STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING AN ADJUNCT MATERIAL

• US 20160106426A1
• Filed: 10/16/2014
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Weaner, Lauren S., Morgan, Jerome R., Vendely, Michael J., Aronhalt, Taylor W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,924,944 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 17/0684 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises cartridge body and a layer. The layer is implantable against tissue by staples deployed from the cartridge body and deformed by an anvil. The cartridge and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the cartridge and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the cartridge body. The layer can comprise buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator, for example.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a well defined in said deck;

a plurality of staple cavities, wherein at least one of said staple cavities is defined in said well;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, wherein said layer extends into said well, and wherein the interaction between said layer and said well is configured to reduce relative movement between said layer and said cartridge body.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a buttress material.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said layer is wedged into said well.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said well comprises a longitudinal well extending between said proximal end and said distal end, and wherein more than one said staple cavity is defined in said well.

6. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 1, wherein said well comprises a discrete well, and wherein only one of said staple cavities is defined in said discrete well.

7. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a plurality of staple cavities; and

a plurality of wells, wherein each said well surrounds a said staple cavity;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, wherein said layer extends into said wells, and wherein the interaction between said layer and said wells is configured to releasably retain said layer to said cartridge body.

8. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

9. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7, wherein said layer comprises a buttress material.

10. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 7, wherein said layer is wedged into said wells.

11. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck, comprising;

a tissue-supporting surface;

a longitudinal slot configured to receive a firing member; and

a longitudinal channel;

a plurality of staple cavities, comprising;

a first row of staple cavities arranged along a first longitudinal axis;

a second row of staple cavities arranged along a second longitudinal axis, wherein said second row of staple cavities is defined in said longitudinal channel; and

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, wherein said layer extends into said channel, and wherein the interaction between said layer and said channel is configured to reduce relative movement between said layer and said cartridge body.

12. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

13. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said layer comprises a buttress material.

14. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 11, wherein said layer is wedged into said channel.

15. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface, wherein said tissue-supporting surface is defined by a plurality of waves;

a plurality of staple cavities; and

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, wherein said layer comprises a negative impression of said wavy surface, and wherein the interaction between said layer and said waves is configured to reduce relative movement between said layer and said cartridge body.

16. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 15, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

17. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 15, wherein said layer comprises a buttress material.

18. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a plurality of ridges extending laterally across said tissue-supporting surface; and

a plurality of staple cavities;

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

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, wherein said layer comprises a plurality of slits configured to receive said ridges, and wherein the interaction between said slits and said ridges is configured to reduce relative movement between said layer and said cartridge body.

19. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

20. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein said layer comprises a buttress material.

21. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 18, wherein said ridges are wedged into said slits.

22. A surgical stapling apparatus for stapling tissue, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

rows of staple cavities; and

rows of pocket extenders extending from said deck aligned with said rows of staple cavities;

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

a layer positioned above said deck, wherein said staples are configured to implant said layer against the tissue when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities, and wherein said layer comprises longitudinal slots configured to receive said rows of pocket extenders.

23. The surgical stapling apparatus of claim 22, wherein a clearance fit is present between said pocket extenders and said longitudinal slots.