Stapling assembly for forming different formed staple heights

• US 9,592,052 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Issued: 03/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US14/206,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20140191015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/0292 : with the objects to be stapled together introduced perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tool in an opening formed by an anvil and a plunger
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a firing system configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The firing system can include a firing member configured to relatively position the anvil and the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge can include a first deck portion, a second deco portion, and a wall defined between the first deck portion and the second deck portion.

Claims

1. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said deck is configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises;

a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;

a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface; and

a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface;

a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a second jaw comprising a planar anvil comprising forming pockets;

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil, wherein said anvil and said plurality of staple drivers are configured to cooperatively deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, and wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height; and

a firing member movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engaged said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

2. The end effector of claim 1 wherein said anvil comprises:

a first surface comprises a first longitudinal row of first forming pockets, wherein said first staple cavities can be aligned with said first forming pockets;

a second surface comprising a second longitudinal row of second forming pockets, wherein said second staple cavities can be aligned with said second forming pockets; and

a wall extending between said first surface and said second surface.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, and wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member.

4. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said plurality of drivers comprises a first longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said first staples and a second longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said second staples, wherein said drivers are movable between an unlifted position and a lifted position, and wherein one of said first longitudinal row of staple supports and said second longitudinal row of staple supports is positioned closer to said anvil when said drivers are in said unlifted position.

6. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

7. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

8. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;

a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said anvil comprises a planar tissue-engagement surface and forming pockets;

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil, wherein said anvil and said plurality of staple drivers are configured to cooperatively deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, and wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height; and

a firing member movable toward said distal end, wherein said firing member is configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said first jaw and a second portion configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said deck comprises:

a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;

a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface;

a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface.

10. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot configured to receive said first portion of said firing member, and wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member.

11. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

12. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said plurality of drivers comprises a first longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said first staples and a second longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said second staples, wherein said drivers are movable between an unlifted position and a lifted position, and wherein one of said first longitudinal row of staple supports and said second longitudinal row of staple supports is positioned closer to said anvil when said drivers are in said unlifted position.

13. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

14. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

15. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw comprising a cartridge, wherein said cartridge comprises a deck and a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support tissue;

a first staple removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a second staple removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities;

a second jaw comprising an anvil, wherein said anvil comprises a non-stepped tissue-engagement surface and forming pockets;

a staple driver system, wherein said staple driver system is configured to lift said first staple and said second staple toward said anvil, wherein said anvil and said staple driver system are configured to cooperatively deform said first staple to a first deformed height and said second staple to a second deformed height, and wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height.

16. The end effector of claim 15, wherein said deck comprises:

a first deck surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first deck surface;

a second deck surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second deck surface; and

a wall defined between said first deck surface and said second deck surface.