TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER PATH

• US 20140291379A1
• Filed: 03/27/2013
• Published: 10/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schellin, Emily A., Weaner, Lauren S., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Vendely, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US13/851,676
• Publication Number:
  US 20140291379A1
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners. In use, the fastener cartridge can be arranged in a jaw of a surgical fastening device. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward an anvil wherein the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. The cartridge body can further comprise a first knife path configured to receive a cutting member and the tissue thickness compensator can further comprise a second knife path aligned with the first knife path. The second knife path can comprise different portions configured to apply different resistances to the cutting member as the cutting member is advanced through the fastener cartridge.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

fastener cavities; and

a first knife path configured to receive a cutting member;

fasteners removably stored within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said cartridge body, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a second knife path configured to receive the cutting member, and wherein said second knife path is aligned with said first knife path.

2. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said tissue thickness compensator further comprises:

a first fastening portion positioned on a first side of said second knife path, wherein a first group of said fasteners are configured to at least partially capture said first fastening portion; and

a second fastening portion positioned on a second side of said second knife path, wherein a second group of said fasteners are configured to at least partially capture said second fastening portion, and wherein said second knife path releasably holds said first fastening portion to said second fastening portion.

3. The fastener cartridge of claim 2, wherein said first fastening portion, said second fastening portion, and portions of said second knife path are defined by the same thickness.

4. The fastener cartridge of claim 2, wherein said second knife path comprises a plurality of connectors connecting said first fastening portion to said second fastening portion, and wherein said connectors are configured to resist relative movement between said first fastening portion and said second fastening portion prior to being incised by the cutting member.

5. The fastener cartridge of claim 4, wherein said first fastening portion, said second fastening portion, and said connectors are defined by the same thickness.

6. The fastener cartridge of claim 4, wherein said second knife path comprises a plurality of apertures positioned intermediate said connectors.

7. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said second knife path comprises variations in thickness along the length thereof.

8. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said second knife path comprises:

a first portion comprising a first resistance to the cutting member; and

a second portion comprising a second resistance to the cutting member, wherein said first resistance is different than said second resistance.

9. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said second knife path comprises:

a plurality of first portions, wherein each said first portion comprises a first resistance to the cutting member; and

a plurality of second portions, wherein each said second portion comprises a second resistance to the cutting member, wherein said first resistance is different than said second resistance.

10. The fastener cartridge of claim 9, wherein said first portions and said second portions are arranged in an alternating arrangement.

11. The fastener cartridge of claim 9, wherein said second knife path comprises a plurality of third portions, wherein each said third portion comprises a third resistance to the cutting member, wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and said second resistance.

12. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises:

a fastening portion;

a proximal end; and

a distal end, wherein a fastening cross-section extending through said fastening portion between said proximal end and said distal end transects a first amount of material, wherein an incisable cross-section extending through said second knife path between said proximal end and said distal end transects a second amount of material, and wherein said first amount of material is less than said second amount of material.

13. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said fasteners are movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and wherein said fasteners are at least partially embedded in said tissue thickness compensator when said fasteners are in said unfired position.

14. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

fastener cavities; and

a first knife slot configured to receive a cutting member;

fasteners removably stored within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said cartridge body, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises;

a first fastening portion, wherein a first group of said fasteners are configured to at least partially capture said first fastening portion;

a second fastening portion, wherein a second group of said fasteners are configured to at least partially capture said second fastening portion; and

an incisable second knife slot configured to receive the cutting member, wherein said second knife slot releasably connects said first fastening portion to said second fastening portion, and wherein said second knife slot extends parallel to said first knife slot.

15. The fastener cartridge of claim 14, wherein said second knife slot comprises:

a plurality of first slot portions, wherein each said first slot portion comprises a first resistance to the cutting member; and

a plurality of second slot portions, wherein each said second slot portion comprises a second resistance to the cutting member, wherein said first resistance is different than said second resistance.

16. The fastener cartridge of claim 15, wherein said second slot portions comprise clearance apertures, and wherein said second resistance comprises no resistance.

17. The fastener cartridge of claim 14, wherein said second knife slot comprises resistance means for pulsing the resistance applied to the cutting member as the cutting member travels through said second knife slot.

18. The fastener cartridge of claim 14, wherein said second knife slot comprises drag reduction means for reducing the drag applied to the cutting member as the cutting member moves through said second knife slot.

19. An end effector configured to fasten and incise the tissue of a patient, said end effector comprising:

an anvil;

a cutting member movable between a proximal position and a distal position;

a cartridge body, comprising;

fastener cavities; and

a first knife path configured to receive said cutting member;

fasteners removably stored within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to said cartridge body, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a second knife path configured to receive said cutting member, and wherein said second knife path extends over said first knife path.

20. The fastener cartridge of claim 19, wherein said second knife slot comprises a plurality of apertures, wherein said apertures are configured to receive at least a portion of the tissue.

21. The fastener cartridge of claim 20, wherein said apertures comprise through holes extending through said tissue thickness compensator.