MOVABLE MEMBER FOR USE WITH A TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR

• US 20130256382A1
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Swayze, Jeffrey S., Uth, Joshua R., Leimbach, Richard L., Stammen, John L., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Tidwell, Samuel P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,517,063 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/105 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 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• 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 2017/00495 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 for sutures A61B2017/0618
• 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 2017/00942 : hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• 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 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• 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 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• 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 by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 : Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 : Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• 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: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour

Abstract

A cutting blade for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed therein. The cutting blade can include one or more features to direct or displace substances released from within the tissue thickness compensators used with the surgical instrument. The cutting blade may include a textured surface that can cause substances from the tissue thickness compensator to spread across the blade surface.

Claims

1. A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapler, the surgical stapler comprising an anvil, said disposable loading unit comprising:

a housing assembly;

a staple cartridge assembly, wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises a staple cartridge body that defines a staple deck and a slot, wherein said staple cartridge assembly further comprises a tissue thickness compensator arranged adjacent to said staple deck, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a substance therein;

a knife assembly positioned within said housing assembly and arranged to move relative to said staple cartridge assembly along said slot, said knife assembly comprising;

a cutting surface configured to incise said tissue thickness compensator captured between said staple cartridge assembly and an anvil of the surgical stapler as said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly; and

an interaction surface arranged relative to said cutting surface, wherein said interaction surface is configured to direct at least a portion of said substance within said tissue thickness compensator as said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly.

2. The disposable loading unit of claim 1, wherein said knife assembly further comprises a blade, wherein said cutting surface is defined on said blade, wherein said blade defines a first surface and a second surface opposed to said first surface, and wherein said first surface comprises said interaction surface.

3. The disposable loading unit of claim 2, wherein said interaction surface comprises a raised ridge on said first surface of said blade.

4. The disposable loading unit of claim 2, wherein said interaction surface comprises a channel in said first surface of said blade.

5. The disposable loading unit of claim 2, wherein said interaction surface is a first interaction surface;

wherein said second surface of said knife assembly further comprises a second interaction surface arranged relative to said cutting surface, said second interaction surface being configured to direct at least a portion of said substance within said tissue thickness compensators said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly.

6. The disposable loading unit of claim 5, wherein said second interaction surface comprises a raised ridge on said second surface of said blade.

7. The disposable loading unit of claim 5, wherein said second interaction surface comprises a channel in said second surface of said blade.

8. The disposable loading unit of claim 1, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is a first tissue thickness compensator, wherein said substance is a first substance, and wherein said interaction surface is a first interaction surface, and wherein said disposable loading unit further comprises:

a second tissue thickness compensator configured to be arranged adjacent to the anvil of the surgical stapler, wherein said second tissue thickness compensator comprises a second substance therein; and

a second interaction surface arranged relative to said cutting surface, wherein said second interaction surface is configured to direct at least a portion of said second substance within said second tissue thickness compensators said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly.

9. The disposable loading unit of claim 8, wherein said knife assembly further comprises a blade, wherein said blade comprises said cutting surface, wherein said blade defines a first surface and a second surface opposed to said first surface, wherein said first and second interaction surfaces are arranged on said first surface of said blade, and wherein said second surface comprises:

a third interaction surface arranged relative to said cutting surface and configured to direct at least a portion of said first substance within said first tissue thickness compensators said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly; and

a fourth interaction surface arranged relative to said cutting surface and configured to direct at least a portion of said second substance within said second tissue thickness compensators said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly.

10. The disposable loading unit of claim 8, wherein said first substance is different than said second substance.

11. The disposable loading unit of claim 1 wherein said knife assembly further comprises a blade, wherein said cutting surface is defined on said blade, and wherein said blade comprises a textured surface.

12. A surgical stapler, comprising:

a handle;

a trigger configured to move between an unactuated position and an actuated position;

a staple cartridge operably connected to said trigger, wherein said staple cartridge defines a staple deck and a slot;

an anvil operably connected to said handle, wherein said anvil comprises at least one staple-forming surface;

a tissue thickness compensator arranged relative to said staple deck and said anvil, said tissue thickness compensator comprising a substance within; and

a knife assembly and arranged to move relative to said staple cartridge along said slot, said knife assembly comprising a cutting surface configured to incise said tissue thickness compensator arranged relative to said staple cartridge and said anvil, said knife assembly further comprising a guide arranged relative to said cutting surface, wherein said guide is configured to direct at least a portion of said substance within said tissue thickness compensator as said knife assembly moves relative to said staple cartridge.

13. The surgical stapler of claim 12, wherein said knife assembly further comprises a blade, wherein said cutting surface is defined on said blade, wherein said blade defines a first surface and a second surface opposed to said first surface, and wherein said first surface comprises said guide.

14. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein said guide comprises a raised ridge on said first surface of said blade.

15. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein said guide comprises a channel in said first surface of said blade.

16. The surgical stapler of claim 13, wherein said guide is a first guide, and wherein said second surface of said knife assembly further comprises:

a second guide arranged relative to said cutting surface, wherein said second guide is configured to direct at least a portion of said substance within said tissue thickness compensators said knife assembly moves relative to said cartridge assembly.

17. The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein said second guide comprises a raised ridge on said second surface of said blade.

18. The surgical stapler of claim 16, wherein said second guide comprises a channel in said second surface of said blade.

19. The surgical stapler of claim 12, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is a first tissue thickness compensator arranged relative to said staple deck, wherein said substance is a first substance, wherein said guide is a first guide, said surgical stapler further comprising a second tissue thickness compensator arranged relative to said anvil, said second tissue thickness compensator comprising a second substance therein, and wherein said knife assembly further comprises a second guide arranged relative to said cutting surface, wherein said second guide is configured to direct at least a portion of said second substance within said second tissue thickness compensator.

20. The surgical stapler of claim 19, wherein said knife assembly further comprises:

a blade, wherein said blade defines said cutting surface, wherein said blade defines a first surface and a second surface opposed to said first surface, and wherein said first surface comprises said first guide and said second guide, and wherein said second surface comprises;

a third guide arranged relative to said cutting surface and configured to direct at least a portion of said first substance within said first tissue thickness compensator as said knife assembly moves relative to said staple cartridge; and

a fourth guide arranged relative to said cutting surface and configured to direct at least a portion of said second substance within said second tissue thickness compensator as said knife assembly moves relative to said staple cartridge.

21. The surgical stapler of claim 19, wherein said first substance is different than said second substance.

22. The surgical stapler of claim 12, wherein said knife assembly further comprises a blade, wherein said cutting surface is defined on said blade, and wherein the blade comprises a textured surface.