Circular Stapler Buttress

• US 20080161832A1
• Filed: 01/16/2008
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Inventors: Bauman, Ann M., Daugherty, John R., Pih, Norman, Crawley, Jerald M., Broyles, Stuart E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/148
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil

Abstract

A buttress for use with circular surgical staplers that does not require adhesive to securely fasten the buttress to the stapler. Following cutting and stapling by the circular stapler, the buttress has an adaptive opening through its central region with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the stapler anvil. Because of relief features built into the buttress, the stapler anvil may be pulled through the buttress material without causing permanent alteration to the buttress. These relief features may be provided regardless of whether the buttress is made of inelastic or elastic materials. The buttress is generally circular in shape with an outer diameter sized to coincide with the outer diameter of the stapler body staple compression surface and the outer diameter of the anvil compression surface of a circular stapler with which it is used. Prior to surgical use, the buttress is attached to the stapler with disruptable portions extending from outer perimetal areas of the buttress.

Claims

1. A reinforcement device for use with a circular stapler adapted to create a substantially circular hole in a patient, said circular stapler having a stapler anvil portion with a first compression surface and a stapler body portion with a second compression surface, said reinforcement device comprising:

a first buttress having a first contact surface adapted to attach to said stapler anvil without use of an adhesive on said first compression surface and said first contact surface;

a second buttress having a second contact surface adapted to attach to said stapler body without use of an adhesive on said second compression surface and said second contact surface; and

wherein the first and second buttresses reinforce said hole created by said stapler in said patient when staples are applied.

2. The reinforcement device of claim 1 further comprising at least one protrusion disruptably connected to said second buttress, said protrusion having an adhesive on at least a portion thereof to attach said second buttress to said stapler body portion.

3. The reinforcement device of claim 2 further comprising a removable covering placed over said adhesive on said protrusion.

4. The reinforcement device of claim 1 further comprising at least one protrusion disruptably connected to said first buttress, said protrusion having an adhesive on at least a portion thereof to attach said first buttress to said stapler anvil portion.

5. The reinforcement device of claim 4 further comprising a removable covering placed over said adhesive on said protrusion.

6. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the stapler includes an anvil that is larger in diameter than the circular hole that is created by the stapler.

7. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the buttress comprises an essentially elastic material.

8. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the buttress comprises an essentially inelastic material.

9. The reinforcement device of claim 1 wherein the buttress comprises at least one polymeric material.

10. The reinforcement device of claim 9 wherein the polymeric material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

11. A reinforcement device comprising:

a circular stapler that is adapted to create a substantially circular hole in a patient, said circular stapler having a stapler anvil compression surface outer diameter, at least one buttress adapted to self align onto the stapler anvil compression surface outer diameter; and

wherein the buttress reinforces the hole created by the stapler in the patient when staples are applied.

12. The reinforcement device of claim 11 wherein the stapler includes an anvil that is larger in diameter than the circular hole that is created by the stapler.

13. The reinforcement device of claim 11 wherein the buttress comprises an essentially elastic material.

14. The reinforcement device of claim 11 wherein the buttress comprises an essentially inelastic material.

15. The reinforcement device of claim 11 wherein the buttress comprises at least one polymeric material.

16. The reinforcement device of claim 15 wherein the polymeric material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

17. The reinforcement device of claim 16 wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene is porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.