Surgical staple cartridge and surgical end effector assembly having bumps - Patents.com

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surgical staple cartridge and a surgical end effector assembly having bumps, the bumps being provided on the surgical staple cartridge and / or staple anvil portion, the bumps being positioned and sized to limit rotation of the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil portion relative to one another in a closed configuration and to define a gap between the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil, the gap limiting the maximum pressure applied to tissue by the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil to prevent tissue from being overly squeezed and flowing into areas without staple line coverage or being unevenly squeezed in areas having staple line coverage thereby affecting tissue seal quality. The present disclosure also provides a surgical instrument comprising the surgical staple cartridge or the surgical end effector assembly.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of surgical instruments, and more particularly to the field of surgical staplers / staplers. [Background technology]

[0002] Surgical staplers / anastomotic instruments are typically used to deploy staples into tissue to reduce or eliminate tissue bleeding and require sealing of tissue as it is cut, for example, to promote healing. Surgical staplers / anastomotic instruments (e.g., linear staplers / anastomotic instruments, right angle staplers / anastomotic instruments) can include an end effector assembly having a staple cartridge portion and a staple anvil portion, the staple cartridge portion including a staple cartridge configured to removably store surgical staples therein, and the staple anvil portion including staple forming pockets for forming the staples. Such surgical staplers / anastomotic instruments generally include a closure system that moves one of the staple cartridge and the staple anvil relative to the other.

[0003] As described above, the surgical stapler / stapler can be configured to close the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion of the end effector assembly into a closed configuration to capture tissue between the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion. In the closed configuration, the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion together apply a clamping force to the tissue to hold the tissue between the staple anvil portion and the staple cartridge portion. The staples are then driven to be deployed from the staple cartridge and deformed against the staple forming pockets of the staple anvil portion, thereby securing the tissue layers together. The staples are generally deployed at some staple lines to more securely secure the tissue layers together. The end effector assembly may or may not include a cutting member that can be advanced between the staple lines to cut the tissue after the tissue layers are sealed together.

[0004] In existing surgical staplers / stallers, when tissue is clamped between the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion, the tissue may shift due to excessive or uneven clamping force, causing the tissue to move away from or stray from areas having staple line coverage, resulting in an inability to properly seal the tissue. Alternatively, uneven pressure from one end to the other that may be formed between the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion may result in uneven staple lines, thus affecting healing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for an improved surgical staple cartridge and surgical end effector assembly to eliminate or reduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0006] The present disclosure provides improved surgical staple cartridges and surgical end effector assemblies, and surgical instruments having the surgical staple cartridge or surgical end effector assembly, which may be linear staple / staplers, right angle staple / staplers, and other similar surgical instruments.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body comprising a tissue contacting surface and a plurality of staple cavities formed therein for seating a surgical staple, each staple cavity forming a staple cavity opening in the tissue contacting surface, the staple cartridge further comprising a first bump provided on the tissue contacting surface and located adjacent a first end of the cartridge body, the cartridge body further comprising a channel for passage of a retaining pin therethrough, the channel formed in the cartridge body and located adjacent the first end, the channel forming a channel opening in the tissue contacting surface.

[0008] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first row of staple cavities and a second row of staple cavities extending along a longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, and each staple cavity opening is provided with a protrusion for grasping tissue, the protrusion partially surrounding the staple cavity opening.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bump includes a circumferential wall protruding from the tissue contact surface and extending partially circumferentially around the channel opening, and both ends of the circumferential wall are integrally connected to two adjacent protrusions, respectively, via transition sections.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition section is a sloped section.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the transition section is a straight section or a curved section.

[0012] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the channel is laterally offset relative to the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities such that a common central axis of the channel and the circumferential wall is located laterally outboard of the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bump comprises a straight portion and an annular portion, the straight portion protruding from the tissue contact surface and being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, the annular portion protruding from the tissue contact surface and extending circumferentially around the entire circumference of the channel opening, the straight portion and the annular portion being integrally connected to each other, and the height of the straight portion in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface is greater than the height of the annular portion in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the annular portion is integrally connected to two adjacent protrusions.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the annular portion is equal to the height of the protrusion.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the thickness of the linear longitudinal portion of the cartridge body gradually decreases away from the tissue contact surface.

[0017] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the channel is laterally offset relative to the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities such that a common central axis of the channel and the annular portion is located laterally outboard of the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities, while the straight portion is generally centered laterally relative to the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities.

[0018] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the surgical staple cartridge further includes a second bump protruding from the tissue contacting surface and located adjacent a second end of the cartridge body opposite the first end, and a plurality of staple cavities are located between the first bump and the second bump.

[0019] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bump has a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface and the second bump has a second height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface, the first height being greater than or equal to the second height.

[0020] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical end effector assembly, comprising: a staple cartridge portion comprising a surgical staple cartridge according to any of the previously described embodiments; and a staple anvil portion, wherein the staple anvil portion and the staple cartridge portion are configured to form an open configuration and a closed configuration for capturing tissue therebetween, and a plurality of staple forming pockets for forming a plurality of surgical staples are formed in the tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil portion.

[0021] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the staple anvil portion includes a staple anvil portion bump located adjacent an end of the staple anvil portion remote from the first bump.

[0022] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first bump has a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body, and the staple anvil portion bump has a second height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil portion, the first height being greater than or equal to the second height.

[0023] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the surgical staple cartridge further includes a second bump protruding from the tissue contacting surface and located adjacent a second end of the cartridge body opposite the first end, wherein a plurality of staple cavities are located between the first bump and the second bump, the first bump having a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface, and the second bump having a second height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface.

[0024] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the staple anvil portion includes a third bump provided on the tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil portion at a position opposite the second bump such that the third bump can engage the second bump in the closed configuration.

[0025] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the third bump has a third height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil portion, and the first height is greater than or equal to the sum of the second height and the third height.

[0026] In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a surgical instrument comprising a surgical staple cartridge according to any of the previous embodiments or a surgical end effector assembly according to any of the previous embodiments.

[0027] The surgical staple cartridge provided by the present disclosure has a bump feature that is positioned and sized to define a gap between the surgical staple cartridge and the staple anvil and limit rotation of the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil relative to one another in a closed configuration, the gap limits the maximum pressure applied to tissue by the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil to prevent tissue from being over-squeezed and flowing into areas without staple line coverage or from being unevenly squeezed within areas with staple line coverage, thereby affecting tissue seal quality. In addition, the structure of the bump can also prevent tissue from flowing under squeeze into areas without staple line coverage, thereby further improving tissue seal quality. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] The present disclosure and its features and advantages will be better understood by referring to the following description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the following description and drawings, in which the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some parts may be omitted and some drawings may be exaggerated or sketched for clarity and conciseness. [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary front view of a surgical staple cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] 13 is an exemplary front view of a surgical staple cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an exemplary perspective view of a bump of a surgical staple cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bump being located adjacent to a retaining pin channel; [Figure 4] 4 shows an exemplary front view of the bump of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 13 is an exemplary perspective view of a bump of a surgical staple cartridge according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the bump being located adjacent to a retaining pin channel; FIG. [Figure 6] 6 shows an exemplary front view of the bump of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an exemplary side view of a surgical staple cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an exemplary side view of a surgical staple cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 9] 1 illustrates an exemplary side view of a bump on a surgical staple cartridge in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the bump being located adjacent the end away from the retaining pin channel; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Next, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. What is described in this specification is only an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure, and a person skilled in the art can imagine other ways to implement the present disclosure based on the exemplary embodiments described in this specification, which also fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a front view of a surgical staple cartridge 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the figure, the surgical staple cartridge 10 includes a cartridge body 11 having a tissue contacting surface 111 that faces and contacts tissue in use, and a plurality of staple cavities 112 formed therein, the staple cavities 112 being capable of housing surgical staples for suturing tissue, and upon firing, the surgical staples are ejected from the staple cavities 112 to penetrate the tissue and are formed at a staple anvil portion disposed on the opposite side of the staple cartridge to seal the tissue. The cartridge body 11 also includes a retaining pin channel 113 through which a retaining pin passes and then penetrates the tissue to hold the tissue when suturing the tissue. The retaining pin channel 113 is formed in the cartridge body 11 and is located adjacent to a first end (shown as the top end in the figures) of the cartridge body 11, the channel 113 defining a channel opening in the tissue contacting surface 111.

