Tissue thickness compensator comprising channels

• US 9,351,730 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 05/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schmid, Katherine J., Morgan, Jerome R., Korvick, Donna L., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanders, Joy N
• Application Number:
  US13/433,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20130256369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 606/151
• 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 17/072 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00561 creating a vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 elastic or resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00889 antimicrobial, disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00942 : hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• 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 2017/07264 : 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 : Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 17/005 : containing a biologically active substance, e.g. a medicament or a biocide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/102 : Metals or metal compounds, e.g. salts such as bicarbonates, carbonates, oxides, zeolites, silicates
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/232 : Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/45 : Mixtures of two or more drugs, e.g. synergistic mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a tissue contacting surface and a network of channels defined in the tissue contacting surface. In at least one embodiment, the channels can be configured to store at least one medicament therein. In certain embodiments, the channels can define gripping surfaces configured to grip tissue. In various embodiments, the tissue contacting surface can further comprise ridges extending therefrom.

Claims

1. A compensator attachable to an anvil of a fastening instrument, wherein the anvil includes a forming surface and a longitudinal slot configured to receive a cutting member, and wherein said compensator comprises:

an inner lateral edge and an outer lateral edge;

a longitudinal channel configured to be positioned in the longitudinal slot in the anvil, wherein said longitudinal channel defines said inner lateral edge;

a compensator pack, comprising;

a first layer comprising a tissue contacting surface;

a second layer attached to said first layer; and

an array of capillary channels defined in said tissue contacting surface, wherein said array of capillary channels extends between said inner lateral edge and said outer lateral edge; and

an attachment portion configured to be attached to the anvil.

2. The compensator of claim 1, further comprising a medicament stored within said array of capillary channels.

3. The compensator of claim 1, further comprising a medicament stored intermediate said first layer and said second layer.

4. The compensator of claim 3, wherein said second layer further comprises a second array of capillary channels, wherein said medicament is positioned within said second array of capillary channels.

5. The compensator of claim 1, wherein said array of capillary channels comprises a cross-hatched pattern.

6. The compensator of claim 1, wherein said array of capillary channels comprises parallel channels.

7. The compensator of claim 1, wherein said attachment portion further comprises a slot configured to extend into the anvil.

8. The compensator of claim 7, wherein said capillary channels open into said slot of said attachment portion.

9. The compensator of claim 1, wherein said first layer is comprised of a first material, wherein said second layer is comprised of a second material, and wherein said first material is different than said second material.

10. The compensator of claim 1, further comprising wells defined intermediate said first layer and said second layer and a medicament positioned within said wells.

11. The compensator of claim 10, wherein each of said wells comprises an opening.

12. A stapling assembly for use with a stapler, said stapling assembly comprising:

an anvil comprising at least one forming surface configured to deform a staple and a slot configured to receive a cutting member;

a first compensator attached to said anvil, wherein said first compensator comprises;

an array of channels defined therein;

a longitudinal protrusion which defines a longitudinal channel therein; and

an outer edge, wherein said longitudinal protrusion is configured to be positioned in said slot in said anvil, and wherein said array of channels allows for fluid communication between said longitudinal channel and said outer edge;

a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples removably stored therein; and

a second compensator attached to said staple cartridge, wherein said second compensator comprises a medicament stored therein, and wherein one of said anvil and said staple cartridge is configured to be moved toward the other to place said first compensator in contact with said second compensator and transfer at least a portion of said medicament from said second compensator to said first compensator.

13. The stapling assembly of claim 12, wherein said first compensator is configured to absorb said medicament.

14. The stapling assembly of claim 12, wherein said array of channels is configured to retain said medicament.

15. The stapling assembly of claim 12, wherein said first compensator comprises a first layer comprising said array of capillary channels and a second layer attached to said first layer.

16. A compensator attachable to an anvil of a fastening instrument, wherein the anvil includes a forming surface and a longitudinal slot, and wherein said compensator comprises:

an outer edge;

a compensator body comprising a tissue contacting surface and an array of capillary channels defined in said tissue contacting surface;

gripping surfaces positioned intermediate said capillary channels; and

an attachment portion configured to be attached to the anvil comprising a longitudinal projection configured to be received by the longitudinal slot of the anvil, wherein said longitudinal projection defines a longitudinal channel, and wherein said capillary channels allow for fluid communication between said longitudinal channel and said outer edge.

17. The compensator of claim 16, wherein said compensator body comprises a first layer and a second layer attached to said first layer.

18. The compensator of claim 17, further comprising a medicament stored intermediate said first layer and said second layer.

19. The compensator of claim 18, wherein said second layer further comprises a second array of capillary channels, and wherein a second medicament is positioned within said second array of capillary channels.

20. The compensator of claim 16, wherein said array of capillary channels comprises a cross-hatched pattern.