camming manner to eject staples from the staple cartridge 41500. The central portion 41543 includes an upright body 41547 and a knife 41549 pivotally connected to the upright body 41547 by a pin 41548. In addition, the wedge-shaped component 41540 includes a flexible tab 41541 that extends proximally from the innermost of the guide rails 41544 (i.e., closest to the central portion 41543). The flexible tabs 41541 are bent inwardly toward each other.

[0088] In addition to the above, the nose component 41530 of the multi-component slide rail 41520 includes a base 41532 and an upright body 41534 extending upward from the base 41532. The base 41532 includes a concave surface 41536 and a protruding piece 41537 extending proximally on either side of the concave surface 41536. Each of the protruding pieces 41537 includes an inward pawl 41537a extending toward each other. The protruding piece 41537 is configured to be capable of latching engagement with the lateral recess 41417 of the firing drive 41410, as further discussed below. In addition, the concave surface 41536 is configured to be capable of receiving a portion of the drive screw 41405 when the nail cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400, but is not threadedly engaged with the drive screw 41405. Thus, when the staple cartridge 41500 is positioned in the end effector 41400, the wedge component 41540 and the nose component 41530 of the sled 41520 are configured to be seated on and / or above the drive screw 41405. After the staple cartridge 41500 is seated in the end effector 41400, the firing driver 41410 can be advanced distally toward the sled 41520 to perform a staple firing stroke. When the firing driver 41410 approaches the sled 41520, the firing driver 41410 abuts against the proximal surfaces 41531a, 41531b of the nose component 41530 to advance the nose component 41530 distally relative to the wedge component 41540.

[0089] In addition to the above, the upright body 41534 of the nose member 41530 includes a cavity 41535 defined therein. The cavity 41535 is configured to receive the upright body 41547 of the wedge-shaped member 41540 therein. At the beginning of the nail firing stroke, the proximal sidewall of the cavity 41535 of the nose member 41530 engages the knife 41549 of the wedge-shaped member 41540 in a camming manner to move the knife 41549 from the retracted position ( Fig.19 ) rotated to the exposed position ( Fig.18 As the firing drive 41410 is further advanced distally, the base 41532 of the nose member 41530 abuts against the center portion 41543 of the wedge-shaped member 41540 (see Fig.18 ), so that the firing driver 41410 advances the nose component 41530 and the wedge component 41540 distally with the knife 41549 in the exposed position. The knife 41549 of the wedge component 41540 is maintained in the exposed position by the side wall of the cavity 41535 of the nose component 41530 during the nail firing stroke. During the nail firing stroke, in addition to the above, the slider 41520 engages the nail driver 41510 to eject the nails from the nail magazine 41500. In addition, the exposed knife 41549 is configured to be able to cut the patient tissue captured in the end effector 41400 during the nail firing stroke of the firing driver 41410.

[0090] When the firing drive 41410 abuts the slider 41520 to advance the slider 41520 distally, in addition to the above, the proximal tab 41537 of the nose component 41530 of the slider 41520 latches into engagement with the lateral recess 41417 of the firing drive 41410 to operably couple the nose component 41530 of the slider 41520 to the firing drive 41410. After the firing drive 41410 advances the slider 41520 distally to a fully fired or at least partially fired position, the nose component 41530 retracts proximally together with the firing drive 41410 due to the coupling. Fig.18 When the knife retracts proximally from the position in the nose portion 41530, the knife retraction surface 41539b of the nose portion 41530 engages the knife 41549 of the wedge-shaped portion 41540 and causes the knife to move from the exposed position ( Fig.18 ) to the retracted position ( Fig.19 ). The upright body 41534 of the nose component 41530 also includes a cap 41538 including a slot 41539a defined therein. The slot 41539a includes a distal knife retraction surface 41539b that is configured to engage and rotate the knife 41549 of the wedge component 41540 when the nose component 41530 is retracted. As discussed below, the wedge component 41540 is prevented from retracting proximally with the nose component 41530.

