Panless clamp magazine organizer with holding features for clamp drivers and sleds

Description

BACKGROUND

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

[0002] US2021186490A1 describes a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body, staples removably stored in the cartridge body, and a sled configured to drive the staples out of the cartridge body is disclosed. In use, the staple cartridge is seatable in a jaw of a stapling instrument which is positioned opposite a movable jaw. The surgical instrument further comprises a closure lockout which prevents the movable jaw from being closed if the staple cartridge is not seated in the stapling instrument. The surgical instrument also comprises a firing lockout which prevents the stapling instrument from being fired if the sled is not in a proximal unfired position when the staple firing stroke is initiated. US2017055999A1 describes a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The staples and staple cavities include features which reduce friction forces between the staples and the staple cavities when the firing member ejects the staples from the staple cavities. Each of the staples comprises a base including a drive portion and staple legs extending from the base and, in at least one instance, each of the staple cavities includes a proximal guide and a distal guide configured to guide the staple legs of the staple positioned therein as it is ejected from the staple cavity. In certain instances, each of the staple cavities further includes an intermediate guide offset from the proximal guide and the distal guide. US2019314018A1 describes a fastener cartridge which can comprise fastener cavities arranged in longitudinal rows. A first fastener having a first configuration and a second fastener having a second configuration can be stored within a longitudinal row. First fasteners having a first configuration can be stored within a first longitudinal row and second fasteners having a second configuration can be stored within a second longitudinal row. Each first fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a first distal angle and each second fastener can have a proximal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second proximal angle and a distal leg, or leg portion, extending at a second distal angle. The first proximal angle can be different than the second proximal angle and / or the first distal angle can be different than the second distal angle. US2022167980A1 describes a loading unit for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The loading unit comprises a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw that comprising an anvil, and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other to grasp tissue. The second jaw comprises an elongated channel comprising retaining features, and a staple cartridge insertable into the elongated channel for assembly therewith. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge pan, and a sled translatable relative to the cartridge pan from a first position toward a second position. The retaining features are configured to resist a movement by the sled beyond the first position up to a predetermined force.SUMMARY

[0003] A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a plurality of staples, a plurality of staple drivers, and a cartridge body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end, a deck configured to support patient tissue, a longitudinal cartridge slot configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver of the surgical stapling instrument during a firing stroke, a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck, wherein the staples are removably stored within the staple cavities, a plurality of staple drivers movable within the staple cavities, and a retention feature. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled movable longitudinally through the cartridge body from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a firing stroke, wherein the sled comprises a ramp configured to lift the staple drivers toward the deck to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke, wherein the sled comprises a longitudinally-extending slot, wherein the retention feature supports at least one of the staple drivers in an unlifted position, and wherein the longitudinally-extending slot of the sled is configured to receive the retention feature during the firing stroke.LISTING OF THE FIGURES

[0004] Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling assembly comprising a shaft, a cartridge channel jaw configured to receive a staple cartridge therein, and an anvil jaw movable relative to the cartridge channel jaw in accordance with the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge for use with the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, a plurality of staple drivers, and a sled; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a proximal end of the staple cartridge of FIG. 2, wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a plurality of retention features configured to prevent the staple drivers from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body and configured to guide the sled as the sled is moved distally through a staple firing stroke; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional end view of the proximal end of the surgical stapling assembly of FIG. 1 illustrated with some components removed; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the staple drivers of the staple cartridge of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the sled of the staple cartridge of FIG. 2; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a proximal end of a staple cartridge in accordance with the present disclosure comprising a retention feature configured to hold a sled in an unfired position and configured to guide the sled during a portion of the firing stroke; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge in accordance with the present disclosure comprising a cartridge body, a sled, and a staple retainer configured to hold the sled in an unfired position prior to removal of the staple retainer from the cartridge body; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 8. wherein the staple retainer comprises a central fin positioned within a longitudinal slot of the cartridge body and the central fin comprises a proximal hook; FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a proximal end of the staple cartridge of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a proximal end of a staple cartridge in accordance with the present disclosure comprising a cartridge body and a sled positioned within the cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein the cartridge body comprises retention features engaged with the sled to hold the sled in the unfired position; FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the proximal end of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11 taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the sled of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11; FIG. 15 is an end view of a surgical stapling assembly comprising a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge installed within the cartridge channel in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body and a sled; and FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 15, wherein the cartridge body comprises outer walls each comprising a retention feature extending laterally inward toward a longitudinal slot of the cartridge body to hold the sled in an unfired position.

