Washer for use with a surgical stapling instrument

• US 20090001128A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hess, Christopher J., Weisenburgh, William B. II
• Granted Patent: US 7,669,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/179.100
• 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 17/068 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/0086 : using clamps, folding means or the like
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2023/08 : Microprocessor; Microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2031/30 : Cooling after the engine is stopped
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2037/02 : starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/04 : Pump-driving arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 5/10 : Pumping liquid coolant; Arrangements of coolant pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/08 : by cutting in or out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 : by thermostatic control
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/162 : by cutting in and out of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 11/105 : characterised by the function converting demand to actuation, e.g. a map indicating relations between an accelerator pedal position and throttle valve opening or target engine torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/102 : at least one throttle being moved only by an electric actuator
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2011/104 : using electric step motors
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/0095 : Synchronisation of the cylinders during engine shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/389 : for injecting directly into the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 : Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/602 : Pedal position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/604 : Engine control mode selected by driver, e.g. to manually start particle filter regeneration or to select driving style
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/002 : controlling air supply
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 35/025 : by determining temperatures inside the cylinder, e.g. combustion temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/042 : for stopping the engine
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/065 : at hot start or restart F02D41/067 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3094 : the fuel injection being effected by at least two different injectors, e.g. one in the intake manifold and one in the cylinder
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/3809 : Common rail control systems common rail apparatus F02M55/025, F02M63/0225
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/401 : Controlling injection timing F02D41/402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/402 : Multiple injections
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 11/0814 : comprising means for controlling automatic idle-start-stop
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 19/02 : Aiding engine start by thermal means, e.g. using lighted wicks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 : Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

A surgical stapler including a “breakaway” washer that is inserted into an anvil. In various embodiments, the washer can include a circular inner portion and a circular outer portion. In one various embodiment, the outer portion may include a number of staple guide sections that define openings through which staple ends of surgical staples are driven when the surgical stapler is fired and are thereafter bent, or turned, by the anvil. In various embodiments, the staple ends may then contact and be retained by the staple guide sections so that the staple ends do not re-penetrate or otherwise re-puncture stapled tissue. In one various embodiment, the washer can be dissolvable or bioabsorbable.

Claims

1. A circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument comprising:

a head, comprising;

a circular cutting instrument; and

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an anvil facing the head; and

a washer inserted in the anvil such that the washer is between the anvil and the head, wherein the washer comprises an inner portion and an outer portion, and wherein the washer is configured in the anvil such that when the instrument is fired, the cutting instrument cuts the washer such that the inner portion is separated from the outer portion.

2. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the washer comprises a plurality of staple guide sections, each staple guide section defining at least one opening such that, when the instrument is fired, ends of the staples of the staple cartridge are driven through the openings and formed against the anvil.

3. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein each staple guide section is configured such that, when the instrument is fired, the ends of the staples, after being formed against the anvil, contact the staple guide sections.

4. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the washer comprises a non-bioabsorbable material.

5. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the washer comprises a healing agent.

6. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the washer comprises a remotely detectable material.

7. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the remotely detectable material comprises a material that is detectable by electromagnetic radiation.

8. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the electromagnetic radiation comprises x-rays.

9. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the remotely detectable material comprises fluorescent nanoparticles.

10. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein:

the staple cartridge comprises at least an inner row of staples and an outer row of staples; and

the outer portion of the washer comprises;

an inner row of staple guide sections aligned with the inner row of staples; and

an outer row of staple guide sections aligned with the outer row of staples.

11. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the outer portion of the washer further comprises a plurality of springs, such that each spring is between one of the inner row staple guide sections and one of the outer row staple guide sections.

12. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the washer further comprises tabs between the inner portion and the outer portion.

13. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the washer is circular.

14. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the outer portion of the washer is elliptical.

15. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising:

a shaft assembly connected to the head;

a handle assembly connected to the shaft assembly; and

a trigger connected to the handle assembly for firing the instrument.

16. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 10, further comprising:

a shaft assembly connected to the head;

a handle assembly connected to the shaft assembly; and

a trigger connected to the handle assembly for firing the instrument.

17. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the anvil comprises a staple forming surface facing the head such that, when fired, the staples are formed against the staple forming surface of the anvil.

18. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the outer portion of the washer comprises staple forming pockets.

19. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the washer is made from injection-molded plastic.

20. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the washer is made from injection-molded plastic.

21. The circular cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the washer is made from injection-molded, nonabsorbable plastic.

22. A cutting and stapling surgical instrument, comprising:

a head;

a cutting member;

a channel configured to receive a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an anvil; and

a washer positioned intermediate the anvil and the head, wherein the washer comprises a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the washer is configured such that, when the instrument is fired, the cutting member cuts the washer such that the first portion is separated from the second portion.

23. The cutting and stapling surgical instrument of claim 22 wherein the washer is inserted in the anvil.