[0091] As the wedge-shaped member 41540 is advanced distally during the nail firing stroke, the flexible tabs 41541 extending proximally from the wedge-shaped member 41540 are generally compressed inwardly by the cartridge body 41502. That is, as the flexible tabs 41541 pass through the nail cavities 41506 during the nail firing stroke, the flexible tabs 41541 have room to elastically flex outwardly into the nail cavities 41506. This elastic flexing and relaxation of the flexible tabs 41541 during the nail firing stroke does not stop the nail firing stroke; however, in the event that the wedge-shaped member 41540 is pulled proximally after being advanced through at least a portion of the nail firing stroke, the proximal ends of the flexible tabs 41541 are configured to engage the sidewalls of the nail cavities 41506 and prevent the wedge member 41540 from retracting. Therefore, the nose component 41530 can be retracted proximally with the firing drive 41410, but cannot be retracted proximally with the wedge-shaped component 41540. When the nose component 41530 is retracted into its proximal unfired position, the nose component 41530 contacts the stop surface of the cartridge body 41502, which prevents the nose component 41530 from further retracting proximally. However, at this time, the firing drive 41410 has not yet returned to its proximal unfired position. When the firing drive 41410 is further retracted with sufficient force, the proximal tab 41537 of the nose component 41530 disengages from the lateral recess 41417 of the firing drive 41410 to disengage the nose component 41530 from the firing drive 41410. The firing drive 41410 can then be retracted back to its initial proximal unfired position to allow the spent staple cartridge 41500 to be removed from the end effector 41400. Due to the recessed position of the knife 41549 in this case, the likelihood of a user coming into contact with the knife 41549 when removing the staple cartridge 41500 from the end effector 41400 is reduced.

[0092] Figure 20 to Figure 22A surgical end effector 41600 configured to receive a staple cartridge 41620 is shown. The end effector 41600 includes a first jaw 41601 and a second jaw 41603 that can move relative to the first jaw 41601 to capture tissue between the first jaw 40601 and the second jaw 41603. However, the first jaw 41601 may be able to move relative to the second jaw 41603. The staple cartridge 41620 includes a cartridge body 41621 and a slide 41630 that can move relative to the cartridge body 41621. The cartridge body 41621 includes a longitudinal slot 41624, a platform 41626, and a plurality of longitudinal rows of staple cavities 41627 defined in the platform 41626. Three rows of staple cavities 41627 are positioned on a first side of the longitudinal slot 41624 and three rows of staple cavities 41627 are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot 41624 that is opposite to the first side. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples are contemplated. The staple cartridge 41620 also includes a plurality of staple drivers that are movably positioned within the staple cavities 41627. The staple drivers are configured to support staples thereon and are similar to, for example, staple drivers 41510 (see Fig.14 ).

[0093] Further to the above, the slide 41630 of the staple cartridge 41620 is configured to be capable of being moved, for example, by a firing drive (such as the firing drive 40910 ( Figure 3 )) moves from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position. The slide 41630 includes a central nose portion 41625 and a plurality of upright guide rails on either side of the central nose portion 41625, such as those upright guide rails described herein. Each of the guide rails includes a distal ramp configured to engage a nail driver of a nail magazine 41620 in a camming manner to eject the nails from the magazine body 41621. The central nose portion 41625 includes a distal end ramp 41625b and a knife 41629 extending upward from the central nose portion 41622. The central nose portion 41622 moves within the longitudinal slot 41624 of the magazine body 41621 during the nail firing stroke, so that the knife 41629 extends above the magazine body 41621 to cut the patient tissue captured between the first jaw 41601 and the second jaw 41603 of the end effector 41600.

[0094] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge 41620 includes a movable knife housing 41640 at the distal end 41623 of the cartridge body 41621 positioned within the longitudinal slot 41624. The knife housing 41640 includes a proximal opening 41642 and a proximal ramp 41644, and slides within a track defined in the cartridge body 41621. The track includes a vertical slot extending orthogonally to the longitudinal slot 41624; however, the track may extend in any suitable direction. In use, the knife housing 41640 is capable of being in a recessed position ( Fig. 20 ) and extended or exposed position ( Fig.21 ) between. When the slide 41630 is advanced from the proximal unfired position to the distal fired position ( Fig.21 ), the distal ramp 41625b of the central nose portion 41625 of the slide 41630 engages the proximal ramp portion 41644 of the knife housing 41640 in a camming manner to move the knife housing 41640 from the recessed position ( Fig. 20 ) to an exposed position ( Fig.21 ). When the sliding member 41630 is in Fig.21 In the depicted distal firing position, at least a portion of the knife 41629 enters the proximal opening 41642 in the knife housing 41640. Specifically, when the slide 41630 is in the distal firing position ( Fig.21 ), the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629 is covered or enclosed within the knife housing 41640. When the firing drive is retracted to a proximal position within the end effector 41600, the slider 41630 remains in the distal firing position, wherein the knife housing 41640 covers the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629. Therefore, when the spent staple cartridge 41620 is removed from the end effector 41600, the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629 is not exposed.

[0095] In addition to the above, due to the engagement of the slider 41630 with the cartridge body 41621, the slider 41630 can be prevented from moving proximally after the firing stroke is completed and exposing the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629. More specifically, the slider 41630 may include a proximal engagement feature, such as a flexible tab 41541 (see Fig.17 ), which prevents the slider 41630 from moving proximally or at least substantially proximally. Therefore, when the staple cartridge 41620 is removed from the end effector 41600, the distal cutting edge 41629a of the knife 41629 remains covered by the knife housing 41640, and therefore, the possibility of the user contacting the knife 41549 is reduced.

[0096] Various aspects of the subject matter described herein are illustrated in the following examples.

[0097] Embodiment 1 - A suturing assembly includes a cartridge body (40920, 41122). The cartridge body includes: a platform (41126) including a proximal end and a distal end; a longitudinal slot (41124) extending from the proximal end toward the distal end; and a plurality of nail cavities (41127) defined in the platform. The suturing assembly also includes a plurality of nail drivers (40921) that are movably positioned in the nail cavities; a plurality of nails (40929) that are removably stored in the nail cavities; and a slide assembly (40922, 41130) that can be constructed in a first configuration and a second configuration. The slide assembly can move distally in a first configuration during a nail firing stroke. The slide assembly can move proximally in a second configuration during a retraction stroke. The slide assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component (40923, 41140) includes a base (40926, 41142) and at least one guide rail (40925, 41140) extending from the base. The guide rail includes a distally facing ramp (40924, 41146). The distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke. The guide rail is composed of metal. The second component (40940, 41150) is movable within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.

[0098] Example 2—A suturing assembly according to Example 1, wherein the second component is made of plastic.

[0099] Embodiment 3 - The suturing assembly of Embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the first component and the second component are coupled when in the first configuration, and wherein the first component and the second component are decoupled when in the second configuration.

[0100] Example 4 - The suturing assembly according to Example 3 further includes a first jaw (40931); a second jaw (40932) that can rotate relative to the first jaw between a release position and a clamped position; and a firing drive (40910) that can move distally during the nail firing stroke and can move proximally during the retraction stroke. The firing drive moves the slider assembly distally during the nail firing stroke.

[0101] Example 5 - A suturing assembly as described in Example 4, wherein the firing drive is configured to retract the first component during the retraction stroke.

[0102] Example 6 - A suturing assembly according to Example 4, wherein the firing drive is configured to retract the second component during the retraction stroke.

[0103] Example 7 - A suturing assembly according to Example 6, wherein the firing drive is configured to be operably attached to the second component during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the firing drive is configured to be operably detachable from the second component during the retraction stroke.

[0104] Example 8 - A suturing assembly according to Example 7, wherein the firing drive includes at least one locking arm (40913) configured to releasably couple the firing drive to a second component.

[0105] Example 9 - A suturing assembly as described in Example 6, wherein the first component is not connected to the firing drive and wherein the first component does not retract with the firing drive during the retraction stroke.

[0106] Example 10 - A suturing assembly according to Examples 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9, wherein the first component includes a protrusion (40927), wherein the second component includes a cutout (40947), when the sliding assembly is in a first configuration, the cutout engages with the protrusion to connect the second component to the first component, and wherein when the sliding assembly is in a second configuration, the cutout disengages from the protrusion.

[0107] Example 11 - A suturing assembly according to Example 10, wherein the guide of the first component includes a first guide rail, wherein the first component also includes a second guide rail extending from the base, wherein the second guide rail includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, and wherein the protrusion extends between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

[0108] Embodiment 12 - A suturing assembly according to any of Embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the second component comprises a plastic overmolded onto the metal of the guide rail.

[0109] Example 13 - A suturing assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 9, wherein the guide of the first component includes a first guide, wherein the first component also includes a second guide extending from the base, wherein the second guide includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the second guide is formed of metal, and wherein the first guide is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot and the second guide is positioned on a second lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

[0110] Example 14 - A suturing assembly according to Example 13, wherein the first component also includes a third guide rail extending from the base, wherein the third guide rail includes a third distally facing ramp, wherein the third distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the third guide rail is formed of plastic, and wherein the third guide rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

[0111] Example 15 - A suturing assembly according to Example 14, wherein the first guide rail is positioned closer to the longitudinal slot than the third guide rail.

