STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES POSITIONED WITHIN A COMPRESSIBLE PORTION THEREOF

• US 20150374374A1
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• 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: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Baxter, Chester O. III, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Young, Joseph E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,265,072 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3209 Incision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• 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 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, 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.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A surgical stapling system for stapling patient tissue, comprising:

a handle;

a shaft extending from said handle;

an end effector attachable to said shaft, wherein said end effector comprises;

an anvil;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a deck surface including a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities;

a longitudinal slot defined in said cartridge body;

a proximal end; and

a distal end;

an implantable layer positioned adjacent to said deck surface; and

a plurality of anchors configured to releasably retain said implantable layer to said cartridge body; and

a firing system comprising a cutting edge, wherein said firing system is configured to translate within said longitudinal slot from said proximal end toward said distal end such that said anchors are progressively transected by said cutting edge to progressively release said implantable layer from said cartridge body while said staples are progressively ejected from said staple cavities to staple the patient tissue.

22. The surgical stapling system of claim 21, wherein said firing system is further configured to translate within said longitudinal slot from said proximal end toward said distal end to progressively transect the patient tissue.

23. The surgical stapling system of claim 21, wherein said firing system is further configured to translate within said longitudinal slot from said proximal end toward said distal end to progressively transect said implantable layer.

24. The surgical stapling system of claim 21, wherein said deck surface comprises a stepped deck surface, and wherein each step of said stepped deck surface comprises at least one longitudinal row of said staple cavities defined therein.

25. The surgical stapling system of claim 24, wherein said anvil comprises a staple forming surface, wherein the staples associated with a first step of said stepped deck surface are ejected against said staple forming surface to a first formed height, wherein the staples associated with a second step of said stepped deck surface are ejected against said staple forming surface to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different from said second formed height.

26. The surgical stapling system of claim 24, wherein said implantable layer comprises a bottom surface that mimics said stepped deck surface.

27. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, wherein said end effector comprises:

an anvil;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a support portion comprising a support surface including a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities;

a knife slot defined in said support portion;

a proximal end; and

a distal end;

an implantable layer positioned against said support portion;

one or more anchors configured to releasably hold said implantable layer to said support portion, wherein said one or more anchors traverse said knife slot between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a firing system comprising a cutting edge, wherein said firing system is configured to translate within said knife slot from said proximal end toward said distal end such that said one or more anchors are transected by said cutting edge to release said implantable layer from said support portion while said staples are progressively ejected from said staple cavities to staple the patient tissue.

28. The end effector of claim 27, wherein said firing system is further configured to translate within said knife slot from said proximal end toward said distal end to progressively transect the patient tissue.

29. The end effector of claim 27, wherein said firing system is further configured to translate within said knife slot from said proximal end toward said distal end to progressively transect said implantable layer.

30. The end effector of claim 27, wherein said support surface comprises a stepped support surface, and wherein each step of said stepped support surface comprises at least one longitudinal row of said staple cavities defined therein.

31. The end effector of claim 30, wherein said anvil comprises a staple forming surface, wherein the staples associated with a first step of said stepped support surface are ejected against said staple forming surface to a first formed height, wherein the staples associated with a second step of said stepped support surface are ejected against said staple forming surface to a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different from said second formed height.

32. The end effector of claim 30, wherein said implantable layer comprises a bottom surface that mimics said stepped support surface.

33. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, wherein said end effector comprises:

an anvil;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a support portion comprising a support surface including a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities;

a longitudinal slot defined in said support portion;

a proximal end; and

a distal end;

an implantable layer positioned against said support portion;

a proximal anchor configured to releasably retain said implantable layer to said support portion, wherein said proximal anchor extends over at least a portion of said implantable layer and said longitudinal slot;

a distal anchor configured to releasably retain said implantable layer to said support portion, wherein said distal anchor extends over at least a portion of said implantable layer and said longitudinal slot; and

a firing system comprising a cutting edge, wherein said firing system is configured to translate within said longitudinal slot from said proximal end toward said distal end such that said proximal anchor and said distal anchor are progressively transected by said cutting edge to progressively release said implantable layer from said support portion while said staples are progressively ejected from said staple cavities to staple the patient tissue.