Variable compression surgical fastener cartridge

Abstract

A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge is provided. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge includes a cartridge body that includes a tissue contacting surface that includes a plurality of fastener retention slots. A plurality of surgical fasteners is disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots. Each surgical fastener includes first and second legs of different lengths. A plurality of pushers is operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners. One or more of the pushers is configured such that, upon formation of a corresponding surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge also includes an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical fastener cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surface including a fastener retention slot;   a surgical fastener disposed in the fastener retention slot, the surgical fastener having a first leg and a second leg;   a pusher operably associated with the surgical fastener, the pusher configured for urging the surgical fastener through the fastener retention slot, the pusher having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface, the first sidewall having a height larger than a height of the second sidewall such that, upon formation of the surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is less than a second area defined by the second leg, the top surface of the pusher defining an acute angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface; and   an actuation mechanism operably associated with the pusher.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the pusher is configured to urge the surgical fastener towards a depression in an anvil. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the first leg has a first length and the second leg has a second length, the first length different from the second length. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical fastener of  claim 4 , wherein the first length is less than the second length. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the tissue contacting surface includes a slot configured to accommodate longitudinal movement of a cutting element. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein the fastener retention slot is angled forming inner and outer ends with respect to the slot. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the formed surgical fastener includes a first loop defining the first area and a second loop defining the second area. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical fastener cartridge of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second legs of the surgical fastener are connected by a backspan that defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         10 . A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising:
 a handle assembly;   an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle assembly; and   an operative tool attachable to the shaft, the operative tool including:
 an anvil pivotably coupled to a cartridge, the anvil and the cartridge configured to move between an approximated relationship and a spaced apart relationship, the cartridge includes a cartridge body with a tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surface including a fastener retention slot; 
 a surgical fastener disposed in the fastener retention slot, the surgical fastener having a first leg and a second leg; 
 a pusher operably associated with the surgical fastener, the pusher configured for ejecting the surgical fastener towards a depression in the anvil, the pusher having a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a top surface, the first sidewall having a height larger than a height of the second sidewall such that, upon formation of the surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg, the top surface of the pusher being sloped; and 
 an actuation mechanism operably associated with the pusher. 
   
     
     
         11 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first leg of has a first length and the second leg has a second length that is different from the first length. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the first length is less than the second length. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the tissue contacting surface includes a slot configured to accommodate longitudinal movement of a cutting element. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener retention slot is angled forming inner and outer ends with respect to the slot. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the formed surgical fastener includes a first loop defining the first area and a second loop defining the second area. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second legs of the surgical fastener are connected by a backspan that defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the slope of the top surface of the pusher defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical fastener applying apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the backspan of the surgical fastener follows substantially the same contour as the top surface the pusher.