Cartridge for applying varying amounts of tissue compression

• US 9,364,225 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2013
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Sniffin, Kevin, Soltz, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/941,665
• Publication Number:
  US 20130299555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/153, 606/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus includes a staple cartridge and an anvil member. The staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in rows of retention slots. The staple cartridge may have an annular or linear configuration of retention slots. The tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge may be tapered or stepped. The anvil member has a tissue contacting surface that includes a number of pockets arranged for substantially aligning with the retention slots. In addition, the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member may complement the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an anvil including an anvil surface; and

a cartridge adapted to connect to a jaw member of the surgical instrument including a first section having a first cartridge surface and a second section having a second cartridge surface, each of the first cartridge surface and the second cartridge surface including retention slots for retention of surgical fasteners therein, the first section and the second section individually installable in the cartridge such that in a first installed configuration, the first section is positionable on the cartridge proximal to the second section, and in a second installed configuration, the second section is positionable on the cartridge proximal to the first section,

wherein the anvil and the cartridge define a first gap between the first cartridge surface and the anvil surface, and wherein the anvil and the cartridge define a second gap between the second cartridge surface and the anvil surface, the first gap different from the second gap.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein, in the first installed configuration, the first gap is less than the second gap.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein, in the second installed configuration, the first gap is less than the second gap.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first gap and the second gap are spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein approximation of the anvil and the cartridge applies pressure to tissue positioned therebetween.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein approximation of the anvil and the cartridge and clamping of tissue therebetween produces a first value of pressure applied at the first gap, and a second value of pressure applied at the second gap.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the first value of pressure at the first gap is greater than the second value of pressure at the second gap thereby providing a tissue compression gradient that decreases from the first gap towards the second gap.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein each of the first section and the second section has a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed therein.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein each surgical fastener of the plurality of surgical fasteners includes a backspan and a pair of legs.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an anvil including an anvil surface; and

a cartridge including a first section having a first cartridge surface and a second section having a second cartridge surface, each of the first cartridge surface and the second cartridge surface including at least one retention slot for retention of at least one surgical fastener therein, the first section and the second section individually installable in the cartridge,

wherein the anvil and the cartridge define a first gap between the first cartridge surface and the anvil surface, and wherein the anvil and the cartridge define a second gap between the second cartridge surface and the anvil surface, the first gap different from the second gap.