Patent ID: 11944302
Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
an end effector comprising first and second jaws configured to move relative to each other from an open position to a closed position; and
a staple cartridge coupled to one of the first or second jaws and comprising:
a housing comprising a sidewall with an opening, the housing having a longitudinal axis; and
one or more staple assemblies each comprising a staple pusher and a staple, wherein the staple pusher has a projection sized to engage a portion of the housing such that the staple assemblies are retained to the housing, wherein the projection comprises an outer inclined surface, wherein at least a portion of the outer inclined surface extends through the opening in the housing laterally outward, the outer inclined surface being configured to cam along an edge of the opening when forced, the outer inclined surface tapering inward in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.