Coatings for surgical staplers

• US 20070243227A1
• Filed: 04/13/2007
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Original Assignee: Michael Gertner
• Inventors: Gertner, Michael
• Application Number:
  US11/786,897
• Publication Number:
  US 20070243227A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 424/424
• 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 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective

Abstract

A material with a first state and a second state is applied to a surgical stapler. The stapler is applied to tissue in a surgical field while the material is in the first state. Subsequently, the second state is achieved by the material to secure the staple line. In some embodiments, bioactive agents are eluted from or into the staple line.

Claims

1. A buttress to reinforce staples released from a surgical stapler comprising:

a. a material adapted for attachment to said surgical stapler wherein the material comprises two states, the first state characterized by a low profile and the second state characterized by a substantially thicker or fuller profile;

wherein said material changes to said second state after said staples are released from the surgical stapler and the surgical stapler released from a tissue.

2. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is a hydrogel.

3. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is cut into a shape by the mechanism of the surgical stapler traversing said material.

4. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material releases a bioactive material.

5. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is a biodegradeable material.

6. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said second state is related to said first state by the degree of water content.

7. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said second state is related to the first state by the degree of cross-linking of the material.

8. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is an elastomer.

9. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is inflateable with a gas or fluid.

10. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is a container adapted to hold a fluid.

11. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is a crosslinked polymer.

12. The buttress of claim 1 wherein said material is activated after application to the tissue.

13. The buttress of claim 1 wherein the material is transparent.

14. A method of creating a secure staple line comprising:

a. applying a material to at least one jaw of a surgical stapler in a first state;

b. sterilizing the surgical stapler and the material;

c. applying the surgical stapler and material to the tissue of a subject;

d. allowing the material to change state to a second state after application of the stapler to the tissue.

15. The method of claim 18 further comprising applying an energy to said material to further secure the staple line.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising releasing a bioactive material from said material.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said material is a hydrogel.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said material is an elastomer.