[0005] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0006] Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0007] The terms "proximal" and "distal" are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term "proximal" refers to the portion closest to the clinician and the term "distal" refers to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "up", and "down" may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and / or absolute.

[0008] 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 numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient's body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongate shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0009] FIGS. 1-6 depict a surgical stapling assembly 23000 configured to clamp, cut, and staple patient tissue during a surgical stapling procedure. The surgical stapling assembly 23000 comprises a shaft 23010, a cartridge channel jaw 23020, and an anvil jaw 23030 movable relative to the cartridge channel jaw 23020 to clamp patient tissue therebetween. The cartridge channel jaw 23020 may be movable relative to the anvil jaw 23030. The surgical stapling assembly 23000 further comprises a staple cartridge 23050 configured to be installed into a cartridge channel 23021 of the cartridge channel jaw 23020. The surgical stapling assembly 23000 further comprises a firing driver 23040 actuatable, or movable distally, relative to the cartridge channel jaw 23020 and the anvil jaw 23030. The firing driver 23040 may comprise an I-beam head comprising opposing jaw-camming members that is movable distally to staple and cut patient tissue captured between the staple cartridge assembly 23050 and the anvil jaw 23030 during a staple firing stroke. The surgical stapling assembly 23000 may be coupled to any suitable actuation interface such as, for example, a surgical robot and / or a surgical instrument handle that is actuatable to control the operation of the surgical stapling assembly 23000.

[0010] The cartridge channel 23021 comprises a bottom portion 23022 and channel sidewalls 23024 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23022 defining a channel cavity 23025 within which the staple cartridge 23050 is configured to be installed. The cartridge channel 23021 further comprises a longitudinal slot 23023 defined therein that is configured to receive at least a portion of the firing driver 23040 during the staple firing stroke. The anvil jaw 23030 comprises a tissue compression surface 23031, a plurality of forming pockets 23032, and a longitudinal slot 23033 configured to receive at least a portion of the firing driver 23040 during the staple firing stroke. Further to the above, the longitudinal slot 23023 of the cartridge jaw 23020 and the longitudinal slot 23033 of the anvil jaw 23030 are each configured to receive a jaw-camming member of the firing driver 23040, for example, during the staple firing stroke. The jaw-camming members are configured to hold the jaws 23020, 23030 in a clamped position during the firing stroke; however, in accordance with the present disclosure, a firing driver may not comprise jaw-camming members.

[0011] As discussed above, the staple cartridge assembly 23050 is configured to be installed in the cartridge channel jaw 23020. The staple cartridge 23050 comprises a cartridge body 23051, a sled 23080 movable from a proximal end 23055 of the cartridge body 23051 to a distal end 23056 of the cartridge body 23051 during a staple firing stroke, and a plurality of staple drivers 23090 liftable by the sled 23080 from an unfired position (FIG. 3) to a fired position to lift staples 23001 supported on the staple drivers 23090 toward the anvil jaw 23030 during the staple firing stroke. The staples 23001 are removably stored within the cartridge body 23051 and are configured to be formed by the forming pockets 23032 defined in the anvil jaw 23030. The cartridge body 23051 comprises a longitudinal slot 23054 configured to receive at least a portion of the firing driver 23040 during the staple firing stroke, a deck surface 23052 configured to support patient tissue thereon, and a plurality of staple cavities 23053 configured to removably store the staples 23001 therein. The sled 23080 is actuatable through the cartridge body 23051 to cammingly lift the staple drivers 23090 relative to the cartridge body 23051 to eject the staples 23001 from the staple cavities 23053.

[0012] Referring to FIG. 2, the staple cartridge 23050 is pan-less. In other words, the staple cartridge 23050 does not comprise a pan that extends around the bottom of the cartridge body 23051 that prevents the staple drivers 23090 and / or the sled 23080 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23051. Discussed in greater detail below, the staple cartridge 23050 further comprises retention features, such as retention features 23060, for example, configured to prevent the staple drivers 23090 and the sled 23080 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23051. As also discussed in greater detail below, the retention features 23060 are also configured to guide the sled 23080 as the sled 23080 is moved distally through the cartridge body 23051 during the staple firing stroke.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 4, the cartridge body 23051 further comprises a plurality of cartridge walls comprising inner walls 23057 defining the longitudinal slot 23054, intermediate walls 23058, and outer walls 23059 that are positioned against and supported by the channel sidewalls 23024 when the staple cartridge 23050 is seated in the cartridge jaw 23020. The sled 23080 comprises a bottom portion 23081 and a central rib 23086 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23081 that is configured to be received within the longitudinal slot 23054 of the cartridge body 23051. The central rib 23086 comprises a knife 23087 configured to cut tissue as the sled 23080 is moved distally during the staple firing stroke. The sled 23080 further comprises inner ramp wedges 23082 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23081 and outer ramp wedges 23083 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23081. The ramp wedges 23082, 23083 are configured to lift the staple drivers 23090 relative to the cartridge body 23051 during the staple firing stroke to drive the staples supported thereon. Discussed in greater detail below, the outer ramped wedges comprise outer walls 23084 including retention slots, notches, and / or grooves, 23085 defined therein configured to guide the sled 23080 within the cartridge body 23051 during the staple firing stroke and hold the sled 23080 in the cartridge body 23051.

[0014] As discussed above, the retention features 23060 are configured to prevent the staple drivers 23090 and the sled 23080 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23051. The retention features 23080 are arranged in a longitudinal array on each lateral side of the cartridge body 23051. Referring to FIG. 3, each side of the cartridge body 23051 has at least one retention feature 23090 configured to releasably hold the sled 23080 in its proximal unfired position. When the sled 23080 is pushed distally by the firing driver, the sled 23080 releases from the proximal-most retention features 23090 so that the sled 23080 can be advanced distally through the staple firing stroke. Each other retention feature 23060 is configured to hold a staple driver 23090 in an unlifted position and, as the sled 23080 passes thereby, release the staple driver 23090 so that the sled 23080 can lift the staple driver 23090 into a fired position. Such retention features 23060 also hold and guide the sled 23080 in the cartridge body 23051. Each retention feature 23060 comprises at least one protrusion extending inwardly toward the longitudinal slot 23054 from an outer wall 23059; however, the retention features 23060 can comprise any suitable configuration. Referring to FIG. 6, the retention features 23060 extend into notches 23085 defined in the sled 23080 which prevent the sled 23080 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23051. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the notches 23085 extend the entire longitudinal length of the sled 23080 so as to allow the sled 23080 to simultaneously engage two or more retention features 23060 at all points during the staple firing stroke, as discussed in greater detail below.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 5, each staple driver 23090 comprises a plurality of staple support columns 23091 configured to support the staples 23001 thereon and web portions 23092 connecting the staple support columns 23091. Each support column 23091 comprises a seat, or cradle, that receives a base of a staple 23001. Each staple driver 23090 further comprises at least one lift cam surface 23093 configured to be engaged by the ramp wedges 23082, 23083 of the sled 23080 during the staple firing stroke to lift the staple driver 23090 relative to the cartridge body 23051. Each staple driver 23090 comprises an outer driver wall 23094 defined by the staple support column 23091 nearest the outer wall 23059 of the cartridge body 23051. A notch 23095 is defined in the outer driver wall 23094 and is configured to receive a retention feature 23060 therein when the staple driver 23090 is in its unfired, or unlifted, position such that the retention feature 23060 holds the staple driver 23090 in the cartridge body 23051 without a cartridge pan extending under the bottom of the cartridge body 23051. As the staple drivers 23090 are lifted upwardly by the sled 23080, the staple drivers 23090 disengage from the retention features 23060.

[0016] Further to the above, referring again to FIG. 3, two retention features 23060 releasably hold the sled 23080 in its unfired position; however, any suitable number of retention features 23060 are contemplated for holding the sled 23080 in its unfired position. As can also be seen in FIG. 3, retention features 23060 extend inwardly from the outer walls 23059 into the staple cavities 23053. Such retention features 23060, as discussed above, are configured to hold the staple drivers 23090 in their unfired positions and support the sled 23080 during the staple firing stroke. Each staple driver 23090 can be held in its unfired, unlifted position using two retention features 23060 - one extending laterally inwardly toward the longitudinal slot 23054 from the outer wall 23059 and one extending laterally outwardly toward the outer wall 23059 from the inner wall 23057. The retention feature 23060 extending laterally inwardly from the inner wall 23057 may fit within a corresponding notch defined in an inner wall of a staple support column 23091 adjacent the inner wall 23057 of the cartridge body 23051.

[0017] As the sled 23080 is actuated through the staple firing stroke, the ramp wedges 23082, 23083 of the sled 23080 lift the staple drivers 23090 from their unfired, unlifted position to a fired, lifted position to eject the staples 23001 from the cartridge body 23051. As the ramp wedges 23082, 23083 lift the staple drivers 23090, the notches 23085 defined in the sled 23080 are engaged with one or more retention features 23060 such that the retention features 23060 guide the sled 23080 through the firing stroke and hold the sled 23080 in the cartridge body 23051. In accordance with the present disclosure, at least two retention features 23060 may engage with the sled 23080 for any given position of the sled 23080 along its firing stroke. Further, more than two retention features 23060 may engage with the sled 23080 for any given position of the sled 23080. The sled 23080 can simultaneously lift two or more staples 23001 in each outer longitudinal row of staple cavities and can be concurrently engaged with the retention features 23060 associated with the staple drivers 23090 being driven, or lifted.

[0018] Further to the above, the retention features 23060 can be created using any suitable process. Referring to FIG. 3, the creation of the retention features 23060 in the cartridge body 23051 may create divots, recesses, and / or dimples in the outside lateral surfaces of the cartridge body 23051 that, as discussed below, can be used to advantageous effect. For instance, the channel sidewalls 23024 of the cartridge jaw comprise bumps that that are aligned with, and received within, the divots when the staple cartridge 23050 is installed in the channel cavity 23025 that releasably hold the staple cartridge 23050 in the channel cavity 23025. Moreover, the bumps extending from the channel sidewalls 23024 support the retention features 23060 which, among other things, assist in preventing the staple drivers 23090 from releasing prematurely. With or without such bumps, the width of the staple cartridge 23050 can be configured such that the retention features 23060 are at least partially squeezed inwardly by the channel sidewalls 23024 upon the installation of the staple cartridge 23050 into the cartridge channel 23021.

[0019] The retention features 23060 may be formed using a thermoplastic heat staking process. The retention features 23060 may be formed after the installation of the staple drivers 23090 into the cartridge body 23051. The retention features 23060 may be formed before the staple drivers 23090 are installed into the cartridge body 23051. The staple drivers 23090 can be pressed up into the staple cavities 23053 from the bottom of the cartridge body 23051 and the retention features 23060 flex laterally outwardly until the staple drivers 23090 are fully installed in the cartridge body 23051. At such point, the retention features 23060 can reassume their original position, or at least resiliently return toward their original position, to hold the staple drivers 23090 in the cartridge body 23051.

[0020] Such retention features can help reduce the tendency of a sled and / or staple drivers to become dislodged from the staple cartridge prior to the staple cartridge being installed in the stapling instrument. When a fired staple cartridge assembly is uninstalled from the cartridge channel, moreover, the retention features can prevent the already-fired staple drivers from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body. Additionally, the sled of the staple cartridge can be configured to be slid into the proximal end of the cartridge body. The notches defined in the sled and corresponding retention features can align the sled relative to the cartridge body when the sled is installed into the cartridge body.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a staple cartridge 23100 comprising a cartridge body 23151 and the sled 23080. The cartridge body 23151 comprises a deck 23152, a plurality of staple cavities 23153, and a longitudinal slot 23154. The cartridge body 23151 further comprises a proximal end 23155 and outer cartridge body walls 23159. The outer cartridge body walls 23159 comprise elongate retention features, or rails, 23160 extending laterally inwardly toward the longitudinal slot 23154. The notches 23085 of the sled 23080 receive the retention rails 23160 in the unfired, or unadvanced, position of the sled 23080. In accordance with the present disclosure, the retention rails 23160 may be formed using a thermoplastic heat staking process, for example, that pushes inwardly on the outside walls 23159 of the cartridge body 23151. In any event, the retention rails 23160 support the sled 23080 in its proximal unfired position and also guide the sled 23080 during the initial part of the staple firing stroke. The cartridge body 23151 may further comprise retention features 23060 that releasably hold the staple drivers in their unfired positions and support and guide the sled 23080 during the remainder of the staple firing stroke.

[0022] In accordance with the present disclosure, a sled of a staple cartridge may become dislodged when the staple cartridge is shipped and / or handled prior to being fully installed in a cartridge channel of a stapling instrument. For instance, the sled may be bumped distally when being handled by a technician and / or bumped distally against a firing member when the staple cartridge is installed proximally into a stapling instrument. As described in greater detail below, a staple cartridge is provided which may prevent the sled from being moved out of its unfired position until the staple cartridge is fully seated in a cartridge channel.

[0023] FIGS. 9-11 depict a staple cartridge 23200 for use with a surgical stapling assembly. The staple cartridge 23200 can be configured to be installed in a cartridge channel jaw of a surgical stapling assembly. The staple cartridge 23200 comprises a cartridge body 23210 and a plurality of staples removably stored in the cartridge body 23210 that are ejected from the cartridge body 23210 by a sled 23230 as the sled 23230 is translated through the cartridge body 23210 from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke. The cartridge body 23210 comprises a cartridge deck 23211 and a longitudinal slot 23212 defined in the cartridge deck 23211 that is configured to receive at least a portion of the sled 23230 as well as a portion of a firing driver which pushes the sled 23230 distally during the staple firing stroke.

[0024] The sled 23230 comprises a bottom portion 23231 and a plurality of ramped wedges 23233 extending upwardly into the cartridge body 23210 from the bottom portion 23231. The ramped wedges 23233 are configured to lift staple drivers and eject staples from the cartridge body 23210 during the staple firing stroke. The sled 23230 further comprises a central rib 23234 configured to be received within the longitudinal slot 23212 and a distal nose portion 23235.

[0025] The staple cartridge 23200 further comprises a staple retainer 23250 that is installed onto, or attached to, the cartridge body 23210 prior to the staple cartridge 23200 being shipped to serve as a sterile barrier to staples positioned in the cartridge body 23210 and to prevent the staples from falling out of the top of the cartridge body 23210. The staple retainer 23250 is configured to be removed from the cartridge body 23210 prior to firing the staples of the staple cartridge 23200. In accordance with the present disclosure, the staple retainer 23250 can be removed after fully installing the staple cartridge 23200 in a cartridge channel jaw. A clinician can push downwardly on the staple retainer 23250 to seat the staple cartridge 23200 in the cartridge channel jaw. The staple retainer 23250 could also be removed prior to the staple cartridge 23200 being installed into a cartridge channel.

[0026] The staple retainer 23250 is positioned against the cartridge deck 23211 and comprises a proximal end 23251, a distal end 23252, and retention arms 23253 configured to releasably hold the staple retainer 23250 to the cartridge body 23210. The staple retainer 23250 further comprises a central fin 23254 extending down into the longitudinal slot 23212. The central fin 23254 comprises a proximal hook 23255 configured to engage the distal nose portion 23235 of the sled 23230 such that the staple retainer 23250 holds the sled 23230 in its unfired position and prevents the sled 23230 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23210. The central fin 23254 further comprises an upper ramped edge 23256 positioned adjacent the central rib 23234 that prevents the sled 23230 from being moved distally. In accordance with the present disclosure, a user can pry the staple retainer 23250 off of the cartridge body 23210 by lifting on the distal end 23252 of the staple retainer 23250 and rotating the staple retainer 23250 relative to the cartridge body 23210 and the sled 23230. This rotation can allow the staple retainer 23250 to disengage the distal nose portion 23235 of the sled 23230 so as to not accidentally disturb the position of the sled 23230 during removal of the staple retainer 23250. The user can pull the staple retainer 23250 distally relative to the sled 23230 when removing the staple retainer 23250 so as to not disturb the position of the sled 23230.

[0027] Regardless of the manner in which the staple retainer 23250 is detached from the cartridge body 23210, the staple retainer 23250 is configured to positively retain the sled 23230 in its unfired position by preventing vertical and longitudinal movement of the sled 23230 relative to the cartridge body 23210. Referring to FIG. 9, the sled 23230 comprises a retention slot, or recess, 23232 defined in the bottom thereof and the proximal hook 23255 is configured to be received within the retention slot 23232 when the staple retainer 23250 is attached to the cartridge body 23210. Such an arrangement can also prevent inadvertent proximal movement of the sled 23230 relative to the cartridge body 23210. The proximal hook 23255 can engage the sled 23230 in a snap-fit manner.

[0028] FIGS. 11-14 depict a staple cartridge 23300 that is configured to be installed in a cartridge channel of a surgical stapling assembly. The staple cartridge 23300 comprises a cartridge body 23310, a plurality of staple drivers 23320, and a plurality of staples configured to be ejected from the cartridge body 23310 by the staple drivers 23320 during a staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 23300 further comprises a sled 23330 movable distally through the cartridge body 23310 from an unfired position (illustrated in FIGS. 11-14) to a fired position during the staple firing stroke to lift the staple drivers 23320 and eject the staples.

[0029] The cartridge body 23310 comprises a longitudinal slot 23311 configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver therein. The cartridge body 23310 further comprises a proximal end 23312 within which the sled 23330 is positioned in an unfired configuration and inner cartridge walls 23313 defining the longitudinal slot 23311. The inner cartridge walls 23313 each comprise a retention feature 23314 extending laterally inwardly into the longitudinal slot 23311 to prevent the sled 23330 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23310 and from moving out of the unfired position prior to being fired.

[0030] The sled 23330 comprises a bottom portion 23331 and ramped wedges 23332 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23331 and into the cartridge body 23310. The ramped wedges 23332 are configured to lift the staple drivers 23320 to eject the staples supported thereon as the sled 23330 is moved distally through the cartridge body 23310 during the staple firing stroke. The sled 23330 further comprises a central portion 23333 that moves within the longitudinal slot 23311 of the cartridge body 23310 as the sled 23330 is moved distally. The cartridge body 23310 further comprises retention features, or shoulders, 23314 that extend inwardly toward the central portion 23333 of the sled 23330 that releasably hold the sled 23330 in its proximal unfired position. More specifically, the retention features 23314 extend into retention cavities 23334 defined in the central portion 23333 of the sled 23330 when the sled 23330 is in its unfired position. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the retention features 23314 comprise inwardly-extending ledges extending from the inner cartridge walls 23313. The retention features 23314 can be snap-fit, friction-fit, and / or press-fit into the retention cavities 23334, for example. When a firing driver of a surgical stapling assembly is advanced distally into contact with the sled 23330 at the beginning of the staple firing stroke, the firing driver pushes the sled 23330 distally out of engagement with the retention features 23334.

[0031] As discussed above, referring again to FIG. 8, a retainer can be removably attached to a cartridge body of a staple cartridge that, among other things, prevents a sled from being accidentally moved within the cartridge body while the staple cartridge is being shipped, handled, and / or installed in a stapling instrument. In the event that the sled is moved distally accidentally, the sled may inadvertently eject, or at least partially eject, some of the proximal-most staples stored in the staple cartridge. Moreover, the sled may unlock the staple firing drive of a stapling instrument when the staple cartridge is installed in the stapling instrument and the sled is in its proximal unfired position. If, however, the sled is not in its unfired position when the staple cartridge is installed in the stapling instrument, the sled may not unlock the firing drive and the stapling instrument may stay in a locked state until the staple cartridge is replaced. U.S. Patent No. 6,988,649, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT, which issued on June 24, 2006, contains further information.

[0032] In accordance with the present disclosure, the sled 23330 can be movable from a shipped position to an unfired, ready-to-fire position when a staple retainer is removed from the staple cartridge. The retention features 23314 of the cartridge body 23310 can engage with the sled 23330 when the sled 23330 is in the shipped position. When the staple retainer is lifted away from the cartridge body 23310, the staple retainer holds onto the sled 23330 and pulls the sled 23330 distally out of its shipped position into an unfired ready-to-fire position. In effect, the staple retainer pulls the sled 23330 out of engagement with the retention features 23314. The retention features 23314 can be configured to be broken by the staple retainer so as to place the sled 23330 in the ready to fire position. The act of breaking the retention features 23314 can reposition the sled 23330 from its shipped position to another relative longitudinal position where the sled 23330 is ready to be fired. In accordance with the present disclosure, the cartridge body 23310 may comprise a stop that is contacted by the sled 23330 when the sled 23330 is pulled distally which stops the distal movement of the sled 23330.

[0033] FIGS. 15 and 16 depict a surgical stapling assembly 23400 comprising a staple cartridge 23401 and a cartridge channel 23410 within which the staple cartridge 23401 is configured to be installed. The cartridge channel 23410 comprises a bottom portion 23411 and channel sidewalls 23412 extending upwardly from the bottom portion 23411. The staple cartridge 23401 comprises a cartridge body 23420, staple drivers, staples, and a sled 23440 movable through the cartridge body 23420 from an unfired position to a fired position during a staple firing stroke. The sled 23440 comprises a bottom portion 23441 and sled ramps 23442 extending upwardly into the cartridge body 23420 that are configured to lift the staple drivers during the staple firing stroke to eject the staples from the cartridge body 23420.

[0034] The cartridge body 23420 comprises a deck 23421 and a longitudinal slot 23422 configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver therein during the staple firing stroke. The cartridge body 23420 comprises inner cartridge walls 23425 defining the longitudinal slot 23422, intermediate cartridge walls 23426, and outer cartridge walls 23427 that are positioned adjacent to and supported by the channel sidewalls 23412 when the staple cartridge 23401 is installed in the cartridge channel 23410. In accordance with the present disclosure, the staple cartridge 23401 may not comprise a pan to hold drivers, staples, and / or the sled 23440 in the cartridge body 23420 when the staple cartridge assembly 23401 is not installed in the cartridge channel 23410. The outer cartridge walls 23427 each comprise a ledge tab 23428 extending laterally inwardly toward the longitudinal slot 23422 configured to prevent the sled 23440 from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body 23420. The cartridge channel 23410 comprises notches 23413 defined therein that are configured to receive the ledge tabs 23428 when the staple cartridge 23401 is seated in the cartridge channel 23410. The ledge tabs 23428 of the staple cartridge 23401 are closely received within the notches 23413 of the cartridge channel 23410 and are restrained from moving horizontally, longitudinally, and downwardly with respect to the cartridge channel 23410 which can prevent or at least limit relative movement between the staple cartridge 23401 and the cartridge channel 23410.

[0035] Many of the surgical instrument systems described herein are motivated by an electric motor; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated in any suitable manner. In accordance with the present disclosure, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be motivated by a manually-operated trigger, for example. The motors disclosed herein may comprise a portion or portions of a robotically controlled system. Moreover, any of the end effectors and / or tool assemblies disclosed herein can be utilized with a robotic surgical instrument system. U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535, for example, discloses several examples of a robotic surgical instrument system in greater detail.

[0036] The surgical instrument systems described herein have been described in connection with the deployment and deformation of staples; however, the present disclosure may not be so limited. The present disclosure envisions that fasteners other than staples can be deployed, such as clamps or tacks, for example. Moreover, the present disclosure envisions utilizing any suitable means for sealing tissue. An end effector in accordance with the present disclosure can comprise electrodes configured to heat and seal the tissue. Also, an end effector in accordance with the present disclosure can apply vibrational energy to seal the tissue.

[0037] Although various devices have been described herein in connection with certain embodiments, modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part, with the features, structures or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.

[0038] The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, a device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps including, but not limited to, the disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces of the device, and subsequent reassembly of the device. In particular, a reconditioning facility and / or surgical team can disassemble a device and, after cleaning and / or replacing particular parts of the device, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning / replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

[0039] The devices disclosed herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and, when necessary, cleaned. The instrument may then 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 instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, and / or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta radiation, gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, plasma peroxide, and / or steam.

