Actuator for releasing a tissue thickness compensator from a fastener cartridge

Abstract

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical end effector. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body having fastener cavities, fasteners removably positioned in the fastener cavities, a layer of material releasably secured relative to the cartridge body, a connector configured to secure the layer of material to the cartridge body at a location distal to at least one fastener cavity, and an actuator. The layer of material can be a tissue thickness compensator. When actuated, the actuator can overcome the connector, and can overcome the connector prior to the removal of the fasteners from the fastener cavities. The actuator can be actuated at a location proximal to at least one fastener cavity, and can extend distally past at least one fastener cavity toward the connector.

1 . A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities;   a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said fastener cavity;   a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured relative to said cartridge body;   a connector, wherein said connector secures said tissue thickness compensator to said cartridge body at a location, and wherein the location is distal to at least one said fastener cavity; and   an actuator configured to overcome said connector when actuated, wherein said actuator overcomes said connector prior to the removal of said fasteners from said fastener cavities.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said tissue thickness compensator is released from said cartridge body when said actuator overcomes said connector. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator shifts distally to cut said connector when actuated. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said actuator comprises a slot extending from a proximal end of said actuator, and wherein said slot comprises a release stop. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 4 , comprising a firing element configured to translate along said slot through said release stop, wherein said firing element is configured to move said actuator when said firing element pushes against said release stop. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said slot comprises a first width, wherein said release stop comprises a second width that is narrower than said first width, and wherein said firing element is configured to widen said second width to pass through said release stop. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said release stop comprises a breakable portion, and wherein said firing element breaks said breakable portion to pass through said release stop. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said release stop comprises a detent configured to hold said firing element, and wherein said firing element overcomes said detent to pass through said release stop. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a hard stop, and wherein said hard stop blocks movement of said actuator distally past said hard stop. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 5 , comprising a tab configured to engage said firing element as said firing element moves through said release stop. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said connector comprises a suture. 
     
     
         12 . A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a fastening instrument for fastening tissue, said fastener cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fastener cavities;   a plurality of fasteners, wherein said fasteners are ejected from said fastener cavities during a portion of a firing stroke of the fastening instrument;   compensation means for compensating for thickness variations within the tissue, wherein said compensation means is releasably attached to said cartridge body;   attachment means for attaching said compensation means to said cartridge body, wherein said attachment means is positioned distal to at least one said fastener cavity; and   releasing means for releasing said compensation means from said cartridge body, wherein said releasing means overcomes said attachment means before the portion of the firing stroke.   
     
     
         13 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said releasing means shifts distally to overcome said attachment means. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said releasing means comprises:
 a proximal portion positioned proximal to said fastener cavities, wherein said releasing means is actuated at said proximal portion; and   a distal portion, wherein said distal portion overcomes said attachment means.   
     
     
         15 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 12 , comprising a firing means for firing said fasteners from said fastener cavities during the portion of the firing stroke, wherein said firing means actuates said releasing means prior to the portion of the firing stroke. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said compensation means comprises a bioabsorbable foam. 
     
     
         17 . A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a fastener cavity;   a fastener removably positioned in said fastener cavity;   a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to said cartridge body;   a connector, wherein said connector secures said tissue thickness compensator to said cartridge body distal to said fastener cavity; and   an actuator, wherein said actuator extends past said fastener in said fastener cavity, and wherein said actuator is actuated proximal to said fastener cavity.   
     
     
         18 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator breaks said connector when actuated. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator overcomes said connector prior to the removal of said fastener from said fastener cavity. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , comprising a firing element configured to move along a slot in said cartridge body, wherein said firing element actuates said actuator and then fires said fastener from said fastener cavity when said firing element moves distally along the slot. 
     
     
         21 - 30 . (canceled)