APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A REINFORCED SURGICAL STAPLE LINE

• US 20080125812A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Biotech Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Patel, Umesh H., McAlexander, Chad S., Zubik, Joesph W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/220
• 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 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks

Abstract

An apparatus for use with a surgical stapler to provide a reinforced surgical staple line. The apparatus includes an applicator that carries a first and second bioimplantable material connected by a hinge. An applicator clip may be provided to releasably secure the first and second bioimplantable material onto the applicator.

Claims

1. A method of loading a bolster material onto a surgical stapling device, the method comprising:

providing a surgical stapling device having a receiving area for receipt of a bolster material, the receiving area including a first surface and a second surface;

providing a loading device for loading a single piece of bolster material onto the surgical stapling device, the loading device comprising;

an applicator element having a first applicator face for holding a first portion of said single piece of bolster material, and a second applicator face for holding a second portion of said single piece of bolster material;

a single piece of bolster material removably positioned on the applicator element, the single piece of bolster material including a first bolster material portion having a face received on said first applicator face, a second bolster material portion having a face received on said second applicator face, and a bend portion connecting said first bolster material portion and said second bolster material portion, wherein said first bolster material portion, said second bolster material portion, and said bend portion are formed from a single piece of bovine pericardium; and

an adhesive material on a surface of said single piece of bolster material for adhering said single piece of bolster material to said surgical stapling device; and

delivering the loading device to the surgical stapling device such that the single piece of bolster material is received in the receiving area, and such that the face of the first bolster material portion contacts and is held against the first surface of the receiving area and the face of the second bolster material portion contacts and is held against the second surface of the receiving area.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising contacting said surgical stapling device with said adhesive material such that said single piece of bolster material is adhered to said surgical stapling device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing said loading device from a sealed medical package in which said loading device is contained.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said loading device is sterilely packaged in said sealed medical package.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising removing a covering material from said loading device, said covering material removably adhered to and covering said adhesive material on said single piece of bolster material.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising removing said loading device from a sealed medical package in which said loading device is contained.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material includes a hydrogel.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said adhesive material is a tacky substance.