Surgical stapling instruments including a cartridge having multiple staple sizes

• US 8,123,100 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2008
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US12/245,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20090030432A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 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 17/11 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 2017/07235 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 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

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 staple cartridge for a surgical stapling apparatus comprising:

a convex surface having a center, said convex surface including left and right sides extending away from said center, each of said left and right sides having a first and a second plurality of retention slots;

a first and a second plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in said first and second plurality of retention slots, respectively, said first and second pluralities of surgical fasteners including a backspan and a pair of legs, said first plurality of surgical fasteners having a first leg length, said second plurality of surgical fasteners having a second leg length, and said second leg length is different than said first leg length.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a third plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in a third plurality of retention slots, said third plurality of surgical fasteners including a backspan and a pair of legs having a third leg length, said third leg length is different than said first leg length.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2 wherein said third leg length is different than said second leg length.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:

a knife slot located through a portion of the center of said convex surface; and

a knife capable of traveling through said knife slot.