EXTENSIBLE BUTTRESS ASSEMBLY FOR SURGICAL STAPLER
First Claim
1. A stretchable buttress assembly associated with surgical staples deployable into tissue from a surgical stapler having a longitudinal axis, the buttress assembly comprising:
- (a) a planar fabric having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the planar fabric comprising fibers that are either;
(i) substantially unaligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler, or(ii) substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler; and
(b) bioabsorbable adhesive, wherein the bioabsorbable adhesive is applied to the first side and/or the second side of the planar fabric and is configured to adhere the stretchable buttress assembly to an end effector of the surgical stapler;
wherein the buttress assembly is substantially stretchable in one direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stretchable buttress assembly is associated with surgical staples deployable into tissue from a surgical stapler having a longitudinal axis. The buttress assembly includes a planar fabric and a bioabsorbable adhesive. The planar fabric also has fibers that are either substantially unaligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler or substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler. The bioabsorbable adhesive is applied to the first side and/or the second side of the planar fabric and is configured to adhere the stretchable buttress assembly to an end effector of the surgical stapler. The buttress assembly is substantially stretchable in one direction. In some versions the buttress assembly is stretchable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. In some versions the buttress assembly is stretchable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A stretchable buttress assembly associated with surgical staples deployable into tissue from a surgical stapler having a longitudinal axis, the buttress assembly comprising:
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(a) a planar fabric having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the planar fabric comprising fibers that are either; (i) substantially unaligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler, or (ii) substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler; and (b) bioabsorbable adhesive, wherein the bioabsorbable adhesive is applied to the first side and/or the second side of the planar fabric and is configured to adhere the stretchable buttress assembly to an end effector of the surgical stapler; wherein the buttress assembly is substantially stretchable in one direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of operating a surgical stapler to apply staples to tissue, the surgical stapler having a longitudinal axis and comprising an end effector, the end effector comprising an anvil and staple cartridge, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a stretchable buttress assembly comprising; (i) a planar fabric having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and comprising fibers that are either; (A) substantially unaligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler, or (B) substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the surgical stapler, and (ii) bioabsorbable adhesive, wherein the bioabsorbable adhesive is applied to the first side and/or second side of the planar fabric and is configured to adhere the stretchable buttress assembly to the anvil or staple cartridge; (b) adhering the stretchable buttress assembly to the anvil or to the staple cartridge; (c) engaging the issue between the anvil and the staple cartridge of the end effector; (d) deploying the staples from the staple cartridge through the stretchable buttress assembly and tissue; and (e) disengaging the end effector such that the stretchable buttress assembly remains secured to the tissue by the staples. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A stretchable buttress assembly for supplementing the mechanical fastening of tissue by surgical staples deployable from a surgical stapler having a primary axis, the buttress assembly comprising:
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(a) a planar fabric having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the planar fabric comprising fibers that are substantially unaligned with the primary axis of the surgical stapler, wherein the planar fabric is selected from the group consisting of;
warp knitted fabric;
weft knitted fabric;
woven fabric; and
combinations thereof; and(b) bioabsorbable adhesive, wherein the bioabsorbable adhesive is applied to the first side and/or second side of the planar fabric and is configured to adhere the stretchable buttress assembly to an end effector of the surgical stapler. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification