Surgical stapling apparatus

• US 9,192,378 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2012
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Aranyi, Ernest, Mozdzierz, Patrick, Olson, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US13/727,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20130112732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,062 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/180.1, 606/151
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/07207 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 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter

Abstract

A loading unit for use with a surgical stapling apparatus is provided and includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly that are movable in relation to one another; a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly, wherein each surgical buttress is secured to the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly by at least one anchor; a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly; and a drive assembly slidably translatable through the tool assembly between proximal and distal positions, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the anchor to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly and/or the cartridge assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a cartridge assembly including a cartridge having a plurality of surgical fasteners therein;

an anvil assembly defining a longitudinal axis and a tissue contacting surface and disposed in juxtaposed relation to the cartridge assembly, at least one of the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly being movable in relation to the other of the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly, the anvil assembly including;

a surgical buttress overlying the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly; and

a first suture extending over the surgical buttress from a first longitudinal side of the surgical buttress to a second longitudinal side of the surgical buttress securing the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly; and

a release assembly associated with the anvil assembly, wherein the release assembly is configured to urge the first suture away from the anvil assembly to release the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the release assembly urges the first suture laterally away from the longitudinal axis.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a drive assembly translatable through the surgical instrument from a proximal position to a distal position.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the first suture and to free the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the drive assembly mechanically contacts the release assembly to actuate the release assembly.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first suture is disposed along a distal portion of the anvil assembly.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a different, second suture releasably securing the surgical buttress to the anvil assembly.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the second suture is longitudinally spaced away from the first suture.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly defines a tissue contacting surface and further comprising an additional surgical buttress releasably secured to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, further comprising a second suture to releasably secure the additional surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a cartridge assembly defining a longitudinal axis and a tissue contacting surface and including a cartridge having a plurality of surgical fasteners therein, the cartridge assembly including;

a surgical buttress overlying the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly; and

a first suture extending over the surgical buttress from a first longitudinal side of the surgical buttress to a second longitudinal side of the surgical buttress securing the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge assembly; and

an anvil assembly disposed in juxtaposed relation to the cartridge assembly, at least one of the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly being movable in relation to the other of the cartridge assembly and anvil assembly; and

a release assembly associated with the cartridge assembly, wherein the release assembly is configured to urge the first suture away from the cartridge assembly to release the surgical buttress from the cartridge assembly.

12. The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the release assembly urges the first suture laterally away from the longitudinal axis.

13. The surgical instrument according to claim 11, further comprising a drive assembly translatable through the surgical instrument from a proximal position to a distal position.

14. The surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein the drive assembly actuates the release assembly to thereby release the first suture and to free the surgical buttress from the cartridge assembly.

15. The surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein the drive assembly mechanically contacts the release assembly to actuate the release assembly.

16. The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the first suture is disposed along a distal portion of the cartridge assembly.

17. The surgical instrument according to claim 11, further comprising a different, second suture releasably securing the surgical buttress to the cartridge assembly.

18. The surgical instrument according to claim 17, wherein the second suture is longitudinally spaced away from the first suture.