Collapsible fastener cartridge

• US 9,044,227 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 06/02/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Morgan, Jerome R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Hall, Steven G., Scheib, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Luan K
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
• Application Number:
  US12/894,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20120080332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,706 Days
• Field of Search: 206/339, 206/338, 206/344, 206/345, 206/340, 206/363, 254/28, 81/44, 227/175.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 : Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 : Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 : with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 : Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 : Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00946 : malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 : Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• 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 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49863 : with prestressing of part

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the crushable cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw, or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to crush the cartridge body and deform, or otherwise deploy, the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible cartridge body having a thickness which can be reduced by the compressive pressure applied by the anvil. In certain embodiments, a fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body which can collapse from the compressive pressure.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical instrument configured to fire the staple cartridge, said staple cartridge comprising:

an implantable, crushable staple cartridge body, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises;

a top;

a bottom positioned opposite said top;

a first side extending between said top and said bottom; and

a second side extending between said top and said bottom; and

a plurality of staples embedded within said crushable staple cartridge body prior to the firing of said staple cartridge, wherein said implantable, crushable staple cartridge body is configured to be captured within said staples after said staple cartridge has been fired;

wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a flexible support, and wherein said flexible support comprises;

a bottom support side extending around said bottom of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a first support side extending around said first side of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a second support side extending around said second side of said crushable staple cartridge body; and

a top surface extending between said first support side and said second support side, wherein said top surface is detachable from said first support side and said second support side.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said crushable staple cartridge body is removable from said flexible support.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said top surface comprises a plurality of struts extending between said first support side and said second support side.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first support side and said second support side are comprised of an elastomeric material.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said flexible support comprises retention features configured to retain said bottom support side, said first support side, and said second support side to a staple cartridge channel of a stapler after said crushable staple cartridge body has been removed from said flexible support.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 2, further comprising an adhesive adhering at least one of said first support side, said second support side, and said bottom side to said crushable staple cartridge body.

7. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a crushable staple cartridge body, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises;

a top;

a bottom positioned opposite said top;

a first side extending between said top and said bottom; and

a second side extending between said top and said bottom,

wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a flexible support, wherein said crushable staple cartridge body is removable from said flexible support, and wherein said flexible support comprises;

a bottom support side extending around said bottom of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a first support side extending around said first side of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a second support side extending around said second side of said crushable staple cartridge body; and

a top surface extending between said first support side and said second support side, wherein said top surface is detachable from said first support side and said second support side; and

a plurality of staples embedded within said crushable staple cartridge body, wherein said flexible support comprises retention features configured to retain said bottom support side, said first support side, and said second support side to a staple cartridge channel of a stapler after said crushable staple cartridge body has been removed from said flexible support.

8. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a crushable staple cartridge body, wherein said staple cartridge body comprises;

a top;

a bottom positioned opposite said top;

a first side extending between said top and said bottom; and

a second side extending between said top and said bottom,

wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a flexible support, wherein said crushable staple cartridge body is removable from said flexible support, and wherein said flexible support comprises;

a bottom support side extending around said bottom of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a first support side extending around said first side of said crushable staple cartridge body;

a second support side extending around said second side of said crushable staple cartridge body; and

a top surface extending between said first support side and said second support side, wherein said top surface is detachable from said first support side and said second support side;

a plurality of staples embedded within said crushable staple cartridge body; and

further comprising an adhesive adhering at least one of said first support side, said second support side, and said bottom support side to said crushable staple cartridge body.