RETAINER ASSEMBLY INCLUDING A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR
First Claim
1. A staple cartridge assembly for a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler includes an anvil configured for a facing relationship with said staple cartridge assembly, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
- a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities;
a first tissue thickness compensator;
a retainer coupled to said cartridge body, wherein said first tissue thickness compensator is positioned intermediate said cartridge body and said retainer; and
a second tissue thickness compensator attached to at least one of said retainer and said first tissue thickness compensator, wherein said second tissue thickness compensator comprises an anvil attachment portion, wherein said retainer is positioned intermediate said first tissue thickness compensator and said second tissue thickness compensator, wherein said retainer is configured to be removed from between said first tissue thickness compensator and said tissue thickness compensators, and wherein said first and second tissue thickness compensators are configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different staples.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retainer for assembling tissue thickness compensators to a surgical stapler can comprise a grip, a first surface for supporting a first tissue thickness compensator, a second surface for supporting a second tissue thickness compensator, and clips for aligning and attaching the retainer to the surgical stapler. The clips may align and attach the retainer to a staple cartridge of the surgical instrument. The clips may align the retainer with an anvil of the surgical instrument. An insertion tool may be used in combination with the retainer to insert the retainer into the surgical stapler and to push the tissue thickness compensators against the anvil and/or the staple cartridge of the surgical instrument.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A staple cartridge assembly for a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler includes an anvil configured for a facing relationship with said staple cartridge assembly, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
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a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities; a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities; a first tissue thickness compensator; a retainer coupled to said cartridge body, wherein said first tissue thickness compensator is positioned intermediate said cartridge body and said retainer; and a second tissue thickness compensator attached to at least one of said retainer and said first tissue thickness compensator, wherein said second tissue thickness compensator comprises an anvil attachment portion, wherein said retainer is positioned intermediate said first tissue thickness compensator and said second tissue thickness compensator, wherein said retainer is configured to be removed from between said first tissue thickness compensator and said tissue thickness compensators, and wherein said first and second tissue thickness compensators are configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different staples. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cartridge assembly system for a surgical stapler, comprising:
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a staple cartridge, comprising; a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities; and a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities; a retainer, comprising; a first retainer plate; a second retainer plate; a connector connecting said first retainer plate and said second retainer plate, wherein said first retainer plate is pivotable relative to said second retainer plate about said connector; and a first cam on one of said first retainer plate and said second retainer plate; a first biocompatible layer removably attached to said cartridge body and removably attached to the first retainer plate; a second biocompatible layer removably attached to said second retainer plate, wherein said first biocompatible layer and said second biocompatible layer are configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and a spreader configured to be disposed intermediate said first retainer plate and said second retainer plate and configured to move relative to said retainer between a first position and a second position, said spreader comprising a second cam configured to engage said first cam, and wherein movement of said spreader from said first position to said second position causes relative movement between said first cam and said second cam and causes said first retainer plate and said second retainer plate to pivot away from each other.
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16. A retainer assembly for applying at least one tissue thickness compensator to a surgical stapler, wherein the surgical stapler includes an anvil configured for a facing relationship with said staple cartridge assembly, said retainer assembly comprising:
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a grip; a first surface; a second surface positioned opposite said first surface; at least one tissue thickness compensator; and a plurality of clips extending from said second surface, wherein said clips are configured to be attachable to at least one of a staple cartridge and a staple cartridge channel of a surgical stapler. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification