IMPLANTABLE LAYERS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL FASTENING INSTRUMENTS

• US 20150238185A1
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schellin, Emily A., Vendely, Michael J., Weaner, Lauren S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Reynolds, Donald L. II, Timmer, Mark D., Donners, Jackie J., Barton, Trevor J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,839,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/07257 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: A61L 31/04 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/00 Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor by liberation of internal stresses B29C61/006
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/52 : Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/00 : Shaping by stretching, e.g. drawing through a die; Apparatus therefor B29C61/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/20 : for porous or cellular articles, e.g. of foam plastics, coarse-pored chemical aspects of working up macro-molecular substances to porous or cellular articles C08J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 : cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0056 : Biocompatible, e.g. biopolymers or bioelastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7546 : Surgical equipment

Abstract

A method is disclosed for altering a implantable layer which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprising a surface at least partially comprised from a material with a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the surface to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the surface, allowing the manipulated surface to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the surface.

Claims

1. A method for altering a tissue thickness compensator, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprising a surface, wherein said surface is comprised at least partially from a material with a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;

heating said surface to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;

manipulating said surface;

allowing said manipulated surface to cool below said glass transition temperature; and

releasing said surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of obtaining said tissue thickness compensator comprises the steps of:

obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;

dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution; and

lyophilizing said solution.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of manipulating said surface comprises applying at least one compressive force to said surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of manipulating said surface comprises applying at least one tensile force to said surface.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of actively cooling said manipulated surface below said glass transition temperature.

6. A customized tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said customized tissue thickness compensator is prepared by a process comprising the steps of:

obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprising a melting temperature;

obtaining a surface modifier comprising a contacting surface;

heating said contacting surface to a temperature at least equal said melting temperature of said tissue thickness compensator;

engaging a surface of said tissue thickness compensator with said heated contacting surface; and

removing said surface modifier.

7. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said step of obtaining said tissue thickness compensator comprises the steps of:

obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;

dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution; and

lyophilizing said solution.

8. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said step of engaging said surface of said tissue thickness compensator comprises applying at least one compressive force to said surface.

9. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said process further comprises maintaining said engagement between said surface of said tissue thickness compensator and said heated contacting surface of said surface modifier for a time period sufficient to melt said surface.

10. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said process further comprises the step of actively cooling said tissue thickness compensator.

11. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6, wherein said surface modifier comprises a heating element configured to heat said contacting surface.

12. A method for producing a biocompatible foam for use with a surgical stapler, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;

dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution;

lyophilizing said solution to produce a biocompatible foam;

heating said biocompatible foam to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;

inserting a space creator into said biocompatible foam;

allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said glass transition temperature; and

removing said space creator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said space creator comprises a central beam insertable into said biocompatible foam.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said space creator comprises a plurality of protrusions insertable into said biocompatible foam.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said plurality of protrusions is arranged in rows.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said plurality of protrusions comprises a plurality of pins, wherein said space creator comprises a surface, and wherein each of said plurality of pins extends from said surface in parallel to each other.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said each of said plurality of pins extends from said surface along an axis that is perpendicular to said surface.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of actively cooling said biocompatible foam to return below said glass transition temperature.

19. A method for altering a biocompatible foam, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a biocompatible foam comprising a melting temperature;

heating a space creator to a temperature at least equal to said melting temperature of said biocompatible foam;

inserting said space creator into said biocompatible foam;

allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said melting temperature; and

removing said space creator.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said space creator comprises a central beam insertable into said biocompatible foam.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said space creator comprises a plurality of protrusions insertable into said biocompatible foam.