Patent ID: 11944306
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 14:
15. A replaceable surgical staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end and defining a first side and a second side of said cartridge body;
a deck surface configured to support tissue;
a bottom portion opposite said deck surface;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in said deck surface, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of longitudinal rows in said first side of said cartridge body; and
a projection extending laterally outward from an outer edge of said first side of said cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored within said plurality of staple cavities;
a cartridge pan secured to said cartridge body, wherein said cartridge pan extends around said outer edge and under said bottom portion, wherein said cartridge pan comprises a proximal window defined in a lateral arm of said cartridge pan, and wherein said projection extends through said window;
a firing assembly positioned in said proximal end of said cartridge body in an unfired position, wherein said firing assembly comprises a sled and a cutting member, and wherein said firing assembly is configured to sequentially eject said plurality of staples from said plurality of staple cavities and cut tissue during a firing stroke; and
a housing cover configured to at least partially cover said cutting member when said firing assembly is positioned in said unfired position, wherein said housing cover comprises:
a first vertical wall extending from said deck surface of said first side of said cartridge body;
a second vertical wall extending from said deck surface of said second side of said cartridge body opposite to said first vertical wall; and
a top portion extending between said first vertical wall and said second vertical wall.