Tissue thickness compensator comprising a plurality of layers

• US 9,433,419 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Hamilton E., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Cropper, Michael S., Scheib, Charles J., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Johnson, Gregory W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US13/433,103
• Publication Number:
  US 20120241498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,623 Days
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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, 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00862 elastic or resilient for sutures A61B2017/0618
• 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 2017/07228 : 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/00 : Materials for other surgical articles , e.g. stents, stent-grafts, shunts, surgical drapes, guide wires, materials for adhesion prevention, occluding devices, surgical gloves, tissue fixation devices shape or structure of stent-grafts A61F2/07, of stents A61F2/82, of surgical gloves A61B42/00, of surgical drapes A61B46/00, of occluding devices A61B17/12022
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 : Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/145 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 : Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/0421 : Controlled or regulated
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 999/99 : dummy group

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator comprising a first compensation layer, a second compensation layer, and a pocket situated between the compensation layers can be positioned in the end effector of a surgical instrument. A fastener cartridge positioned in the end effector can comprise a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position. When the fastener is moved from the initial position to the fired position, the fastener can move through the pocket and can compress a portion of the tissue thickness compensator. A support can be positioned between the first and second compensation layers. When the fastener compresses the tissue thickness compensator, at least one of the support, first compensation layer and second compensation layer can be deformed. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise a tab and/or a limiting plate to control deformation of the compensation layers and/or the support.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

a tissue thickness compensator comprising;

a first compensation layer;

a second compensation layer positioned above said first compensation layer; and

a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer;

a support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises;

a first portion of said support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;

a second portion of said support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction; and

a deflection in said support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket and compress at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

2. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said pocket and said support beam are compacted when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

3. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said first compensation layer comprises a first material selected from a group comprising polymeric material, biological material, and electrical material, and wherein said second compensation layer comprises a second material selected from a group comprising polymeric material, biological material, and electrical material.

4. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a longitudinal slot; and

a driver configured to translate along said longitudinal slot, wherein said driver is configured to engage said fastener as said driver translates along said longitudinal slot such that said fastener can be ejected from a fastener cavity in the fastener cartridge assembly.

5. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein said first compensation layer is configured to guide said fastener into said fired position when said fastener is ejected from said fastener cavity.

6. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a first portion positioned on a first side of said longitudinal slot and a second portion positioned on a second side of said longitudinal slot.

7. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring support beam comprises a centered, single-bend support beam.

8. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring support beam comprises an off-centered, single-bend support beam.

9. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring support beam comprises an elliptical support beam.

10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring support beam comprises a multi-bend support beam.

11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said spring support beam comprises a symmetrical, dual-cantilevered support beam.

12. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said first compensation layer comprises a first tab that protrudes into said pocket from a first longitudinal side of said first compensation layer, wherein said second compensation layer comprises a second tab that is substantially aligned with said first tab, wherein said second tab protrudes into said pocket, and wherein said first and second tabs are configured to limit deformation of at least one of said first and second compensation layers.

13. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a limiting plate configured to control deformation of at least one of said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

14. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

a tissue thickness compensator comprising;

a first compensation layer;

a second compensation layer;

a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer; and

a support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises;

a first portion of said support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;

a second portion of said support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction; and

a deflection in said support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket and compress at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position, wherein said first compensation layer comprises a first tab that protrudes into said pocket from a first longitudinal side of said first compensation layer.

15. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 14, wherein said second compensation layer comprises a second tab that is substantially aligned with said first tab, wherein said second support tab protrudes into said pocket, and wherein said first and second tabs are configured to limit deformation of at least one of said first and second compensation layers.

16. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

a tissue thickness compensator comprising;

a first compensation layer;

a second compensation layer; and

a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer; and

a support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises;

a first portion of said support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;

a second portion of said support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction; and

a deflection in said support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion; and

a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket and compress at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a limiting plate configured to control deformation of at least one of said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

17. A fastener cartridge for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:

fasteners movable between an initial position and a fired position;

fastener cavities configured to hold said fasteners when said fasteners are in said initial position; and

a tissue compensator comprising;

a first spring layer;

a second spring layer positioned over said first spring layer;

a gap between said first spring layer and said second spring layer, wherein at least one fastener is configured to move through said gap and compress at least a portion of said tissue compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position; and

a spring support beam positioned intermediate said first spring layer and said second spring layer, wherein said spring support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first spring layer and said second spring layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises;

a first portion of said spring support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;

a second portion of said spring support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction; and

a deflection in said spring support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion.

18. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein said gap between said first spring layer and said second spring layer is reduced when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

19. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein at least one of said first spring layer, said second spring layer, and said spring support beam is configured to deform when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

20. The fastener cartridge of claim 17, wherein said tissue compensator comprises a third spring layer.

21. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

an anvil;

a thickness compensator comprising;

a first compensation layer;

a second compensation layer positioned over said first compensation layer; and

a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer;

a spring support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said spring support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises;

a first portion of said spring support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;

a second portion of said spring support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction; and

a deflection in said spring support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said spring support beam is configured to bow when said thickness compensator is compressed; and

a fastener cartridge comprising a fastener, wherein said fastener is moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein at least a portion of said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket when said fastener is moved to said fired position, and wherein said fastener is configured to compress said thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

22. The end effector assembly of claim 21, wherein said fastener is configured to capture a portion of said first compensation layer and a portion of said second compensation layer when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

23. The end effector assembly of claim 21, wherein said pocket comprises a distance between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said distance is decreased when said fastener is moved to said fired position.