[0112] Example 16 - A suturing assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 15, wherein the second component includes a knife (40945, 41156, 41549, 41629, 41832).

[0113] Example 17 - A suturing assembly according to any one of Examples 1 to 16, wherein the staple assembly is replaceable.

[0114] Embodiment 18-A suturing assembly includes a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes: a platform including a proximal end and a distal end; a longitudinal slot extending from the proximal end toward the distal end; and a plurality of nail cavities defined in the platform. The suturing assembly also includes a plurality of nail drivers that can be movably positioned in the nail cavities; a plurality of nails that can be removably stored in the nail cavities; and a slide assembly that can be configured in a first configuration and a second configuration. The slide assembly can move distally in a first configuration during a nail firing stroke. The slide assembly can move proximally in a second configuration during a retraction stroke. The slide assembly includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a base and at least one guide extending from the base. The guide includes a distally facing ramp. The distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke. The guide is composed of metal. The second component can move within the longitudinal slot. The first component is movable relative to the second component.

[0115] Example 19 - A suturing assembly according to Example 18, wherein the second component is made of plastic.

[0116] Example 20 - The suturing assembly of Example 18 or 19, wherein the first component and the second component are coupled when in the first configuration, and wherein the first component and the second component are decoupled when in the second configuration.

[0117] Embodiment 21 - The stapling assembly of embodiment 20 further comprises a first jaw; a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an unfastened position and a clamped position; and a firing drive movable distally during a staple firing stroke and movable proximally during a retraction stroke. The firing drive moves the sled assembly distally during the staple firing stroke.

[0118] Example 22 - A suturing assembly according to Example 21, wherein the firing drive is configured to retract the first component during the retraction stroke.

[0119] Example 23 - A suturing assembly according to Example 21, wherein the firing drive is configured to retract the second component during the retraction stroke.

[0120] Example 24 - A suturing assembly according to Example 23, wherein the firing drive is configured to be operably attached to the second component during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the firing drive is configured to be operably detachable from the second component during the retraction stroke.

[0121] Example 25 - A suturing assembly according to Example 24, wherein the firing drive includes at least one locking arm configured to releasably couple the firing drive to a second component.

[0122] Example 26 - A suturing assembly as described in Example 23, wherein the first component is not connected to the firing drive and wherein the first component does not retract with the firing drive during the retraction stroke.

[0123] Example 27 - A suturing assembly according to one of Examples 20 to 26, wherein the first component includes a protrusion, wherein the second component includes a cutout, and when the sliding assembly is in a first configuration, the cutout engages with the protrusion to connect the second component to the first component, and wherein when the sliding assembly is in a second configuration, the cutout disengages from the protrusion.

[0124] Example 28 - A suturing assembly according to Example 27, wherein the guide of the first component includes a first guide rail, wherein the first component also includes a second guide rail extending from the base, wherein the second guide rail includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, and wherein the protrusion extends between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

[0125] Embodiment 29 - A suturing assembly according to any of Embodiments 18 to 28, wherein the second component comprises a plastic overmolded onto the metal of the guide rail.

[0126] Example 30 - A suturing assembly according to any one of Examples 18 to 29, wherein the guide of the first component includes a first guide rail, wherein the first component also includes a second guide rail extending from the base, wherein the second guide rail includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the second guide rail is formed of metal, and wherein the first guide rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot and the second guide rail is positioned on a second lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

[0127] Example 31 - A suturing assembly according to Example 30, wherein the first component also includes a third guide rail extending from the base, wherein the third guide rail includes a third distally facing ramp, wherein the third distally facing ramp is configured to engage a nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the third guide rail is formed of plastic, and wherein the third guide rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

[0128] Example 32 - A suturing assembly according to Example 31, wherein the first guide rail is positioned closer to the longitudinal slot than the third guide rail.

[0129] Example 33 - A suturing assembly according to any one of Examples 18 to 32, wherein the second component includes a knife.

[0130] Example 34 - A suture assembly according to any one of Examples 18 to 33, wherein the suture assembly is replaceable.

[0131] Example 35 - A suturing system, comprising a suturing instrument and a staple cartridge. The suturing instrument comprises a first jaw; a second jaw, the second jaw being rotatable between a release position and a clamping position relative to the first jaw; and a firing driver, the firing driver being movable distally during a firing stroke and being movable proximally during a retraction stroke. The staple cartridge is positioned in the first jaw. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, a staple driver, a staple, and a slide assembly. The cartridge body comprises a platform, a longitudinal slot, a staple cavity defined in the platform, and a longitudinal recess. The platform comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The longitudinal recess extends transversely from the longitudinal slot. The staple driver is movably positioned in the staple cavity. The staple is removably stored in the staple cavity. The slide assembly comprises a ramp portion and a central nose portion. The ramp portion is configured to engage the staple driver to eject the staple from the staple cavity during a firing stroke. The ramp portion comprises metal. The central nose portion is movable in the longitudinal slot. The central nose portion includes a plastic portion and a knife. The plastic portion includes a transverse protrusion. The ramp portion and the central nose portion are moved from the proximal position to the distal position by the firing driver during the firing stroke. Only the central nose portion is retracted from the distal position to the proximal position by the firing driver during the retraction stroke. The transverse protrusion is configured to be supported by the longitudinal recess when the central nose portion moves between the proximal position and the distal position.

[0132] Example 36 - A suturing system according to Example 35, wherein the knife includes a metal blade.

[0133] Embodiment 37-A nail magazine comprises a magazine body, a nail driver, a nail and a sliding member assembly. The magazine body comprises a platform, a longitudinal slot and a nail cavity defined in the platform. The platform comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The longitudinal slot extends from the proximal end toward the distal end. The nail driver can be movably positioned in the nail cavity. The nail driver can move from an unfired position to a fired position. The nail is removably stored in the nail cavity. The sliding member assembly can be moved distally by the firing driver through a firing stroke to move the nail driver from the unfired position to the fired position. The sliding member assembly comprises a first part and a second part. The first part comprises a ramp. The ramp is configured to engage the nail driver and move the nail driver from the unfired position to the fired position to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the firing stroke. The second part can move in the longitudinal slot. The second part comprises a knife. The first part and the second part are moved from the proximal position to the distal position by the firing driver during the firing stroke. The first part and the second part are moved from the distal position toward the proximal position by the firing driver during the retraction stroke. When the first part engages the nail driver in the unfired position, the first part and the second part are operably disengaged from each other so that only the second part is retracted toward the proximal position by the firing driver during the retraction stroke.