[0040] It is worthy to note that any reference numbers included in the appended claims are used to reference exemplary embodiments / elements described in the present disclosure. Accordingly, any such reference numbers are not meant to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the appended claims.

[0041] It is worthy to note that any reference numbers included in the appended claims are used to reference exemplary embodiments / elements described in the present disclosure. Accordingly, any such reference numbers are not meant to limit the scope of the subject matter recited in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly (23050, 23100) for use with a surgical stapling instrument (23000), wherein the staple cartridge assembly comprises: a plurality of staples (23001); a plurality of staple drivers (23090); a cartridge body (23051), comprising: a proximal end (23055); a distal end (23056); a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end; a deck (23052) configured to support patient tissue; a longitudinal cartridge slot (23054) configured to receive at least a portion of a firing driver (23040) of the surgical stapling instrument during a firing stroke; a plurality of staple cavities (23053) defined in the deck, wherein the staples are removably stored within the staple cavities; and a retention feature (23060); and a sled (23080) movable longitudinally through the cartridge body from a proximal unfired position to a distal fired position during a firing stroke, wherein the sled comprises a ramp (23082, 23083) configured to lift the staple drivers toward the deck to eject the staples from the staple cavities during the firing stroke, wherein the sled comprises a longitudinally-extending slot (23085), wherein the retention feature supports at least one of the staple drivers in an unlifted position, characterized in that the longitudinally-extending slot of the sled is configured to receive the retention feature during the firing stroke.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the longitudinally-extending slot is defined in the ramp.

3. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 1, wherein the ramp comprises a first ramp, wherein the sled further comprises a second ramp, wherein the first ramp is positioned intermediate the longitudinal cartridge slot and the second ramp, wherein the longitudinally-extending slot is defined in the second ramp, and wherein the longitudinally-extending slot faces away from the longitudinal cartridge slot.

4. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the cartridge body further comprises an outer cartridge wall (23059) defining a lateral side of the cartridge body, wherein the retention feature comprises a projection that extends inwardly from the outer cartridge wall toward the sled, and wherein the projection is positioned within the longitudinally-extending slot when the sled is advanced distally toward the distal fired position during the firing stroke.

5. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 4, wherein the projection is integrally formed with the outer cartridge wall.

6. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the cartridge body further comprises an outer cartridge wall (23059) defining a lateral side of the cartridge body, wherein the retention feature comprises a first projection and a second projection, wherein the first projection and the second projection extend inwardly from the outer cartridge wall toward the longitudinal cartridge slot, wherein the second projection is positioned distally with respect to the first projection, wherein the first projection is positioned within the longitudinally-extending slot of the sled when the sled is in the proximal unfired position, and wherein the second projection is positioned with the longitudinally-extending slot of the sled when the sled is advanced distally toward the distal fired position during the firing stroke.

7. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 6, wherein the second projection is configured to releasably hold one of the staple drivers in an unlifted position.

8. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 6 or 7, wherein the first projection is configured to releasably hold one of the staple drivers in an unlifted position.

9. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the first projection and the second projection are integrally formed with the outer cartridge wall.

10. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the cartridge body further comprises: a bottom; and an outer cartridge wall defining a lateral side of the cartridge body, wherein the retention feature comprises a plurality of projections arranged along a longitudinal projection axis, wherein each projection extends inwardly from the outer cartridge wall toward the longitudinal cartridge slot, and wherein the projections prevent the staple drivers from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body.

11. The staple cartridge assembly of Claim 9, wherein the projections are integrally formed with the outer cartridge wall.

12. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein the cartridge body further comprises a longitudinal cartridge wall (23059), wherein the retention feature comprises a projection that extends inwardly from the longitudinal cartridge wall toward the sled, and wherein the projection is positioned within the longitudinally-extending slot when the sled is advanced distally toward the distal fired position during the firing stroke.

13. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the retention feature releasably secures at least one of the staple drivers in an unlifted position.

14. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the retention feature is formed with a thermal staking process.

15. The staple cartridge assembly of Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14, wherein the retention feature is configured to releasably hold the sled in the proximal unfired position.