Tissue thickness compensators for surgical staplers

• US 10,363,031 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2016
• Issued: 07/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Alexander, III, Johnny H., Henderson, Cortney E., Miller, Christopher C., Measamer, John P., Schmid, Katherine J., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Mutchler, Stephanie A., Smith, Bret W., Cropper, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/180,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 606151, 606219, 2271751-1801
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00889 antimicrobial, disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00991 Telescopic means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 : Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 : of the patient or his organs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/17 : closed at the distal end

Abstract

Tissue thickness compensators for use with circular surgical staplers. Various tissue thickness compensators are disclosed for deployment between a stapler head of a surgical circular stapler and an anvil attached thereto to accommodate variances in tissue thickness during stapling. Some tissue thickness compensator arrangements include means and configurations for deploying healing agents for enhancing the healing process.

Claims

1. A circular surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one annular row of staples;

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

an anvil shaft removably attachable to said stapler head; and

a tissue thickness compensator comprising an annular compressible biocompatible body configured to be supported on said anvil shaft between said staple cartridge and said anvil, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one annular pocket, and wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises a healing agent released upon the firing of said staples.

2. The circular surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises a first compressible bioabsorbable layer laminated to a second compressible bioabsorbable layer with said at least one annular pocket formed therebetween.

3. A circular surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one annular row of staples;

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

an anvil shaft removably attachable to said stapler head; and

a tissue thickness compensator comprising an annular compressible biocompatible body configured to be supported on said anvil shaft between said staple cartridge and said anvil, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one annular pocket, wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises a healing agent, wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises two coaxial annular pockets comprising said healing agent, and wherein each annular pocket corresponds to a said annular row of staples in said staple cartridge.

4. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one row of staples;

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

a shaft removably attachable to said anvil;

a tissue thickness compensator configured to be supported by at least one of said staple cartridge and said anvil; and

a compressible biocompatible body attached to said tissue thickness compensator and said anvil, and wherein said compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one pocket configured for storage.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 4, wherein said at least one pocket comprises a healing agent.

6. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one row of staples;

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

a shaft removably attachable to said anvil;

a tissue thickness compensator configured to be supported by at least one of said staple cartridge and said anvil; and

a compressible biocompatible body attached to said tissue thickness compensator and said anvil, wherein said compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one pocket, wherein said at least one pocket comprises a healing agent, wherein said at least one pocket comprises two coaxial pockets comprising said healing agent, and wherein each said pocket corresponds to a row of staples in said staple cartridge.

7. The surgical stapler of claim 6, wherein said compressible biocompatible body comprises a first compressible bioabsorbable layer laminated to a second compressible bioabsorbable layer with said at least one pocket formed therebetween.

8. A circular surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one annular row of staples; and

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

an anvil shaft removably attachable to said stapler head;

a tissue thickness compensator configured to be supported between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and

an annular compressible biocompatible body attached to said tissue thickness compensator and said anvil, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one annular pocket configured for storage.

9. The circular surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises a medicament.

10. A circular surgical stapler, comprising:

a stapler head, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising at least one annular row of staples; and

an anvil configured to be positioned opposite said staple cartridge;

an anvil shaft removably attachable to said stapler head;

a tissue thickness compensator configured to be supported between said staple cartridge and said anvil; and

an annular compressible biocompatible body attached to said tissue thickness compensator and said anvil, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises at least one annular pocket, wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises a medicament, wherein said at least one annular pocket comprises two coaxial annular pockets comprising said medicament, and wherein each said annular pocket corresponds to a said annular row of staples in said staple cartridge.

11. The circular surgical stapler of claim 10, wherein said annular compressible biocompatible body comprises a first compressible bioabsorbable layer laminated to a second compressible bioabsorbable layer with said at least one annular pocket formed therebetween.