Cartridge for applying varying amounts of tissue compression

• US 10,085,754 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2016
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sniffin, Kevin, Soltz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US15/169,238
• Publication Number:
  US 20160270792A1
• Time in Patent Office: 854 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271752, 2271761, 2271781, 2271801, 606139, 606151, 606153, 606213, 606219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge;

a first section including a first tissue-contacting surface, the first section installable at least partially in the cartridge, the first section including a first height measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first tissue-contacting surface; and

a second section including a second tissue-contacting surface, the second section installable at least partially in the cartridge independently of the first section, the second section including a second height measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second tissue-contacting surface, wherein the first height is different from the second height.

2. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section is installable at least partially in the cartridge proximal to the second section.

3. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section are interchangeably installable at least partially in the cartridge.

4. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the first section and the second section has a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein.

5. The cartridge assembly according to claim 4, wherein each surgical fastener of the plurality of surgical fasteners includes a backspan and a pair of legs.

6. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first tissue-contacting surface and the second tissue-contacting surface are arranged in a stepped configuration.

7. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first tissue-contacting surface is substantially parallel to the second tissue-contacting surface.

8. The cartridge assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a third section including a third tissue-contacting surface, the third section installable at least partially in the cartridge independently of the first section or the second section.

9. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the third section includes a third height measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the third tissue-contacting surface, wherein the third height is different from the first height.

10. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the third height is different from the second height.

11. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the third section is installable at least partially in the cartridge proximal of the first section.

12. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first section, the second section and the third section are interchangeably installable at least partially in the cartridge.

13. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first tissue-contacting surface, the second tissue-contacting surface and the third tissue-contacting surface are arranged in a stepped configuration.

14. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first tissue-contacting surface is substantially parallel to the second tissue-contacting surface or the third tissue-contacting surface.

15. The cartridge assembly according to claim 8, wherein each of the first section, the second section, and the third section has a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein.