Annular support structures

• US 7,951,166 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2007
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Nolan, Timothy, Orban, Joseph P. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Julian W
• Application Number:
  US11/872,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20080110959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,323 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/214, 606/215, 606/219, 606/220, 606/142, 227/175.1
• US Class Current: 606/215
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• 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 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1132 End-to-end connections

Abstract

Reinforcing lumen rings are configured and adapted for use in conjunction with a circular endoscopic stapling instrument having a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The reinforcing lumen rings maintain anastomotic lumen, e.g. as formed by the circular endoscopic stapling apparatus, in an open condition. The reinforcing lumen rings can include an annular ring having an outer terminal edge and an inner terminal edge, the outer terminal edge having a diameter which is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the staple cartridge assembly and the inner terminal edge having a diameter which is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the staple cartridge assembly.

Claims

1. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent tubular tissues, the apparatus comprising:

a.) an anastomosis device having an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly including an elongated shaft which is selectively attachable to a tubular body portion and the anastomosis device including a staple cartridge assembly, the staple cartridge assembly defining an annular arrangement of staples; and

b.) a support structure including a reinforcing ring attached to a support including a central hub having a central axial opening, and a spoke attached to the hub and to the reinforcing ring, wherein the central axial opening is dimensioned for receiving the elongated shaft therethrough.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure is releasably attached to a distal-most surface of the staple cartridge assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring includes a radial outer ring and a radial inner ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the inner ring comprises a rigid or a semi-rigid material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the outer ring includes a surgical mesh.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central hub and the central axial opening share a common central axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spoke is releaseable from the support structure.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring includes a material selected from the group consisting of:

a surgical mesh, polytetrafluoroethylene, glycolide, glycolic acid, lactide, lactic acid, p-diocanone, a-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene, fluoride, stainless steel, titanium, polyglycolic acid, and polylactic acid.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reinforcing ring includes at least one wall.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least one wall defines a reservoir.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one wall includes a radial outer wall, a radial inner wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower walls overlie the annular arrangement of staples of the staple cartridge assembly.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a wound closure material disposed in the reservoir.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wound closure material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

adhesive, sealant, and hemostat.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wound closure material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

aldehyde based adhesive, cyanoacrylate based adhesive, fibrin sealant, collagen-based sealant, synthetic polymer sealant, polyethylene glycol based sealant, fibrin based hemostat, collagen based hemostat, oxidized regenerated cellulose based hemostat, gelatin based hemostat, astringent, aluminum sulfate, and coagulant.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an inner ring disposed inwardly of the reservoir.

17. An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent tubular tissues, the apparatus comprising:

a.) an anastomosis device having an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly including an elongated shaft which is selectively attachable to a tubular body portion and the anastomosis device including a staple cartridge assembly, the staple cartridge assembly defining an annular arrangement of staples; and

b.) a support structure including a reinforcing ring attached to a support including a central hub having a central axial opening, wherein the reinforcing ring includes a radial outer ring and a radial inner ring, wherein the central axial opening is dimensioned for receiving the elongated shaft therethrough.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the support structure is releasably attached to a distal-most surface of the staple cartridge assembly.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the support includes a spoke attached to the hub and to the reinforcing ring.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the central hub and the central axial opening share a common central axis.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the spoke is releaseable from the support structure.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the inner ring comprises a rigid or a semirigid material.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the outer ring includes a surgical mesh.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reinforcing ring includes a material selected from the group consisting of:

a surgical mesh, polytetrafluoroethylene, glycolide, glycolic acid, lactide, lactic acid, p-diocanone, a-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene, fluoride, stainless steel, titanium, polyglycolic acid, and polylactic acid.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the reinforcing ring includes at least one wall.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the at least one wall defines a reservoir.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the at least one wall includes a radial outer wall, a radial inner wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the upper and lower walls overlie the annular arrangement of staples of the staple cartridge assembly.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a wound closure material disposed in the reservoir.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the wound closure material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

adhesive, sealant, and hemostat.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the wound closure material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

aldehyde based adhesive, cyanoacrylate based adhesive, fibrin sealant, collagen-based sealant, synthetic polymer sealant, polyethylene glycol based sealant, fibrin based hemostat, collagen based hemostat, oxidized regenerated cellulose based hemostat, gelatin based hemostat, astringent, aluminum sulfate, and coagulant.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising an inner ring disposed inwardly of the reservoir.