[0134] The entire disclosures of the following patents are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 11,589,865, issued on February 28, 2023, entitled “METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARYCLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS”, U.S. Patent No. 6,978,921, issued on December 27, 2005, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM”, U.S. Patent No. 10,213,203, issued on February 26, 2019, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY WITHOUTA BOTTOM COVER”, U.S. Patent No. 10,213,203, issued on March 16, 2021, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION No. 10,945,727, entitled “STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND AFIRING LOCKOUT”, issued on February 1, 2022, U.S. Patent No. 11,234,698, entitled “STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CLAMP LOCKOUT AND AFIRING LOCKOUT”, issued on January 3, 2023, U.S. Patent No. 11,540,826, entitled “SURGICALSTAPLER END EFFECTOR SLED HAVING CARTRIDGE WALL SUPPORT FEATURE”, issued on May 28, 2019, U.S. Patent No. 10,299,792, entitled “FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS”, issued on September 24, 2013, U.S. Patent No. 8,540,133, entitled “STAPLECARTRIDGE”, issued on October 17, 2017, U.S. Patent No. 1 No. 9,788,835 entitled "AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING EJECTION OF SURGICAL FASTENERS FROM CARTRIDGES", and No. 10,105,142 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER WITH PLURALITY OF CUTTING ELEMENTS" issued on October 23, 2018.U.S. Patent No. 10,537,324, issued on January 21, 2020, entitled “STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES”, U.S. Patent No. 7,669,746, issued on March 2, 2010, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGES FOR FORMING STAPLES HAVING DIFFERING FORMED STAPLE HEIGHTS”, U.S. Patent No. 8,123,100, issued on February 28, 2012, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS INCLUDING A CARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLESTAPLE SIZES”, U.S. Patent No. 8,123,100, issued on August 5, 2008, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE HAVING MULTIPLE STAPLE SIZES FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING No. 7,407,075, entitled “SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAIN RELIEF”, U.S. Patent No. 10,085,749, issued on October 2, 2018, entitled “SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAIN RELIEF”, U.S. Patent No. 10,765,427, issued on September 8, 2020, entitled “METHOD FOR ARTICULATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT”, U.S. Patent No. 11,291,445, issued on April 5, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH INTEGRAL AUTHENTICATION KEYS”, U.S. Patent No. 10,194,866, issued on October 21, 2014, entitled “IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE HAVING ANON-UNIFORM No. 8,864,007 entitled “COMPRESSIBLE NON-FIBROUS ADJUNCTS”, No. 11,490,890 issued on November 8, 2022, entitled “THREE DIMENSIONAL ADJUNCTS”, No. 10,952,724 issued on March 23, 2021, entitled “LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES”, No. 9,770,245 issued on September 26, 2017, entitled “LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES”,No. 10,123,798, issued on November 13, 2018, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESSCOMPENSATOR COMPRISING CONTROLLED RELEASE AND EXPANSION”, No. 10,166,023, issued on January 1, 2019, entitled “METHOD OF APPLYING A BUTTRESS TO A SURGICALSTAPLER END EFFECTOR”, No. 11,207,065, issued on December 28, 2021, entitled “METHOD FOR FABRICATING SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS”, No. 8,141,762, issued on March 27, 2012, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLER COMPRISING A STAPLE POCKET”, No. 8,141,762, issued on November 4, 2014, entitled “END EFFECTOR WITH REDUNDANT No. 8,876,857, entitled “COMPOSITE DRIVEBEAM FOR SURGICAL STAPLING,” U.S. Patent No. 9,629,631, published on April 25, 2017, entitled “METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SEGMENTED ELECTRODES,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0346858, published on November 3, 2022, entitled “DRIVERS FOR FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES HAVING ROTARY DRIVE SCREWS,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0304680, published on September 29, 2022, entitled “METHOD OF USING A POWERED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM WITH A SURGICAL SYSTEM STAPLING DEVICE”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0304679, entitled “METHODSFOR CONTROLLING APOWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS” published on October 3, 2019,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367695, published on December 28, 2017, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0134077, published on May 14, 2015, entitled “SEALING MATERIALS FOR USE INSURGICAL STAPLING,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168615, published on June 21, 2018, entitled “METHOD OF DEFORMING STAPLES FROM TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLE CARTRIDGESWITH THE SAME SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168615, published on May 17, 2018, entitled “STAPLE FORMING POCKET CONFIGURATIONS FOR CIRCULAR SURGICAL STAPLER and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0132849, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on June 21, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168613, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on November 9, 2017, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0319205, entitled “POWERED END EFFECTOR ASSEMBLYWITH PIVOTABLE CHANNEL,” published on January 2, 2014, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0001231, entitled “FIRING SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,” published on April 7, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0132849, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND INCLUDE SEPARATE AND DISTINCT CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS,” published on June 21, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168613, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAWS THAT ARE PIVOTABLE ABOUT A FIXED AXISAND FOR ENDOSCOPIC PROCEDURES” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0095596,U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297199, published on October 22, 2015, entitled “ADAPTER ASSEMBLY WITH GIMBAL FOR INTERCONNECTING ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICALDEVICES AND SURGICAL LOADING UNITS, AND SURGICAL SYSTEMS THEREOF,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031351, published on February 3, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DIFFERENT ARTICULATION JOINT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCOMMODATING FLEXIBLE ACTUATORS,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031351, published on February 3, 2022, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH FLEXIBLE FIRING MEMBER ACTUATOR and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0031320, entitled “CONSTRAINTARRANGEMENTS”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2023 / 0119119, entitled “CABLE-DRIVEN ACTUATION SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOL ATTACHMENT”, published on April 20, 2023, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 071497, entitled “STAPLER CARTRIDGE WITH AN INTEGRAL KNIFE”, published on March 15, 2018, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 049211, entitled “WRIST ARCHITECTURE”, published on April 12, 2022, entitled “METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN AUTHENTICATION LOCKOUT IN A SURGICAL STAPLER WITH AREPLACEABLE No. 11,298,129 entitled “ROBOTIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSED LOOP FEEDBACK TECHNIQUES FOR ADVANCEMENT OF CLOSURE MEMBER DURING FIRING” issued on January 26, 2021,U.S. Patent No. 5,485,947, published on January 23, 1996, entitled “LINEAR STAPLING MECHANISM WITH CUTTING MEANS”, International Patent Publication No. WO2018 / 049206, published on March 15, 2018, entitled “STAPLER RELOAD DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249920, published on September 1, 2016, entitled “Surgical fastener applying apparatus”, U.S. Design Patent No. D974,560, published on January 3, 2023, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE”, U.S. Design Patent No. D967,421, published on October 18, 2022, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE”, and U.S. Design Patent No. D967,421, published on October 12, 2021, entitled “BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY FOR A SURGICAL FASTENER APPLYING APPARATUS” No. D933,220, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEASTONE MEDICAMENT,” U.S. Patent No. 9,839,420, issued on Dec. 12, 2017, entitled “TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING AT LEASTONE MEDICAMENT,” U.S. Patent No. 10,588,623, issued on Mar. 17, 2020, entitled “ADHESIVE FILM LAMINATE,” U.S. Patent No. 8,499,992, issued on Aug. 6, 2013, entitled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING COMPRESSION OF TISSUE,” U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0378427, issued on Dec. 1, 2022, entitled “STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING JAW MOUNTS,” and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2022 / 0378427, issued on Dec. 1, 2022, entitled “METHOD OF APPLYING A BUTTRESS TO A No. 10,349,939 entitled "SURGICAL STAPLER" and No. 9,386,988 entitled "RETAINER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR" issued on July 12, 2016.U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535, issued on July 7, 2015, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS”, and U.S. Patent No. 9,844,369, issued on December 19, 2017, entitled “SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS”.

