Apparatus and method for applying reinforcement material to a surgical stapler

• US 20030120284A1
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Published: 06/26/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Torrez, Raymond P., Palacios, Edward M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,939,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/139
• 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 50/30 Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40

Abstract

An apparatus and method used to apply a self-adherent strip of bio-compatible, staple line reinforcement material onto a working surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus effectively contains and supports reinforcement material during sterilization and shipment. At the point of use, the apparatus provides a simple method for applying the reinforcement material to a variety of staplers. Once the reinforcement material is applied, no excess material remains attached to the stapler thus post-attachment removal of excess material is avoided. The apparatus is simple to manufacture, accommodates a wide variety of reinforcement material shapes and configurations, allows for accurate sizing of the reinforcement material to a variety of stapler jaws, and provides a very low profile package to reduce packaging, shipping, and storage costs.

Claims

1. A package for applying surgical staple reinforcement material to arms of a surgical stapler comprising:

an application card;

staple reinforcement material having a first portion adapted to be attached to the arms of the surgical stapler, a second portion adapted to be attached to the application card, and tear lines separating the first portion and the second portion;

an adhesive to attach the first portion of staple reinforcement material to the stapler arms; and

wherein the tear lines on the staple reinforcement material allow the first portion of staple reinforcement material to be separated laterally from the second portion once the adhesive attaches the first portion of the staple reinforcement material to the arms of the surgical stapler.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein

the application card includes a landing;

and

wherein the second portion of the staple reinforcement material is attached to application card so as to position the first portion within the landing.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein the landing further comprises:

a first layer having an aperture;

a reinforcement material having a first surface and a second opposing surface;

the first surface of reinforcement material exposed within the aperture; and

the second opposing surface of the reinforcement material in contact with a support layer.

4. The package of claim 3 wherein the reinforcement material is attached to the first layer.

5. The package of claim 3 wherein the reinforcement material is attached to the support layer.

6. The package of claim 1 further comprising:

a support layer; and

the reinforcement material attached to the support layer.

7. The package of claim 1 wherein the second portion of reinforcement material being adhered directly to the application card.

8. The package of claim 1 wherein the application card includes a notch therein to assist in aligning the stapler arms with the reinforcement material.

9. The package of claim 1 wherein the application card comprises at least two portions that are joined together.

10. The package of claim 9 wherein the two portions of the application card are attached together through interlocking posts.

11. The package of claim 10 wherein the reinforcement material is at least partially held in place on the application card through cut-outs aligned with the interlocking posts.

12. A kit comprising

the package of claim 1;

and

a separate resilient material.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the resilient material comprises a foam.

14. A method of applying a surgical staple reinforcement material comprising:

a) providing a surgical stapler having staples and arms;

b) providing an application card having the staple reinforcement material attached thereto;

c) providing a means for adhering the reinforcement material to the stapler arms;

d) providing means to allow the staple reinforcement material to tear away from the card;

e) closing the arms of the surgical stapler against the staple reinforcement material;

g) adhering the staple reinforcement material to the arms;

h) while the arms are in a closed position, laterally pulling the arms away from the application card, causing the reinforcement material to tear away from the card and remain attached to the jaws.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

i) inserting the jaw with the adhered reinforcement material into a patient.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:

i) setting the staples through the reinforcement material.