CIRCULAR STAPLER AND STAPLE LINE REINFORCEMENT MATERIAL

• US 20120273547A1
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Published: 11/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hodgkinson, Gerald N., Stevenson, Richard, Whiffen, Jennifer
• Granted Patent: US 8,789,737 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/68 by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers , e.g. foam blocks mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots, an anvil assembly having an anvil member defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses, the staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both, having one or more attachment members; and a staple line reinforcement material attached to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding. The staple line reinforcement material can be attached to an anvil assembly utilizing a retainer.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots, an anvil assembly having an anvil member defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses, the staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both, having one or more attachment members; and

a staple line reinforcement material attached to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding.

2. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the staple line reinforcement material is releasably attached to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding.

3. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the staple line reinforcement material defines perforations adjacent the attachment members.

4. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rows of staple receiving slots are circular rows.

5. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of rows of staple forming recesses are circular rows.

6. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the one or more attachment members are funned on the anvil member by molding plastic.

7. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the one or more attachment members are disposed on the anvil member, the anvil member being made of metal, and the attachment members being made from plastic.

8. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 5, wherein the one or more attachment members are disposed on the staple cartridge assembly outwardly of the rows of staple receiving slots.

9. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 8, wherein the staple line reinforcement material is attached to the one or more attachment members and defines perforations adjacent the one or more attachment members.

10. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 5, wherein the one or more attachment members are disposed on the anvil assembly outwardly of the rows of staple forming recesses.

11. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 10, wherein the staple line reinforcement material is attached to the one or more attachment members and defines perforations adjacent the one or more attachment members.

12. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the anvil assembly includes a hub attached to the anvil member.

13. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1, wherein the anvil assembly includes a shaft and further comprising a tubular body portion, the staple cartridge assembly being mountable in the tubular body portion, and wherein the tubular body portion has a rod, the shaft of the anvil assembly being attachable to the shaft.

14. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 13, further comprising a handle assembly.

15. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots, an anvil assembly having a shaft and an anvil member, the anvil member defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses;

a retainer engaged to the shaft; and

a staple line reinforcement material attached to the anvil assembly by the retainer.

16. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of rows of staple receiving slots are circular rows.

17. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of rows of staple forming recesses are circular rows.

18. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 17, wherein the retainer is circular in shape and has a central aperture for receiving the shaft.

19. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 18, wherein the retainer is frictionally engaged with the shaft.

20. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 18, wherein the retainer is secured to the shaft utilizing a fastener.

21. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 18, wherein the retainer is secured to the shaft utilizing a snap-fit relationship between the retainer and the anvil assembly.

22. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 18, wherein the retainer, the shaft, or both is texturized in such a way so as to improve the frictional engagement of those parts.

23. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 22, wherein the surface of the shaft is mechanically treated.

24. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 22, wherein the shaft, the retainer, or both, have a coating that increases friction between the shaft and the retainer.

25. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 15, wherein the anvil assembly includes a hub attached to the anvil member.

26. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 15, further comprising a tubular body portion, the staple cartridge assembly being mountable in the tubular body portion, and wherein the tubular body portion has a rod, the shaft of the anvil assembly being attachable to the shaft.

27. The surgical stapling instrument according to claim 15, further comprising a handle assembly.