[0031] The plurality of staple cavities 112 are arranged in rows and generally define an area having staple line coverage in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge body. The plurality of staple cavities are arranged in two or more rows (shown in the figures as two rows) of staple cavities extending along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, with each staple cavity opening including a protrusion 1121 to assist in gripping tissue, the protrusion 1121 being arranged to partially surround the staple cavity opening.

[0032] The surgical staple cartridge 10 further includes a bump 13A disposed on the tissue contact surface 111 and located adjacent to the first end of the cartridge body 11. When the surgical staple cartridge is installed in a surgical stapler, the bump 13A will be located adjacent to the open end of the end effector assembly. The bump 13A defines a suitable gap for the target tissue between the surgical staple cartridge and the staple anvil portion, limiting the maximum pressure applied to the tissue by the surgical staple cartridge and the staple anvil portion, thereby preventing the tissue from being overly squeezed and flowing into areas without staple line coverage, or being squeezed unevenly in areas with staple line coverage, thereby affecting the tissue sealing quality. At the same time, the bump 13A can also block the tissue along the longitudinal direction, preventing the tissue from flowing under squeeze into areas without staple line coverage, thereby further improving the tissue sealing quality.

[0033] 2 exemplarily illustrates a front view of a surgical staple cartridge 20 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Staple cartridge 20 includes bumps 13B, and the main difference between staple cartridge 20 and staple cartridge 10 is that the specific structure of bumps 13B is different from that of bumps 13A. The position and function of bumps 13B on the cartridge body are substantially the same as the position and function of bumps 13A.

[0034] 3 and 4 show a specific structure of the bump 13A. As shown in the figures, the retaining pin channel 113 forms a channel opening in the tissue contacting surface 111, and a plurality of staple cavities for seating the surgical staples are arranged in two rows (which may be three or more rows) of staple cavities 112A and 112B extending along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, each staple cavity defining a staple cavity opening in the tissue contacting surface 111, and the surgical staples may be ejected from the staple cavity openings when fired. Specifically, the bump 13A is a one-piece member with a circumferential wall 131A extending along the circumferential direction of the channel opening of the retaining pin channel 113, and the bump 13A extends partially along the circumference of the channel opening, such that the circumferential wall 131A has a C-shape or crescent shape, and its openings face the end regions of the two rows of staple cavities. The C-shaped circumferential wall 131A is integrally connected with two adjacent tissue gripping protrusions 1121 via corresponding transition sections 132A, so that the ends of the area having staple line coverage are closed together by the tissue gripping protrusions 1121 and the bumps 13A, thereby better achieving the technical effect of preventing the tissue from being squeezed out of the area having staple line coverage. Although the transition sections 132A are shown as inclined sections, they may be transition sections having other shapes, such as straight or curved (convex or concave) transition sections.

[0035] As further shown in FIG. 4, in order to bring bump 13A longitudinally closer to the area having staple line coverage defined by the staple cavity opening, retaining pin channel 113 is laterally offset relative to the two rows of staple cavities such that the common central axis of retaining pin channel 113 and circumferential wall 131A is located laterally outside the two rows of staple cavities.

[0036] 5 and 6 show a specific structure of the bump 13B. Similarly, the retaining pin channel 113 forms a channel opening in the tissue contact surface 111, and a plurality of staple cavities for seating the surgical staples are arranged in two rows of staple cavities extending along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, each staple cavity defining a staple cavity opening in the tissue contact surface 111, and the surgical staples can be ejected from the staple cavity openings when fired. Specifically, the bump 13B includes a straight portion 131B and an annular portion 132B that are integral with each other. The bump 13B circumferentially surrounds the entire circumference of the channel opening of the retaining pin channel 113. The straight portion 131B protrudes from the tissue contacting surface 111 and is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, thereby preventing the compressed tissue from leaving the area having staple line coverage along the longitudinal direction, and the height of the straight portion 131B in the direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface 111 is greater than the height of the annular portion 132B in the direction perpendicular to the tissue contacting surface 111. In addition, the straight portion 131B and the annular portion 132B circumferentially surround the entire circumference of the channel opening of the retaining pin channel 113, thereby stabilizing the retaining pin.

