FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A RELEASABLY ATTACHED TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR

• US 20130221065A1
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Published: 08/29/2013
• 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., Vendely, Michael J., Lloyd, Brandon J., Miller, Michael J., Setser, Michael E., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 9,566,061 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 17/068 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below 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 17/105 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 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00862 : elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2916 : pins in guiding slots
• 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: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body and a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to the cartridge body. The tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible first portion and a second support portion. The second portion can be rigid and can support the first portion when mounted thereto. The properties of the first portion and/or the second portion can be selected so as to prevent the premature deflection and release from the cartridge body. The fastener cartridge can further comprise one or more attachment portions configured to releasably hold the tissue thickness compensator to the cartridge body. The attachment portions can be configured to permit a firing member to pass therethrough. In some circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator can be configured to hold the firing member in an unfired position until a sufficient firing force has been applied to the firing member.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator, comprising;

a compressible portion, wherein said staples are configured to capture at least a portion of said compressible portion therein when said staples are moved from an unfired position to a fired position, and wherein said compressible portion comprises a first end and a second end; and

a severable rigid support portion extending through said compressible portion, wherein said rigid support portion is configured to resist the movement of said first end relative to said second end prior to being severed.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said rigid support portion comprises a first mount extending from said first end of said compressible portion and a second mount extending from said second end of said compressible portion, and wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a first attachment member configured to releasably attach said first mount to said cartridge body and a second attachment member configured to releasably attach said second mount to said cartridge body.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said rigid support portion comprises a mount extending from said first end of said compressible portion, and wherein said cartridge body further comprises a first attachment portion configured to releasably attach said mount to said cartridge body.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a mount member configured to hold said tissue thickness compensator to said cartridge body.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said mount member is configured to trap a portion of said tissue thickness compensator against said cartridge body.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said mount member is configured to engage said cartridge body by a snap-fit connection.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said mount member is severable.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a firing member movably stored within said cartridge body, wherein said firing member is movable from said first end of said tissue thickness compensator toward said second end, wherein said firing member is configured to move said staples from said unfired position to said fired position, and wherein said first end of said tissue thickness compensator comprises a detent portion configured to releasably hold said firing member in position.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 8, wherein said detent portion is stiffer than said compressible portion.

10. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored within said cartridge body;

a tissue thickness compensator, comprising;

a first end;

a second end;

a compressible portion, wherein said staples are configured to capture at least a portion of said compressible portion therein when said staples are moved from an unfired position to a fired position; and

a detent portion; and

a firing member at least partially stored within said cartridge body, wherein said firing member is movable from said first end of said tissue thickness compensator toward said second end, wherein said firing member is configured to move said staples from said unfired position to said fired position, and wherein said detent portion is configured to releasably hold said firing member in position.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said detent portion is stiffer than said compressible portion.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said detent portion comprises a tab, wherein said firing member further comprises a recess configured to receive said tab, and wherein said tab is configured to slide out of said recess when said firing member is advanced toward said second end.

13. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said detent portion is configured to releasably hold said firing member in position until a firing force applied thereto exceeds a threshold force.

14. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said detent portion is positioned closer to said first end than said staples.

15. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a distal clamp portion;

a plurality of staples removably stored within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator, comprising;

a compressible portion, wherein said staples are configured to capture at least a portion of said compressible portion therein when said staples are moved from an unfired position to a fired position, and wherein said compressible portion comprises a first end and a second end; and

a support portion, wherein said compressible portion is mounted to said support portion, wherein said support portion is configured to resist the movement of said first end relative to said second end, wherein said support portion comprises a tab extending from said second end, and wherein said tab is removably positioned within said distal clamp portion.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 15, wherein said support portion comprises a film, and wherein said distal clamp portion comprises a slot.