Surgical stapler with stationary staple drivers

• US 9,216,019 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schmid, Katherine J., Baxter, Chester O. III, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Young, Joseph E., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US13/241,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20130075449A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,551 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• 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 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• 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 2017/2933 : 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 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler can comprise a cartridge deck and a plurality of staples at least partially positioned within the cartridge deck. In various embodiments, the staples can be supported by a support jaw of the surgical stapler and can comprise legs which can extend upwardly through apertures defined in the cartridge deck. In use, the cartridge deck can be pushed downwardly relative to the staples into a well defined in the support jaw.

Claims

1. An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge including a deck and a plurality of staples, said end effector comprising:

a support jaw, comprising;

a frame;

a plurality of stationary drivers extending from said frame, wherein each said stationary driver is configured to support a staple; and

a well defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said well is configured to receive the deck of the staple cartridge; and

an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil jaw comprising;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform the staples, wherein each said stationary driver comprises a groove configured to receive a base of a staple therein, wherein said support jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting member, and wherein said grooves are not parallel to said longitudinal slot.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said stationary drivers are integral with said frame.

3. The end effector of claim 2, wherein said frame and said stationary drivers are comprised of a unitary piece of metal.

4. An end effector of a surgical stapling instrument configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge including a deck and a plurality of staples, said end effector comprising:

a support jaw, comprising;

a frame;

a plurality of stationary drivers extending from said frame, wherein each said stationary driver is configured to support a staple; and

a well defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said well is configured to receive the deck of the staple cartridge; and

an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil jaw comprising;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform the staples, wherein each said stationary driver comprises an outer perimeter, and wherein said outer perimeter is tapered.

5. The end effector of claim 4, wherein each said stationary driver comprises a groove configured to receive a base of a staple therein.

6. The end effector of claim 5, wherein said support jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting member, and wherein said grooves of said stationary drivers are parallel to said longitudinal slot.

7. The end effector of claim 4, wherein said stationary drivers are integral with said frame.

8. The end effector of claim 7, wherein said frame and said stationary drivers are comprised of a unitary piece of metal.

9. An end effector for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a deck comprising a top surface; and

a plurality of staples at least partially extending through said deck, wherein said deck is slidable relative to said staples between an unfired position and a fired position;

a support jaw, comprising;

a frame;

a plurality of stationary drivers extending from said frame, wherein each said stationary driver is configured to support a said staple, and wherein said top surface of said deck is positioned above said stationary drivers when said deck is in said unfired position; and

a well defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said well is configured to receive said deck when said deck is in said fired position; and

an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil comprising;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform said staples, wherein each said stationary driver comprises a groove configured to receive a base of a said staple therein, wherein said support jaw further comprises a longitudinal slot configured to receive at least a portion of a cutting member, and wherein said grooves are not parallel to said longitudinal slot.

10. An end effector for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a deck comprising a top surface; and

a plurality of staples at least partially extending through said deck, wherein said deck is slidable relative to said staples between an unfired position and a fired position;

a support jaw, comprising;

a frame;

a plurality of stationary drivers extending from said frame, wherein each said stationary driver is configured to support a said staple, and wherein said top surface of said deck is positioned above said stationary drivers when said deck is in said unfired position; and

a well defined intermediate said stationary drivers, wherein said well is configured to receive said deck when said deck is in said fired position; and

an anvil jaw movably attached to said support jaw, wherein said anvil jaw is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, said anvil comprising;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a plurality of staple pockets configured to deform said staples, wherein each said stationary driver comprises an outer perimeter, and wherein said outer perimeter is tapered.

11. The end effector of claim 10, wherein said deck further comprises a plurality of apertures configured to receive said stationary drivers when said deck is moved into said fired position.