Stapling assembly configured to produce different formed staple heights

• US 10,245,035 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Issued: 04/02/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Swayze, Jeffrey S., Hueil, Joseph C., Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US14/847,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20150374368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,302 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 2271771, 2271801, 227 19, 606153, 606219
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments

Abstract

A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The stapling assembly comprises an anvil jaw, a firing member, and a replaceable cartridge jaw comprising a tissue-supporting deck including a first longitudinal step and a second longitudinal step. The first longitudinal step is positioned above the second longitudinal step. The replaceable cartridge jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot, a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, a plurality of first staples, a plurality of second staples, a plurality of drivers, and a sled. The sled is configured to lift the drivers toward the anvil jaw to deform the first staples to a first formed height and the second staples to a second formed. The first formed height is different than the second formed height.

Claims

1. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:

an anvil jaw;

a firing member, comprising;

a tissue cutting portion;

a first camming member; and

a second camming member; and

a replaceable cartridge jaw, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a tissue-supporting deck, including;

a first longitudinal step; and

a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step;

a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;

a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;

a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;

a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil jaw; and

a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil jaw to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height, and wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to control the relative position of said replaceable cartridge jaw and said anvil jaw.

2. The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.

3. The stapling assembly of claim 1, wherein said replaceable cartridge jaw comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.

4. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:

a first jaw including an anvil;

a firing member, comprising;

a tissue cutting portion;

a first camming member; and

a second camming member; and

a replaceable cartridge constituting a second jaw, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a tissue-supporting deck, including;

a first longitudinal step; and

a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step;

a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;

a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;

a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;

a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil; and

a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height, and wherein said first camming member and said second camming member are configured to limit the relative position of said replaceable cartridge and said anvil.

5. The stapling assembly of claim 4, wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.

6. The stapling assembly of claim 4, wherein said replaceable cartridge comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.

7. A stapling assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument for stapling and cutting tissue, said stapling assembly comprising:

a first jaw including an anvil;

a firing member, comprising;

a tissue cutting portion;

a first cam; and

a second cam; and

a replaceable cartridge composing a second jaw, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a tissue-supporting deck, including;

a first longitudinal step; and

a second longitudinal step, wherein said first longitudinal step is positioned above said second longitudinal step, wherein said first cam and said second cam are configured to position said first jaw and said second jaw in a clamped configuration such that said first longitudinal step is a first gap distance away from said anvil and said second longitudinal step is a second gap distance away from said anvil, and wherein said first gap distance is different than said second gap distance;

a longitudinal slot extending from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive said firing member;

a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first longitudinal step;

a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second longitudinal step;

a plurality of first staples positioned in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of second staples positioned in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of drivers configured to drive said first staples and said second staples against said anvil; and

a sled movable from said proximal end toward said distal end, wherein said sled is configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil to deform said first staples to a first formed height and said second staples to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height.

8. The stapling assembly of claim 7, wherein said first staples comprise a first unformed height, wherein said second staples comprise a second unformed height, and wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.

9. The stapling assembly of claim 7, wherein said replaceable cartridge comprises a tray extending under said drivers and said sled, and wherein said tray is configured to engage the surgical stapling instrument.