TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CAPSULES

• US 20120241496A1
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Aronhalt, Taylor W., Aldridge, Jeffrey L., Scheib, Charles J., Yang, Chunlin, Schall, Christopher J., Baxter, Chester O. III, Chun, Iksoo, Bezwada, Rao S., Conlon, Sean P., Cropper, Michael S., Uth, Joshua R., Leimbach, Richard L., Korvick, Donna L., Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Venkataramanan
• Granted Patent: US 9,301,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00889 antimicrobial, disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00938 : hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00942 : hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 : containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/042 : Polysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/129 : containing macromolecular fillers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/14 : Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/148 : Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 : Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 1/04 : Oxycellulose; Hydrocellulose , e.g. microcrystalline cellulose

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a plurality of layers. Various embodiments are disclosed herein for manufacturing a tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one medicament tube, capsule, and/or packet contained therein

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a tissue thickness compensator, said method comprising the steps of:

preparing a solution comprising a hydrophilic material;

dissolving a medicament into said solution;

mixing the solution with a hydrophobic material;

pouring the solution into a mold; and

lyophilizing the solution.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said lyophilizing step comprises the steps of placing the mold in a vacuum chamber, reducing the atmospheric pressure within the vacuum chamber, and lowering the temperature within the vacuum chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said lyophilizing step produces a sheet of material, and wherein said method further comprises the step of dissecting the sheet of material.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the medicament dissolves into microparticles within the solution during said dissolving step.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the microparticles are suspended in the hydrophobic material after said mixing step.

6. A tissue thickness compensator for use with a fastening instrument, said tissue thickness compensator comprising

a compressible layer configured to be at least partially captured by fasteners;

and

a plurality of capsules embedded in said compressible layer.

7. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein the fastening instrument comprises an anvil, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises an attachment portion configured to be attached to the anvil.

8. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said compressible layer comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein said capsules are embedded in said tissue-contacting surface.

9. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein each said capsule comprises a frangible shell.

10. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said plurality of capsules comprises first capsules and second capsules, wherein said first capsules are comprised of a first medicament, and wherein said second capsules are comprised of a second medicament which is different than said first medicament.

11. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 10, wherein said first capsules and said second capsules are arranged along a path in an alternating arrangement.

12. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 11, wherein said compressible layer comprises channels extending from said capsules, and wherein said channels are configured to convey said first medicament and said second medicament.

13. The tissue thickness compensator of claim 12, wherein said anvil includes a plurality of recesses, and wherein each said recess is configured to receive a said capsule.

14. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck and staple cavities defined in said deck;

staples, wherein each said staple is at least partially positioned in a said staple cavity, and wherein said staples are movable between unfired positions and fired positions;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples at least partially extend into said tissue thickness compensator, and wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when they are moved between said unfired positions and said fired positions; and

a substrate positioned intermediate said tissue thickness compensator and said deck.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of enclosed tubes including a medicament positioned therein.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 15, wherein said enclosed tubes are aligned with said staples.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 15, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a slot configured to receive a cutting member, wherein said enclosed tubes extend over said slot, and wherein said enclosed tubes are configured to be incised by the cutting member to release said medicament contained therein.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 17, wherein each said enclosed tube extends along a tube axis, and wherein each said tube axis extends in a direction transverse to said slot.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 15, wherein said medicament comprises a fluid.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein each said staple comprises at least one staple leg, wherein said substrate comprises a plurality of apertures, and wherein said staple legs extend through said apertures.

21. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said compressible tissue compensator is attached to said substrate.