VARIABLE SIZE-UNIFORM COMPRESSION STAPLE ASSEMBLY

• US 20100137904A1
• Filed: 05/05/2008
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,636,111 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/220
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material

Abstract

There is provided a variable size, uniform compression staple assembly for use in stapling differing thicknesses of tissues. The staple assembly includes a staple and a staple block for receipt of tissue penetrating tips of the staple. Upon assembly through tissue, the tissue penetrating tips of the staple lodge within the staple block to a depth inversely proportional to the thickness of the tissues being stapled. There is also disclosed an anvil configured for use with the staple assembly.

Claims

1. A staple assembly for use with various thicknesses of tissues comprising:

a staple having a backspan and a pair of legs extending from the backspan, each of the legs terminating in a tissue penetrating tip; and

a staple block for receipt of the tissue penetrating tips, wherein the tissue penetrating tips lodge in the staple block upon being formed in a surgical stapler.

2. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block receives the tissue penetrating tips along a common axis.

3. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block receives the tissue penetrating tips along parallel axes.

4. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the tissue penetrating tips lodge into the staple block to a first depth upon passage through a first tissue having a first thickness.

5. The staple assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the tissue penetrating tips lodge into the staple block to a second depth different from the first depth upon passage through a second tissue having a second thickness different from the first thickness.

6. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the depth of penetration of the tissue penetrating tips into the staple block is inversely proportional to the tissue thickness encountered.

7. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block is formed of a composite material.

8. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block is formed of a plastic material.

9. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block is formed of a polymeric material.

10. The staple assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the staple block is formed of an absorbable material.

11. An anvil for use with a two part staple assembly comprising;

an anvil having a first staple clinching pocket, a second staple clinching pocket spaced apart from the first staple clinching pocket and a recess for receipt of a component of a two part staple assembly and defined between the first and second staple clinching pockets.

12. The anvil as recited in claim 11, wherein the recess is substantially rectangular for receipt of a staple block of the staple assembly.

13. The anvil as recited in claim 11, wherein the first staple clinching pocket lies along a first axis and the second staple clinching pocket lies along a second axis parallel to the first axis.

14. The anvil as recited in claim 11, wherein the first staple clinching pocket lies along a first axis and the second staple clinching pocket lies along a second axis, the first and second axes lying along a common axis.

15. The anvil as recited in claim 11, further comprising a staple block removably received in the recess.

16. A method of stapling tissues of differing thicknesses with a uniform size staple assembly comprising;

providing a surgical stapler having a staple head containing a staple and an anvil, the anvil and staple head being relatively movable, the anvil releasably containing a staple block;

capturing a tissue having a first thickness between the staple head and the anvil;

passing the staple through the tissue such that tips of the staple lodge into the staple block to a depth proportional to the first thickness of the tissue.

17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the tips of the staple pass into the staple block along parallel axes.

18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the tips of the staple pass into the staple block along a common axis.