SURGICAL FASTENING APPARATUS

• US 20110095068A1
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Patel, Nihir
• Granted Patent: US 8,413,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• 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 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A surgical fastening apparatus having a fastener retaining frame including a first annular portion having a plurality of retainers circumferentially disposed thereon and a second annular portion having a plurality of circumferentially arranged perforations. The fastener retaining frame is detachably secured to a supporting structure. After the plurality of surgical fasteners have been mated with the plurality of retainers, an annular blade severs the perforations.

Claims

1. A surgical fastening apparatus comprising:

a fastener retaining frame including a first annular portion having a plurality of retainers disposed thereon and a second annular portion having a plurality of perforations formed therein;

a fastener guide member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the surgical fasteners mateable with the plurality of retainers to fasten tissue therebetween;

a supporting structure for the fastener retaining frame, the fastener retaining frame detachably secured to the supporting structure;

an annular pusher for ejecting the plurality of surgical fasteners from the fastener guide member towards the plurality of corresponding retainers; and

an annular blade for severing the plurality of perforations after the plurality of surgical fasteners have been mated with the plurality of retainers.

2. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retainers on the first annular portion are circumferentially disposed thereon and the plurality of perforations in the second annular portion are circumferentially arranged therein, wherein the first and second annular portions are concentrically arranged.

3. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the supporting structure comprises a flange member detachably securing the fastener retaining frame, wherein the flange member is fixedly attached to an anvil.

4. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second annular portion is concentrically arranged within the first annular portion.

5. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first annular portion further includes a plurality of links connecting the plurality of retainers.

6. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of retainers are monolithically formed.

7. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first annular portion is monolithically formed with the second annular portion.

8. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of retainers circumferentially disposed on the first annular portion of the fastener retaining frame are arranged to define two concentric rings of retainers.

9. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retainers are substantially uniformly spaced apart.

10. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of circumferentially disposed perforations in the second annular portion are spaced apart substantially uniformly.

11. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of retainers and surgical fasteners are made of biodegradable polymer.

12. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fastener retaining frame is made of biodegradable polymer.

13. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 3, wherein the flange member defines an annular recess to attach therein the fastener retaining frame.

15. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fastener retaining frame has a snap-fit configuration with the flange member.

16. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of perforations defined in the second annular portion has a radially notched portion.

17. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of perforations defined in the second annular portion has a pair of opposing slits.

18. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of surgical fasteners are configured to snap-fit with the plurality of retainers.

19. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, wherein the thickness of a part defining the plurality of perforations in the second annular portion is less than that of a remainder of the second annular portion.

20. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener retaining frame is elastic.

14. A surgical fastening apparatus of claim 14, wherein the flange member includes a ledge to securely attach thereto the fastener retaining frame and a distal side of the fastener retaining frame is axially tapered with respect to the thickness thereof.