Fastener cartridges including extensions having different configurations

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The cartridge body can further comprise extensions extending from the deck having different sizes and/or configurations. The extensions can control the flow of tissue relative to the deck and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fastening instrument for fastening tissue, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; and 
 fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener cavity comprises an opening in said deck; 
   fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities;   a plurality of first extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said first extension is positioned at least partially around a said opening in said deck, and wherein each said first extension comprises a first shape;   a plurality of second extensions extending from said deck, wherein each said second extension is positioned at least partially around a said opening in said deck, and wherein each said second extension comprises a second shape that is different than said first shape; and   an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil is releasably attachable to and releasably detachable from said stapling instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The fastening instrument of  claim 1 , wherein each said fastener cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first extension extends around a first end of a said fastener cavity, and wherein each said second extension extends around a second end of a said fastener cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The fastening instrument of  claim 1 , wherein each said first extension is defined by a first height, wherein each said second extension is defined by a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height. 
     
     
         4 . The fastening instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil. 
     
     
         5 . The fastening instrument of  claim 4 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions are positioned in said apertures. 
     
     
         6 . The fastening instrument of  claim 1 , wherein said first extensions are configured to create first compression zones within the tissue, wherein said second extensions are configured to create second compression zones within the tissue, and wherein said second compression zones are distinct from said first compression zones. 
     
     
         7 . A stapling instrument for stapling tissue, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; and 
 staple cavities, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; 
   staples removably stored in said staple cavities;   first extensions extending from said deck, wherein said first extensions are at least partially positioned around said openings in said deck;   second extensions extending from said deck, wherein said second extensions are at least partially positioned around said openings in said deck, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions create distinct tissue compression zones; and   an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil is releasably attachable to and releasably detachable from said stapling instrument.   
     
     
         8 . The stapling instrument of  claim 7 , wherein each said staple cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first extension extends around a first end of a said staple cavity, and wherein each said second extension extends around a second end of a said staple cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The stapling instrument of  claim 7 , wherein each said first extension is defined by a first height, wherein each said second extension is defined by a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height. 
     
     
         10 . The stapling instrument of  claim 7 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil. 
     
     
         11 . The stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first extensions and said second extensions are positioned in said apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The stapling instrument of  claim 7 , wherein said first extensions comprise a first shape, and wherein said second extensions comprise a second shape which is different than said first shape. 
     
     
         13 . A stapling instrument for stapling tissue, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; and 
 staple cavities, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; 
   staples removably stored in said staple cavities;   first projections extending from said deck, wherein said first projections are defined by a first height;   second projections extending from said deck, wherein said second projections are defined by a second height, and wherein said first projections and said second projections create distinct tissue compression zones; and   an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein said anvil is selectively attachable to said stapling instrument to clamp the tissue against said deck.   
     
     
         14 . The stapling instrument of  claim 13 , wherein each said staple cavity comprises a first end and a second end, wherein each said first projection extends around a first end of a said staple cavity, and wherein each said second projection extends around a second end of a said staple cavity. 
     
     
         15 . The stapling instrument of  claim 13 , further comprising an implantable layer positioned intermediate said deck and said anvil. 
     
     
         16 . The stapling instrument of  claim 15 , wherein said implantable layer comprises apertures defined therein, and wherein said first projections and said second projections are positioned in said apertures.