[0037] 6, the staple cavity openings of the end staple cavities in the two rows of staple cavities 112A, 112B are adjacent to the annular portion 132B, which is integrally connected with the two adjacent tissue gripping protrusions 1121, thereby better achieving the technical effect of preventing tissue from being squeezed out of the area having staple line coverage. Also, the height of the annular portion 132B is equal to the height of the tissue gripping protrusions 1121.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the thickness dimension of the linear portion 131B in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body gradually decreases away from the tissue contacting surface 111.

[0039] As further shown in FIG. 6, in order to bring bump 13B longitudinally closer to the area having staple line coverage defined by the staple cavity openings, retaining pin channel 113 is offset laterally relative to the two rows of staple cavities such that the common central axis of retaining pin channel 113 and annular portion 132B is located laterally outside the two rows of staple cavities, while straight portion 131B is substantially centered laterally relative to the two rows of staple cavities.

[0040] Additionally, the staple cartridge of the present disclosure may further comprise an additional bump. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the bump 12 is located adjacent to a second end of the cartridge body opposite the first end and protrudes from the tissue contacting surface (as shown in Figure 9). A plurality of staple cavities are positioned between the bumps 13A / 13B and the bump 12. When the surgical staple cartridge is attached to a surgical stapler, the bump 12 is located adjacent to a closed end of the end effector assembly. The bump 12 cooperates with the bumps 13A / 13B to define a suitable gap between the surgical staple cartridge and the staple anvil portion for the target tissue, while the height difference may limit deformation of the surgical staple cartridge and the staple anvil portion in the closed configuration due to torque generated by the closure plate and insufficient rigidity of the cartridge body itself. Preferably, the height of bumps 13A / 13B in a direction perpendicular to tissue contacting surface 111 is greater than the height of bumps 12 in this direction so as to prevent the staple cartridge from deforming or rotating relative to the staple anvil in the closed configuration.

[0041] In another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a surgical end effector assembly comprising a staple cartridge portion and a staple anvil portion disposed opposite the staple cartridge portion, the staple cartridge portion comprising a surgical staple cartridge as described in the previous embodiment. The staple cartridge portion is movable relative to the staple anvil portion to form an open configuration in which the surgical end effector assembly can receive tissue and a closed configuration in which the surgical end effector assembly can capture tissue between the staple cartridge portion and the staple anvil portion and seal the tissue by firing staples in the staple cartridge. A plurality of staple forming pockets for forming surgical staples are formed in a tissue contacting surface of the staple anvil portion facing the tissue, the staple anvil portion comprising staple anvil portion bumps located adjacent an end of the staple anvil portion remote from bumps 13A / 13B (the closed end of the end effector assembly). When the surgical end effector assembly is closed, the staple anvil portion bumps can be engaged with the second end of the staple cartridge (if the staple cartridge does not have bumps 12) or with bumps 12 at the second end. If the staple cartridge has bumps 12, the sum of the heights of the staple anvil portion bumps and bumps 12 is less than or equal to the height of bumps 13A / 13B. If the staple cartridge only has bumps 13A or 13B and does not have bumps 12, the height of the staple anvil portion bumps is less than the height of bumps 13A / 13B, which better limits deformation of the surgical staple cartridge and staple anvil portion in the closed configuration due to torque generated by the closure plate and insufficient stiffness of the cartridge itself, while limiting the tissue gap to prevent tissue from being overly squeezed and moving out of areas having staple line coverage or being unevenly squeezed in those areas thereby affecting tissue seal quality.

[0042] In a further aspect, the present disclosure also provides a surgical instrument, such as a surgical stapler / anastomosis instrument (e.g., a linear stapler / anastomosis instrument or a right-angle stapler / anastomosis instrument), comprising a surgical staple cartridge or a surgical end effector assembly according to the above-described embodiments.

[0043] The scope of protection of the present disclosure is defined only by the claims. References herein to "various embodiments," "some embodiments," "one embodiment," or "embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, phrases such as "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," "in one embodiment," or "in an embodiment" in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, in one or more embodiments, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner. Thus, without any inconsistency, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined in whole or in part with a feature, structure, or characteristic of one or more other embodiments, and the resulting modifications and variations are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Surgical staple cartridge, The cartridge body, the cartridge body is Tissue contact surface, A plurality of staple cavities formed within the cartridge body for seating multiple surgical staples, each staple cavity having a staple cavity opening within the tissue contact surface, A channel through which a retaining pin passes, wherein the channel is formed within the cartridge body and is located adjacent to the first end of the cartridge body, and the channel forms a channel opening within the tissue contact surface, The cartridge body, A surgical staple cartridge comprising: a first bump provided on the tissue contact surface and located adjacent to the first end.

2. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first row of staple cavities and a second row of staple cavities extending along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, and each staple cavity opening is provided with a projection for grasping tissue, the projection partially surrounding the staple cavity opening.

3. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first bump protrudes from the tissue contact surface and includes a circumferential wall that partially extends circumferentially around the channel opening, and both ends of the circumferential wall are integrally connected to two adjacent protrusions via a transition section.

4. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the transition section is an inclined section.

5. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the transition section is a straight section or a curved section.

6. The surgical staple cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the channel is laterally offset with respect to the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities such that the common central axis of the channel and the circumferential wall is located laterally outward of the first row of staple cavities and the second row of staple cavities.

7. The first bump was, A linear portion protruding from the tissue contact surface and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge body, It includes an annular portion that protrudes from the tissue contact surface and extends circumferentially around the entire circumference of the channel opening, The aforementioned straight portion and the aforementioned annular portion are integrally connected to each other. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the height of the straight portion in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface is greater than the height of the annular portion in the direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface.

8. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the annular portion is integrally connected to two adjacent protrusions.

9. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the height of the annular portion is equal to the height of the adjacent protruding portion.

10. The surgical staple cartridge according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the thickness of the straight portion of the cartridge body in the longitudinal direction gradually decreases as it moves away from the tissue contact surface.

11. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the channel is offset laterally with respect to the first row and the second row of staple cavities such that the common central axis of the channel and the annular portion is located laterally outside the first row and the second row of staple cavities, while the straight portion is generally centered with respect to the first row and the second row of staple cavities in the later direction.

12. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a second bump protruding from the tissue contact surface and located adjacent to the second end of the cartridge body opposite the first end, wherein the plurality of staple cavities are located between the first bump and the second bump.

13. The surgical staple cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the first bump has a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface, the second bump has a second height in the same direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface, and the first height is greater than or equal to the second height.

14. A surgical end effector assembly, A staple cartridge portion including the surgical staple cartridge described in claim 1, A surgical end effector assembly comprising a staple anvil portion, wherein the staple anvil portion and the staple cartridge portion are configured to form an open configuration and a closed configuration for trapping tissue between them, and a plurality of staple-forming pockets for forming the plurality of surgical staples are formed on the tissue contact surface of the staple anvil portion.

15. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 14, wherein the staple anvil portion comprises a staple anvil portion bump, the staple anvil portion bump being located adjacent to the end of the staple anvil portion, away from the first bump.

16. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 15, wherein the first bump has a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface of the cartridge body, the staple anvil portion bump has a second height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface of the staple anvil portion, and the first height is greater than or equal to the second height.

17. The surgical end effector assembly according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the surgical staple cartridge further comprises a second bump protruding from the tissue contact surface and located adjacent to a second end of the cartridge body opposite the first end, the plurality of staple cavities located between the first bump and the second bump, the first bump having a first height in a direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface, and the second bump having a second height in the same direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface.

18. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 17, wherein the staple anvil portion comprises a third bump, the third bump being provided on the tissue contact surface of the staple anvil portion at a position opposite to the second bump so that the third bump can engage with the second bump in the closed configuration.

19. The surgical end effector assembly according to claim 18, wherein the third bump has a third height in the direction perpendicular to the tissue contact surface of the staple anvil portion, and the first height is greater than or equal to the sum of the second height and the third height.

20. A surgical instrument comprising a surgical staple cartridge according to claim 1 or a surgical end effector assembly according to claim 14.

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