CIRCULAR FASTENER CARTRIDGES FOR APPLYING RADIALLY EXPANDABLE FASTENER LINES

• US 20160089149A1
• Filed: 07/23/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Harris, Jason L., Morgan, Jerome R., Zeiner, Mark S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 10,426,477 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 17/0684 having a forming anvil staying above the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00942 hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/07264 : 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 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4618 : of cartilage

Abstract

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a circular surgical fastening device. The fastener cartridge assembly includes a cartridge body that has a circular deck. A plurality of fastener cavities is provided in the circular deck. Each fastener cavity includes two cavity ends wherein one cavity end of each of the fastener cavities is positioned on a first circular axis having a first radius and wherein the other cavity end of each fastener cavity is positioned on a second circular axis that has a second radius that differs from the first radius.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a deck;

a first row of staple cavities defined in said deck;

a second row of staple cavities defined in said deck;

a plurality of first staples removably stored in said first row; and

a plurality of second staples removably stored in said second row, wherein said first staples and said second staples are arranged such that a said first staple extends under a said second staple.

22. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein each said first staple extends under a said second staple.

23. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 22, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a pair of second legs extending from said second base, and wherein each said first base extends under a said second base.

24. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein said first staples are interlocked with said second staples.

25. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 24, wherein each said first staple is paired with a said second staple.

26. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein each said staple cavity in said first row extends at a first angle, and wherein each said staple cavity in said second row extends at a second angle which is transverse to said first angle.

27. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein each said first base extends in a first direction, and wherein each said second base extends in a second direction which is transverse to said first direction.

28. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein said staple cavities in said first row are not parallel to said staple cavities in said second row.

29. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein said first staples are not parallel to said second staples.

30. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge comprising:

a plurality of staples; and

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a plurality of staple cavities; and

a deck, comprising;

a first surface;

a second surface vertically offset from said first surface; and

a longitudinal ridge that defines the vertical offset between said first surface and said second surface, wherein said longitudinal ridge defines a non-linear path extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

31. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said deck further comprises:

a third surface vertically offset from said second surface; and

a second longitudinal ridge that defines the vertical offset between said second surface and said third surface, wherein said second longitudinal ridge defines a second non-linear path extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

32. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said longitudinal ridge comprises a first portion that defines a first axis transverse to said longitudinal slot and a second portion that defines a second axis transverse to said longitudinal slot and said first axis.

33. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said staple cavities comprise a plurality of first cavities and a plurality of second cavities, wherein each said first cavity defines a first axis transverse to said longitudinal slot, and wherein each said second cavity defines a second axis transverse to said longitudinal slot and said first axis.

34. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said longitudinal ridge comprises a radial profile.

35. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said first surface comprises a toothed profile.

36. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said first surface comprises a wavy profile.

37. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said first surface comprises a scalloped profile.

38. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;

a deck;

a longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said deck;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said row of staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises;

a base;

a first leg extending from said base; and

a second leg extending from said base; and

a ramp configured to move from said proximal end toward said distal end to eject said staples from said staple cavities, wherein said ramp travels along a path aligned with said bases of said staples, wherein said first staple legs are positioned on a first side of said path, and wherein said second staple legs are positioned on a second side of said path.

39. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 38, wherein said base, said first leg, and said second leg of each said staple are co-planar.

40. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 39, wherein each said staple comprises a first staple, wherein said longitudinal row of staple cavities comprises a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said staple cartridge assembly further comprises:

a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said deck;

a plurality of second staples removably stored in said second row of staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises;

a second base; and

staple legs extending from said second base; and

a second ramp configured to move from said proximal end toward said distal end to eject said second staples from said second row of staple cavities, wherein said second ramp travels along a second path aligned with said second bases of said second staples, and wherein said staple legs of each said second staple are positioned on opposite sides of said second path.

41. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 40, wherein said second base and said legs of each said second staple are co-planar.

42. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 41, wherein said first staples are parallel to one another when said first staples are stored in said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said second staples are parallel to one another when said second staples are stored in said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said second staples are not parallel to said first staples.

43. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 42, further comprising a longitudinal row of staple drivers, wherein each said staple driver comprises:

a first cradle configured to support and drive a said first staple; and

a second cradle configured to support and drive a said second staple, wherein said first ramp and said second ramp are configured to directly engage said drivers.

44. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 42, wherein said first ramp is configured to directly engage said first staples, and wherein said second ramp is configured to directly engage said second staples.

45. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples;

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a plurality of staple cavities arranged in a staple pattern arrangement, wherein said staple pattern arrangement comprises a first row of staple cavities and a second row of staple cavities, and wherein each said row of staple cavities extends between said proximal end and said distal end; and

a fibrous adjunct, comprising;

a body zone comprising a first thickness; and

a thermally-formed zone comprising a second thickness which is different than said first thickness, wherein said thermally-formed zone corresponds to said staple pattern arrangement such that said thermally-formed zone is registered with said staple pattern arrangement.

46. The staple cartridge of claim 45, wherein each said staple cavity in said first row of staple cavities defines a first axis which is transverse to said longitudinal slot, and wherein each staple cavity in said second row of staple cavities defines a second axis which is transverse to said longitudinal slot and said first axis.

47. The staple cartridge of claim 45, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a third row of staple cavities.

48. The staple cartridge of claim 45, wherein said cartridge body comprises an alignment feature, and wherein said fibrous adjunct further comprises a corresponding alignment feature configured to engage said alignment feature of said cartridge body.

49. The staple cartridge of claim 45, wherein said thermally-formed zone comprises a negative configuration of said staple pattern arrangement.

50. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck;

a plurality of staple cavities defined in said deck, wherein each said staple cavity comprises a first end and a second end; and

a plurality of projections extending from said deck, wherein each said projection is adjacent one of a said first end and a said second end of a said staple cavity;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and

an implantable layer positioned over said deck, wherein said implantable layer comprises openings defined therein configured to receive said projections, and wherein said implantable layer extends over said staple cavities and is captured by said staples when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities.

51. The staple cartridge of claim 50, wherein said openings comprise through-holes.

52. The staple cartridge of claim 51, wherein each said opening is configured to receive a pair of projections comprising a said projection adjacent a said first end of a said staple cavity and a said projection adjacent a said second end of another said staple cavity.

53. The staple cartridge of claim 52, wherein said openings are stretched around said pairs of projections.

54. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck;

a longitudinal slot defined in said deck configured to receive a firing member;

a longitudinal row of first staple cavities defined in said deck, wherein each said first staple cavity extends along a first axis extending at a first angle relative to said longitudinal slot;

a longitudinal row of second staple cavities defined in said deck, wherein each said second staple cavity extends along a second axis extending at a second angle relative to said longitudinal slot; and

a longitudinal row of third staple cavities defined in said deck, wherein each said third staple cavity extends along a third axis extending at a third angle relative to said longitudinal slot, and wherein said second angle is transverse to at least one of said first angle and said third angle;

a plurality of first staples removably stored in said first staple cavities, wherein each said first staple comprises a first unformed height;

a plurality of second staples removably stored in said second staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises a second unformed height which is different than said first unformed height;

a plurality of third staples removably stored in said third staple cavities; and

a plurality of drivers, wherein each said driver comprises;

a first cradle configured to support and drive a said first staple, wherein said first cradle extends at said first angle;

a second cradle configured to support and drive a said second staple, wherein said second cradle extends at said second angle; and

a third cradle configured to support and drive a said third staple, wherein said third cradle extends at said third angle.

55. The staple cartridge of claim 54, wherein each said third staple comprises a third unformed height which is different than said first unformed height and said second unformed height.

56. The staple cartridge of claim 54, wherein said first angle is the same as said third angle.

57. The staple cartridge of claim 54, wherein said first angle is different than said third angle.

58. The staple cartridge of claim 54, wherein said longitudinal row of first staple cavities is closer to said longitudinal slot than said longitudinal row of second staple cavities, and wherein said first unformed height is shorter than said second unformed height.

59. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal slot extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

a plurality of staple cavities; and

a plurality of staples configured to capture tissue, wherein each said staple comprises;

a base, comprising;

a first portion;

a second portion vertically offset with respect to said first portion; and

a step portion, wherein said step portion defines the vertical offset between said first portion and said second portion;

a first leg extending from said first portion; and

a second leg extending from said second portion, wherein said first leg and said second leg are co-planar, and wherein said first leg is closer to said longitudinal slot than said second leg.

60. The staple cartridge of claim 59, further comprising a plurality of staple drivers configured to drive said staples out of said staple cavities.

61. The staple cartridge of claim 60, wherein said staple drivers are further configured to form said step portion into said base.

62. The staple cartridge of claim 59, wherein said first leg comprises a first length, wherein said second leg comprises a second length which is greater than said first length, and wherein tissue that is captured adjacent said first leg experiences greater tissue compression than tissue that is captured adjacent said second leg.

63. The staple cartridge of claim 59, further comprising a stepped deck, comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface; and

a step that defines a vertical offset between said first surface and said second surface, wherein each said staple cavity defines an opening in said stepped deck such that each said opening traverses said step.

64. The staple cartridge of claim 59, wherein said base is co-planar with said first leg and said second leg.