Staple cartridge assembly comprising various tissue compression gaps and staple forming gaps

Abstract

An end effector including an anvil and a staple cartridge assembly is disclosed. The staple cartridge assembly comprises a deck having steps defined thereon for compressing tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge assembly to different pressures. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises staples having different unformed heights removably stored therein. The staples are deformed against the anvil to different formed heights.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; 
 a staple cavity defined in said deck; and 
   a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, wherein said staple comprises:
 a frame comprised of an alloy including magnesium, zinc, and calcium; and 
 a coating on said frame comprising a bioabsorbable polymer. 
   
     
     
         22 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein said frame is bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , further comprising a wedge, wherein said frame comprises an integral driver configured to eject said staple from said staple cavity as said wedge is advanced through said cartridge body. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein said frame comprises legs and a base, and wherein said coating is selectively coated on a portion of said frame. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein said coating is configured to protect at least a portion of said frame from direct exposure to patient tissue when said staple is initially implanted into said patient tissue. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein said coating is configured to delay bioabsorption of at least a portion of said frame. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 21 , wherein said coating comprises at least one of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     
     
         28 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; 
 a staple cavity defined in said deck; and 
   a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, wherein said staple comprises:
 a frame comprised of a magnesium alloy including zinc and calcium; and 
 a coating on said frame comprising a bioabsorbable polymer. 
   
     
     
         29 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , wherein said frame is bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , further comprising a wedge, wherein said frame comprises an integral driver configured to eject said staple from said staple cavity as said wedge is advanced through said cartridge body. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , wherein said frame comprises legs and a base, and wherein said coating is selectively coated on a portion of said frame. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , wherein said coating is configured to protect at least a portion of said frame from direct exposure to patient tissue when said staple is initially implanted into said patient tissue. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , wherein said coating is configured to delay bioabsorption of at least a portion of said frame. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 28 , wherein said coating comprises at least one of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA). 
     
     
         35 . A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; 
 a staple cavity defined in said deck; and 
   a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, wherein said staple comprises:
 a substrate comprised of an alloy including magnesium, zinc, and calcium; and 
 a coating on said substrate comprising a bioabsorbable polymer. 
   
     
     
         36 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said substrate is bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , further comprising a wedge, wherein said substrate comprises an integral driver configured to eject said staple from said staple cavity as said wedge is advanced through said cartridge body. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said substrate comprises legs and a base, and wherein said coating is selectively coated on a portion of said substrate. 
     
     
         39 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said coating is configured to protect at least a portion of said substrate from direct exposure to patient tissue when said staple is initially implanted into said patient tissue. 
     
     
         40 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said coating is configured to delay bioabsorption of at least a portion of said substrate. 
     
     
         41 . The surgical staple cartridge of  claim 35 , wherein said coating comprises at least one of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA).