Fastener cartridge comprising a releasable tissue thickness compensator

• US 9,700,317 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Issued: 07/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Vendely, Michael J., Lloyd, Brandon J., Miller, Michael J., Isaacs, Michael T., Hunt, John V., Schellin, Emily A., Feds, John E., Weaner, Lauren S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kotis, Joshua
• Application Number:
  US13/763,048
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221064A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive
• 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 2017/00473 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 2017/00526 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2916 : pins in guiding slots
• 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 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise, one, a cartridge body configured to at least partially store a plurality of fasteners therein and, two, a layer of material attached to the cartridge body by a retention member. The retention member can be deactivated to release the layer from the cartridge body when a firing member is moved through the cartridge body to eject the fasteners from the cartridge body. The retention member can be deactivated at the beginning, the end, and/or at any suitable time during a firing stroke of the firing member. Certain fastener cartridges can comprise a plurality of retention members configured to releasably hold the layer to the cartridge body. In certain circumstances, the retention members can be sequentially released in order to progressively release the layer.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a laterally sloped deck and staple cavities;

staples at least partially positioned within said staple cavities;

a layer attached to said deck, wherein said layer at least partially extends over said staple cavities, and wherein said layer is positioned adjacent to said laterally sloped deck;

a clamping mechanism configured to releasably secure said layer to said cartridge body, said clamping mechanism comprising;

a clamp portion; and

a retention portion moveable between an engaged configuration wherein said retention portion is engaged with said layer and positioned above said deck and a disengaged configuration wherein said retention portion is disengaged from said layer and positioned lower than said deck; and

a firing assembly movable through said cartridge body to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing assembly, wherein said firing assembly is configured to engage said retention portion to transition said retention portion into said disengaged configuration during said firing stroke.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said firing stroke comprises an end position, wherein said firing assembly is configured to eject all of said staples from said staple cavities before reaching said end position, and wherein said firing assembly is configured to release said layer before reaching said end position.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said firing stroke comprises an end position, wherein said firing assembly is configured to eject all of said staples from said staple cavities before reaching said end position, and wherein said firing assembly is configured to release said layer upon reaching said end position.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said staples comprise different unformed heights, and wherein said staples comprise different formed heights.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

6. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a laterally sloped deck and staple cavities;

staples at least partially positioned within said staple cavities;

a layer attached to said deck, wherein said layer at least partially extends over said staple cavities, and wherein said layer is positioned adjacent said laterally sloped deck;

a retention pin engaged with said layer to secure said layer to said cartridge body, wherein said retention pin is moveable between a first configuration wherein said retention pin is engaged with said layer and positioned above said deck and a second configuration wherein said retention pin is separated from said layer and positioned below said deck; and

a firing member movable through said cartridge body to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing member, wherein said firing member is configured to engage said retention pin to transition said retention pin into said second configuration during said firing stroke to release said layer from said cartridge body.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said firing stroke comprises an end position, wherein said firing member is configured to eject all of said staples from said staple cavities before reaching said end position, and wherein said firing member is configured to release said layer before reaching said end position.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said firing stroke comprises an end position, wherein said firing member is configured to eject all of said staples from said cartridge body before reaching said end position, and wherein said firing member is configured to release said layer upon reaching said end position.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said staples comprise different unformed heights, and wherein said staples comprise different formed heights.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 6, further comprising a biasing member configured to bias said retention pin into engagement with said layer, and wherein said firing member is configured to overcome said biasing member during said firing stroke.

12. An end effector of a surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:

an anvil; and

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a laterally stepped deck and staple cavities;

staples at least partially positioned within said staple cavities;

a layer attached to said deck, wherein said layer at least partially extends over said staple cavities;

an anchor configured to releasably secure said layer to said cartridge body, said anchor comprising;

a clamp portion; and

a retention portion moveable between an engaged configuration wherein said retention portion is engaged with said layer and positioned above said deck and a disengaged configuration wherein said retention portion is disengaged from said layer and positioned lower than said deck; and

a firing member movable through said cartridge body to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke of said firing member, wherein said anchor is engageable by said firing member during said firing stroke to release said layer such that said firing member is configured to transition said retention portion into said disengaged configuration during said firing stroke.

13. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said staple cartridge is movable relative to said anvil to capture tissue therebetween.

14. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said staples comprise different unformed heights, and wherein said staples comprise different formed heights.