US Patent 11832814 Surgical stapler end effector sled having tapered distal end

A staple driver actuator for a surgical stapler includes a base having at least one bottom surface. The bottom surface defines a plane and is configured to slide longitudinally relative to a jaw of the surgical stapler. The base also has at least one top surface parallel to the plane, a distal lower cam surface inclined relative to the plane, and at least one distal upper cam surface inclined relative to the plane. The at least one distal upper cam surface is opposed from the distal lower cam surface. The staple driver actuator further includes at least one rail extending upwardly from the base. The rail includes at least one rail cam surface longitudinally spaced apart from the distal upper cam surface, and the rail cam surface is inclined relative to the plane.