TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING RESILIENT MEMBERS

• US 20120241502A1
• 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: Aldridge, Jeffrey L., Yang, Chunlin, Scheib, Charles J., Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Venkataramanan, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Contiliano, Joseph H., Cropper, Michael S., Timperman, Eugene L., Henderson, Cortney E., Schmid, Katherine J., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 9,480,476 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 17/064 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 17/072 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 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• 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 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• 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 2017/07228 : 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 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• 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 2017/07271 : 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: A61L 31/00 : Materials for other surgical articles , e.g. stents, stent-grafts, shunts, surgical drapes, guide wires, materials for adhesion prevention, occluding devices, surgical gloves, tissue fixation devices shape or structure of stent-grafts A61F2/07, of stents A61F2/82, of surgical gloves A61B42/00, of surgical drapes A61B46/00, of occluding devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 : Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/145 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 : Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator comprising at least one woven lattice can be positioned in the end effector of a surgical instrument. A fastener cartridge that is positioned in the end effector can comprise at least one cavity configured to receive a fastener. The fastener can be moveable between an initial position, wherein the fastener is at least partially position in a cavity, and a fired position, wherein the fastener is configured to compress a woven lattice of the tissue thickness compensator. The woven lattice can comprise a resilient material such that compression of the woven lattice generates a restoring force. The woven lattice can also comprise an axis that can laterally traverse the fastener cartridge, diagonally traverse the fastener cartridge, or intersect a deck surface of the fastener cartridge. The woven lattice can comprise a hydrophilic substance, which can expand when the woven lattice is severed by a cutting element.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis, wherein said cartridge body comprises fastener cavities;

woven lattices extending across said longitudinal axis of said cartridge body, wherein said woven lattices comprise a resilient material; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is at least partially positioned in a said fastener cavity when said fastener is in said initial position, and wherein said fastener is configured to compress at least one woven lattice when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

2. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said fastener cavities are arranged in rows of fastener cavities, and wherein said rows of fastener cavities are substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

3. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein each woven lattice is oriented at approximately 45 degrees relative to said longitudinal axis of said cartridge body.

4. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one woven lattice traverses said rows of fastener cavities such that said at least one woven lattice is positioned between a first leg and a second leg of said fastener when said fastener is in said initial position.

5. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4, further comprising a sheet of material, wherein said sheet of material retains said woven lattices in said fastener cartridge.

6. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said woven lattices are at least partially filled with a material selected from a group comprising a haemostatic agent, an antimicrobial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anticoagulant agent, and an antibiotic agent.

7. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument comprising said fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1 and an anvil.

8. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body comprising;

a deck surface; and

fastener cavities in said deck surface;

a plurality of woven lattices, wherein said woven lattices comprise a resilient material;

and wherein each woven lattice comprises an axis that intersects said deck surface; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is at least partially positioned in a fastener cavity when said fastener is in said initial position, and wherein said fastener is configured to compress at least one woven lattice when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

9. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein said axis of each said woven lattice is substantially perpendicular to said deck surface.

10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein a first axis of a first woven lattice extends through a first aperture, wherein a second axis of a second woven lattice extends through a second aperture, and wherein said fastener comprises:

a base;

a first leg extending from said base, wherein said first aperture is configured to receive said first leg; and

a second leg extending from said base, wherein said second aperture is configured to receive said second leg.

11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, further comprising a sheet of material, wherein said woven lattices are positioned intermediate said deck surface of said cartridge body and said sheet of material.

12. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein said woven lattices are at least partially filled with a material selected from a group comprising a haemostatic agent, an antimicrobial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anticoagulant agent, and an antibiotic agent.

13. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein each said woven lattice is secured to an adjacent woven lattice.

14. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument comprising said fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8 and an anvil.

15. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side;

a tissue thickness compensator comprising severable lattices, wherein said severable lattices are laterally arranged intermediate said first longitudinal side and said second longitudinal side; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to engage a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said at least one fastener is moved between said initial position and said fired position.

16. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 15, wherein at least one severable lattice comprises a hydrophilic material, and wherein said hydrophilic material expands after said severable lattice is severed.

17. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 15, wherein said fastener is configured to puncture at least one said severable lattice when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

18. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 15, wherein said severable lattices are at least partially filled with a material selected from a group comprising a haemostatic agent, an antimicrobial agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an anticoagulant agent, and an antibiotic agent.

19. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

said fastener cartridge assembly of claim 15;

an anvil; and

a cutting element configured to translate along a longitudinal path intermediate said first longitudinal side and said second longitudinal side of said cartridge body, wherein said cutting element is configured to sever at least one said severable lattice as said cutting element translates along said longitudinal path.

20. The end effector assembly of claim 18, wherein a firing member is configured to eject said fastener from said fastener cavity, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said ejected fastener such that a portion of said tissue thickness compensator is captured within said deformed fastener.