Annular support structures

• US 8,551,138 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Orban, Joseph P. III, Nolan, Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W
• Application Number:
  US13/585,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20120305629A1
• Time in Patent Office: 420 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/214, 606/215, 606/219, 606/220, 606/142, 227/175.1, 602/41, 602/46, 602 48- 52
• 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. A support structure having a central hub for supporting the structure on a shaft of a stapling instrument, the support structure having a ring supported on the central hub so that the ring is supported on the shaft, the ring having at least one wall defining a reservoir, the reservoir containing a wound closure material, wherein the ring includes a radial outer ring substantially coplanar with a radial inner ring.

2. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the central hub is configured and dimensioned to frictionally engage the shaft of the stapling instrument.

3. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is supported on the shaft so that, after firing of the stapling instrument, the ring is interposed between and reinforces a first body tissue and a second body tissue.

4. The support structure according to claim 1, further comprising at least one support spoke extending between the radial inner ring and the central hub.

5. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is configured to rupture during a surgical procedure to expel the wound closure material between a first body tissue and a second body tissue.

6. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the stapling instrument is a circular endoscopic stapling instrument has a plurality of annular rows of staples disposed in a staple cartridge assembly.

7. The support structure according to claim 6, wherein the central hub and radial outer ring are configured and dimensioned so that the radial outer ring overlies the rows of staples.

8. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the wound closure material is a material selected from the group consisting of a sealant, an adhesive, and a hemostat.

9. The support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a bioabsorbable material.

10. A support structure having a central hub for supporting the structure on a shaft of a stapling instrument, the support structure having a ring supported on the central hub so that the ring is supported on the shaft, the ring having at least one wall defining a reservoir, the reservoir containing a wound closure material;

and at least one support spoke extending between the ring and the central hub.

11. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the central hub is configured and dimensioned to frictionally engage the shaft of the stapling instrument.

12. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the ring includes a radial outer ring substantially coplanar with a radial inner ring.

13. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the support structure is supported on the shaft so that, after firing of the stapling instrument, the ring is interposed between and reinforces a first body tissue and a second body tissue.

14. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the reservoir is configured to rupture during a surgical procedure to expel the wound closure material between a first body tissue and a second body tissue.

15. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the stapling instrument is a circular endoscopic stapling instrument has a plurality of annular rows of staples disposed in a staple cartridge assembly.

16. The support structure according to claim 15, wherein the central hub and ring are configured and dimensioned so that the ring overlies the rows of staples.

17. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the wound closure material is a material selected from the group consisting of a sealant, an adhesive, and a hemostat.

18. The support structure according to claim 10, wherein the support structure comprises a bioabsorbable material.