Abstract: A staple cartridge for a surgical instrument includes a cartridge body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck. Pockets extend through the upper deck for receiving respective staples. The staple cartridge also includes a pan coupled to the cartridge body. The pan includes a laterally-opposed pair of sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a trough sized and configured to receive the cartridge body. The pan also includes a retention tab extending laterally outwardly from a sidewall and longitudinally between proximal and distal ends. The retention tab defines a recess extending laterally outwardly from the trough. The recess opens through the sidewall at at least one of the proximal or distal ends. The pan further includes a relief slot extending through the sidewall adjacent to the at least one of the proximal or distal ends such that the relief slot opens directly into the recess.

Abstract: A staple cartridge for a surgical instrument includes a cartridge body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck. Pockets extend through the upper deck for receiving respective staples. The staple cartridge also includes a pan coupled to the cartridge body. The pan includes a laterally-opposed pair of sidewalls spaced apart from each other to define a trough sized and configured to receive the cartridge body. The pan also includes a retention tab extending laterally outwardly from a sidewall and longitudinally between proximal and distal ends. The retention tab defines a recess extending laterally outwardly from the trough. The recess opens through the sidewall at at least one of the proximal or distal ends. The pan further includes a relief slot extending through the sidewall adjacent to the at least one of the proximal or distal ends such that the relief slot opens directly into the recess.

Abstract: A stapling assembly for a surgical instrument includes a body extending along a longitudinal axis and having an upper deck, a plurality of pockets extending through the upper deck for receiving respective staples and arranged in at least two longitudinal rows, a plurality of staple drivers, and a staple driver actuator. The stapling assembly also includes a plurality of pocket extenders extending upwardly from the upper deck. Each pocket extender has a respective top surface. The stapling assembly further includes at least one upwardly-facing surface configured to contact an adhesive of an adjunct for securing the adjunct to the stapling assembly. The at least one upwardly-facing surface is disposed at least partially between at least a portion of the upper deck and the top surfaces of the plurality of pocket extenders, and spans laterally at least partially across at least two longitudinal rows of the plurality of pockets.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cartridge body, a deck, an elongate slot, a plurality of pockets, and a plurality of engagement protrusions. The plurality of pockets include first and second pockets. The plurality of engagement protrusions extend from the deck and are configured to grip tissue or an adjunct material. The plurality of engagement protrusions include first and second engagement protrusions. The first engagement protrusion is associated with the first pocket. The first engagement protrusion includes a lateral portion extending longitudinally along a lateral side of the first pocket. The first engagement protrusion does not extend along a second lateral side of the first pocket such that the second lateral side opens directly to the deck. The second engagement protrusion is associated with the second pocket. The second engagement protrusion includes a lateral portion extending longitudinally along the second lateral side of the second pocket.

Abstract: A method of operating a surgical instrument includes clamping tissue with a surgical instrument end effector and actuating the end effector to drive staples into the clamped tissue, including a first longitudinal row having at least one first formed staple with a first formed shape in which the first legs are aligned laterally with each other and with the first crown; a second longitudinal row having at least one second formed staple with a second formed shape in which each second leg is skewed laterally away from the second crown at a first angle; and a third longitudinal row of third formed staples having at least one third formed staple with a third formed shape in which each third leg is skewed laterally away from the third crown at a second angle.