Patent ID: 7669747

Claim:
A circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument comprising: a head, comprising: a circular cutting instrument; and a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein each staple comprises two legs and a base, wherein each of the two legs is not co-linear with the base; an anvil facing the head; and a washer, having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the washer is inserted in the anvil such that the washer is between the anvil and the head such that the first surface of the washer faces the head and the second surface of the washer faces the anvil, wherein the washer comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, wherein the inner portion is connected to the outer portion by a plurality of tabs that are aligned radially with the circular cutting instrument of the head, and wherein the washer is configured in the anvil such that when the instrument is fired, the cutting instrument cuts tissue between the head and the washer and cuts the tabs of the washer such that the inner portion is separated from the outer portion, and wherein the outer portion of the washer comprises a plurality of staple guide sections, wherein there is one staple guide section for each staple comprised in the staple cartridge, each staple guide section defining two separate openings aligned with the staple legs of the corresponding staple for each staple guide section, wherein each staple guide section comprises material between the two separate openings of the staple guide section, such that, when the instrument is fired, the staple legs of the staples of the staple cartridge are driven through the openings and formed against the anvil and the bases of the staples are driven against the first surface of the washer such that, after formation by the anvil, the ends of the staple legs contact the material between the two separate openings of the staple guide sections on the second surface of the washer without protruding into the tissue between the head and the washer.