[0135] The entire disclosures of the following patents are hereby incorporated herein by reference:

[0136] - U.S. Patent No. 5,403,312, issued on April 4, 1995, entitled "ELECTROSURGICALHEMOSTATIC DEVICE";

[0137] - U.S. Patent 7,000,818, issued on February 21, 2006, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS";

[0138] - U.S. Patent 7,422,139, issued on September 9, 2008, entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICALCUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILEPOSITION FEEDBACK";

[0139] - U.S. Patent 7,464,849, issued on December 16, 2008, entitled "ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS";

[0140] - U.S. Patent 7,670,334, issued on March 2, 2010, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR”;

[0141] - U.S. Patent 7,753,245, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS,” issued on July 13, 2010;

[0142] - U.S. Patent No. 8,393,514, entitled “SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE,” issued on March 12, 2013; - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 11 / 343,803, entitled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES,” now U.S. Patent No. 7,845,537;

[0143] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 031,573, filed February 14, 2008, entitled “SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES”;

[0144] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 031,873, filed on February 15, 2008, entitled “END EFFECTORS FOR ASURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 7,980,443;

[0145] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 235,782, entitled “MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,210,411;

[0146] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 235,972, entitled “MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,050,083.

[0147] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 249,117, entitled “POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,608,045;

[0148] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 647,100, filed December 24, 2009, entitled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICALCUTTING INSTRUMENTWITH ELECTRIC ACTUATORDIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY," now U.S. Patent No. 8,220,688;

[0149] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 893,461, filed on September 29, 2012, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,733,613;

[0150] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 036,647, filed on February 28, 2011, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT,” now U.S. Patent No. 8,561,870;

[0151] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 118,241, entitled “SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENTARRANGEMENTS,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535;

[0152] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 524,049, filed on June 15, 2012, entitled “ARTICULATABLE SURGICALINSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,101,358;

[0153] - U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 800,025, filed on March 13, 2013, entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUETHICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,” now U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481;

[0154] U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 800,067, filed on March 13, 2013, and entitled “STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUETHICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM,” now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263552;

[0155] - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007 / 0175955, filed January 31, 2006, entitled "SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENTWITH CLOSURE TRIGGERLOCKING MECHANISM"; and

[0156] - U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0264194, filed on April 22, 2010, entitled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH ANARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR," now U.S. Patent No. 8,308,040.

[0157] The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in conjunction with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. For example, the present disclosure contemplates that fasteners other than staples, such as clamps or tacks, may be deployed. Furthermore, the present disclosure contemplates the use of any suitable device for sealing tissue. An end effector according to the present disclosure may include an electrode configured to heat and seal tissue. Additionally, an end effector according to the present disclosure may apply vibration energy to seal tissue.

[0158] Although various devices have been described herein in conjunction with certain embodiments, many modifications and variations of these embodiments may also be implemented. In one or more embodiments, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner. Therefore, without limitation, specific features, structures, or characteristics shown or described in conjunction with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part with features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments. In addition, where materials for certain components are disclosed, other materials may also be used. In addition, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and multiple components may also be replaced with a single component to perform a given one or more functions. The above-described specific embodiments and the following claims are intended to cover all such modifications and variations.

[0159] It is noted that any reference signs included in the appended claims are used to reference exemplary embodiments / elements described in the present disclosure. Therefore, any such reference signs are not meant to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the appended claims.

[0160] The device disclosed herein can be designed to be discarded after a single use, or it can be designed to be used multiple times. However, in either case, the device can be used again after being conditioned after at least one use. Conditioning may include any combination of the following steps, including but not limited to disassembling the device, cleaning or replacing specific parts of the device, and then reassembling the device. Specifically, the conditioning facility and / or surgical team can disassemble the device, and after cleaning and / or replacing specific parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will understand that conditioning the device can utilize various techniques for disassembly, cleaning / replacement, and reassembly. The use of such techniques and the resulting repair device are within the scope of this application.

[0161] The devices disclosed herein can be processed before surgery. First, new or used instruments can be obtained and cleaned as needed. Then, the instruments can be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container (such as a plastic or TYVEK bag). The container and the instrument can then be placed in a radiation field that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, X-rays and / or high-energy electrons. Radiation can kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in a sterile container. The sealed container can keep the instrument sterile until the container is opened in a medical facility. The device can also be sterilized using any other technology known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide and / or steam.

[0162] While the present invention has been described as having an exemplary design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention using its general principles.

Claims

1. A suturing assembly, comprising: A warehouse body (40920, 41122), the warehouse body comprising: a platform (41126), the platform comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a longitudinal slot (41124) extending from the proximal end toward the distal end; and a plurality of staple cavities (41127) defined in the platform; a plurality of staple drivers (40921) movably positionable within the staple cavities; a plurality of staples (40929) removably stored in the staple cavities; and A sled assembly (40922, 41130) that is configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the sled assembly is movable distally in the first configuration during a staple firing stroke, wherein the sled assembly is movable proximally in the second configuration during a retraction stroke, and wherein the sled assembly comprises: A first component (40923, 41140), the first component comprising: base(40926,41142); and at least one guide rail (40925, 41140) extending from the base, wherein the guide rail includes a distally facing ramp (40924, 41146), wherein the distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, and wherein the guide rail is constructed of metal; and A second component (40940, 41150) is configured to move within the longitudinal slot, wherein the first component is configured to move relative to the second component.

2. The suturing assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The second component is made of plastic.

3. The suturing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first component and the second component are coupled when in the first configuration, and wherein the first component and the second component are decoupled when in the second configuration.

4. The suturing assembly according to claim 3, further comprising: First jaw (40931); a second jaw (40932) rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a clamped position; and A firing drive (40910) capable of moving distally during the staple firing stroke and proximally during the retraction stroke, wherein the firing drive moves the slide assembly distally during the staple firing stroke.

5. The suturing assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The firing drive is configured to retract the first component during the retraction stroke.

6. The suturing assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The firing drive is configured to retract the second component during the retraction stroke.

7. The suturing assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The firing drive is configured to be operably attached to the second component during the staple firing stroke, and wherein the firing drive is configured to be operably decoupled from the second component during the retraction stroke.

8. The suturing assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The firing drive includes at least one locking arm (40913) configured to releasably couple the firing drive to the second component.

9. The suturing assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The first component is not connected to the firing drive, and wherein the first component does not retract with the firing drive during the retraction stroke.

10. The suturing assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein: The first component includes a protrusion (40927), wherein the second component includes a cutout (40947), and when the slide assembly is in the first configuration, the cutout engages with the protrusion to connect the second component to the first component, and when the slide assembly is in the second configuration, the cutout disengages from the protrusion.

11. The suturing assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The guide rails of the first component include a first guide rail, wherein the first component also includes a second guide rail extending from the base, wherein the second guide rail includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, and wherein the protrusion extends between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

12. The suturing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The second component comprises plastic overmolded onto the metal of the rail.

13. The suturing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The guide rails of the first component include a first guide rail, wherein the first component also includes a second guide rail extending from the base, wherein the second guide rail includes a second distally facing ramp, wherein the second distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the second guide rail is formed of metal, and wherein the first guide rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot and the second guide rail is positioned on a second lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

14. The suturing assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The first component also includes a third guide rail extending from the base, wherein the third guide rail includes a third distally facing ramp, wherein the third distally facing ramp is configured to engage the nail driver to eject the nail from the nail cavity during the nail firing stroke, wherein the third guide rail is formed of plastic, and wherein the third guide rail is positioned on a first lateral side of the longitudinal slot.

15. The suturing assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The first rail is positioned closer to the longitudinal slot than the third rail.

16. The suturing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: The second component includes a knife (40945, 41156, 41549, 41629, 41832).

17. The suturing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The nail assembly is replaceable.

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