Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes

• US 8,070,035 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2010
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Holsten, Henry E., Viola, Frank J., Emmons, Clifford L., Beardsley, John W., Heinrich, Russell, Cullinan, Nicola
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US12/916,926
• Publication Number:
  US 20110042440A1
• Time in Patent Office: 400 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/180.1, 227/179.1, 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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 2017/320052 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 a tool assembly having an anvil member and a staple cartridge, the anvil member and staple cartridge having an approximated position for capturing tissue therebetween, the staple cartridge having a plurality of tissue contacting surfaces, and a wall surface extending between a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface, the wall surface defining an first angle with respect to the first tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surfaces and wall surface having a stepped configuration, the staple cartridge having pusher plates with different vertical dimensions, the anvil member having an anvil surface that defines staple forming pockets, the anvil surface, tissue contacting surfaces and wall surface being arranged to apply a varying compressive force on the tissue when the anvil member and staple cartridge are in the approximated position.

2. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pusher plates cooperate with different sized staples, the staples being disposed in the staple cartridge.

3. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising staples disposed in annular rows in the staple cartridge.

4. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising staples disposed in linear rows in the staple cartridge.

5. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising staples disposed in the staple cartridge so that tips of the staples are located substantially in the same plane.

6. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical dimensions correspond to a height of one of the tissue contacting surfaces.

7. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stepped configuration applies a gradually varying compressive force on the tissue, the tissue being compressed more where the pusher plates have the greatest vertical dimension.

8. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge has a plurality of retention slots and staples disposed in the retention slots.

9. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of retention slots are arranged in rows.

10. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge has a plurality of staples with varying sizes.

11. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the anvil member has a slot configured to allow the passage of a knife blade.

12. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a drive beam.

13. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 11, Further comprising a clamp tube.

14. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one staple in a first row of staples, the at least one staple having a first leg length; and

at least one staple in a second row of staples having a second leg length that is different from the first leg length.

15. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first row of staples are proximate a slot configured to allow the passage of a knife blade, the first leg length being smaller than the second leg length.

16. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of tissue contacting surfaces defines a plane.

17. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of tissue contacting surfaces defines a curve.

18. The surgical stapling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the anvil surface is planar.