Annular support structures
First Claim
1. A system for joining a first body tissue and a second body tissue, the system comprising:
- a circular endoscopic stapling instrument having a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly for approximating and joining a first body tissue to a second body tissue, and an elongated shaft extending between the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; and
a reinforcing support structure supported on the shaft of the stapling instrument, the reinforcing support structure having a central hub for connection to the shaft of the stapling instrument and at least one annular reinforcing ring including a radial outer ring substantially coplanar with a radial inner ring, the at least one annular reinforcing ring supported on the central hub so that the at least one annular reinforcing ring is supported on the shaft at a location between the first body tissue and the second body tissue, wherein, after firing of the stapling instrument, the at least one annular reinforcing ring is interposed between and reinforces the joined first body tissue and the second body tissue.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for joining a first body tissue and a second body tissue, the system comprising:
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a circular endoscopic stapling instrument having a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly for approximating and joining a first body tissue to a second body tissue, and an elongated shaft extending between the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; and a reinforcing support structure supported on the shaft of the stapling instrument, the reinforcing support structure having a central hub for connection to the shaft of the stapling instrument and at least one annular reinforcing ring including a radial outer ring substantially coplanar with a radial inner ring, the at least one annular reinforcing ring supported on the central hub so that the at least one annular reinforcing ring is supported on the shaft at a location between the first body tissue and the second body tissue, wherein, after firing of the stapling instrument, the at least one annular reinforcing ring is interposed between and reinforces the joined first body tissue and the second body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of performing a surgical anastomotic procedure on a first body tissue and a second body tissue, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a circular surgical stapling instrument including a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly for approximating and joining the first body tissue to the second body tissue, and an elongated shaft extending between the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; providing a reinforcing support structure including at least one annular ring for reinforcing the first body tissue and the second body tissue after the anastomotic surgical procedure, the at least one annular ring including a radial inner ring circumscribed by and substantially level with a radial outer ring, and a central hub connected to the at least one annular ring, the central hub defining an opening configured and dimensioned to engage the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument at a location spaced an axial distance from a tissue contacting surface at the anvil assembly and spaced an axial distance from a tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly; securing the first body tissue to the anvil assembly; securing the second body tissue to the cartridge assembly; positioning the reinforcing support structure on the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument between the first body tissue and the second body tissue; and interconnecting the anvil assembly and the staple cartridge assembly via the shaft of the surgical stapling instrument such that the reinforcing support structure is interposed between the first body tissue and the second body tissue. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification