US Patent 10213203 Staple cartridge assembly without a bottom cover

A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from a jaw of surgical stapling instrument. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body including staple cavities and staples removably stored in the staple cavities. Each of the staple cavities includes a bottom opening and a top opening. The staples include features configured to inhibit the staples from falling out of the bottom openings of the staple cavities. The staple cartridge further comprises a firing member configured to eject the staples from the staple cavities through the top openings of the staple cavities. The firing member further comprises one or more features configured to inhibit the firing member from falling out of the bottom of the cartridge body. In various instances, as a result, a cover extending around the bottom of the cartridge body may not be required.