Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes

• US 7,401,721 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Heinrich, Russell, Viola, Frank J., Beardsley, John W., Emmons, Clifford L., Holsten, Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US11/436,222
• Publication Number:
  US 20070034667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 796 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/072 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 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• 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 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

an anvil member having a first tissue contacting surface;

a body portion having a first wall, a second wall, and a second tissue contacting surface, wherein the first tissue contacting surface and the second tissue contacting surface define a gap therebetween and the gap varies along a horizontal plane defined by at least one of the first or second tissue contacting surfaces;

a first plurality of surgical fasteners having a first leg length; and

a second plurality of surgical fasteners having a second leg length, wherein the first leg length is different from the second leg length.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second tissue contacting surface includes first and second portions.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein the gap at a centerline of the body portion is less than the gap at the first wall.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 3, further including a knife disposed along the centerline.