FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES

• US 20150297230A1
• Filed: 06/30/2014
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schellin, Emily A., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Harris, Jason L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,877,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/072 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 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 : during shipment
• 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 2090/306 : using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 : using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 : Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1425 : by reconfiguration of node membership

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can include, one, a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities and, two, a plurality of fasteners positioned in the fastener cavities. The deck can comprise features for controlling the flow of tissue relative thereto. In some instances, the features can support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cavities.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:

a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein a plurality of cavities are defined into said cartridge body, wherein each said cavity comprises an opening in said deck, and wherein said deck comprises a perimeter;

a plurality of staples, wherein each said staple is removably positioned in a said cavity; and

a rail extending along at least a portion of said deck intermediate said plurality of cavities and said perimeter.

2. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said rail comprises a continuous tissue-contacting surface.

3. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said rail comprises a non-linear portion.

4. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a second lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

5. The fastener cartridge of claim 4, wherein said rail is positioned intermediate said distal end and said cavities.

6. The fastener cartridge of claim 4, wherein said rail is positioned intermediate said cavities and said first lateral side.

7. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises;

a first longitudinal deck portion comprising a first height; and

a second longitudinal deck portion comprising a second height which is different than said first height;

a first longitudinal row of fastener cavities defined in said first longitudinal deck portion;

a second longitudinal row of fastener cavities defined in said second longitudinal deck portion; and

a projection extending from said first longitudinal deck portion and said second longitudinal deck portion; and

a plurality of fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities.

8. The fastener cartridge of claim 7, wherein said projection spans said first longitudinal deck portion and said second longitudinal deck portion.

9. The fastener cartridge of claim 7, wherein said projection traverses said first longitudinal deck portion and said second longitudinal deck portion.

10. The fastener cartridge of claim 7, wherein said projection comprises a top surface, and wherein said top surface is flat.

11. The fastener cartridge of claim 7, further comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a second lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

12. The fastener cartridge of claim 11, wherein said projection extends in a direction which is transverse to said first lateral side and said second lateral side.

13. The fastener cartridge of claim 11, wherein said projection extends in a direction which is parallel to said distal end.

14. The fastener cartridge of claim 11, wherein said projection extends intermediate fastener cavities in said first longitudinal row of fastener cavities and intermediate fastener cavities in said second longitudinal row of fastener cavities.

15. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck configured to support tissue, wherein said deck comprises;

a first longitudinal deck portion comprising a first height; and

a second longitudinal deck portion comprising a second height which is different than said first height;

a first longitudinal row of fastener cavities defined in said first longitudinal deck portion;

a second longitudinal row of fastener cavities defined in said second longitudinal deck portion;

a first projection extending from said first longitudinal deck portion;

a second projection extending from said second longitudinal deck portion; and

an interconnection connecting said first projection and said second projection; and

a plurality of fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities.

16. The fastener cartridge of claim 15, wherein said first projection, said second projection and said interconnection define a top surface, and wherein said top surface is flat.

17. The fastener cartridge of claim 15, further comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a second lateral side extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

18. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein said first projection and said second projection extend in a direction which is transverse to said first lateral side and said second lateral side.

19. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein said first projection and said second projection extend in a direction which is parallel to said distal end.

20. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein said first projection extends intermediate fastener cavities in said first longitudinal row of fastener cavities and said second projection extends intermediate fastener cavities in said second longitudinal row of fastener cavities.

21. A fastener cartridge for use with a surgical instrument, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:

a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein a plurality of cavities are defined into said cartridge body, wherein each said cavity comprises an opening in said deck, and wherein said deck comprises a perimeter;

a plurality of staples, wherein each said staple is removably positioned in a said cavity; and

tissue flow control means for controlling the flow of tissue relative to said deck positioned laterally with respect to said cavities.

22. The fastener cartridge of claim 21, wherein said tissue flow control means is positioned longitudinally with respect to said cavities.