Tissue thickness compensator for surgical staplers

• US 9,833,236 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2014
• Issued: 12/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Baxter, III, Chester O.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US14/283,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20140252066A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 606219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/0682 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• 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 for sutures A61B2017/0618
• 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 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 : Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• 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 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• 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 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• 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 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 : Translation of jaw members
• 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: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• 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 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body, a deck, a plurality of fastener cavities, and a plurality of fasteners removably stored within the fastener cavities. The fastener cartridge further comprises a tissue thickness compensator positioned over the fastener cavities configured to be captured within the fasteners, wherein the tissue thickness compensator is configured to adapt to the thickness of the tissue captured within the fasteners. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first compression zone having a first set of material properties and a second compression zone having a second set of material properties, wherein a property in the first set of material properties is different than a corresponding property in the second set of material properties.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities;

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said fasteners are deployable from said fastener cavities to fasten tissue; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned over said fastener cavities, wherein said tissue thickness compensator defines a single layer, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said fasteners, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to adapt to the thickness of the tissue captured within said fasteners, and wherein said single layer of said tissue thickness compensator comprises;

a first compression zone having a first set of material properties; and

a second compression zone having a second set of material properties, wherein a property in said first set of material properties is different than a corresponding property in said second set of material properties, and wherein said first compression zone is spaced apart from said second compression zone.

2. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said corresponding property is selected from the group consisting of density, stiffness, spring rate, durometer, and elasticity.

3. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said fastener cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row and a second longitudinal row, wherein said first compression zone is positioned over said first longitudinal row, and wherein said second compression zone is positioned over said second longitudinal row.

4. The fastener cartridge of claim 3, wherein said first compression zone is also positioned over said second longitudinal row.

5. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first compression zone comprises a first layer and said second compression zone comprises a second layer.

6. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first compression zone and said second compression zone are comprised of a lyophilized material.

7. The fastener cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first compression zone and said second compression zone are comprised of foam.

8. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising;

a deck; and

a plurality of fastener cavities;

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a first group of fasteners and a second group of fasteners;

a tissue thickness compensator positioned over said deck, wherein said tissue thickness compensator defines a single layer, and wherein said single layer comprises;

a first portion comprising a first density, wherein said first group of fasteners is positioned to capture said first portion, and wherein said first portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said first group of fasteners in a first manner; and

a second portion comprising a second density, wherein said second density is different than said first density, wherein said second group of fasteners is positioned to capture said second portion, wherein said second portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said second group of fasteners in a second manner, wherein said second manner is different than said first manner, and wherein said first portion is spaced apart from said second portion.

9. The fastener cartridge of claim 8, wherein said first portion comprises a first layer and said second portion comprises a second layer.

10. The fastener cartridge of claim 8, wherein said first group of fasteners are positioned to capture said second portion.

11. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities;

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a first group of fasteners and a second group of fasteners;

a tissue thickness compensator positioned over said deck, comprising;

a first portion comprising a first density, wherein said first group of fasteners is positioned to capture said first portion, and wherein said first portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said first group of fasteners in a first manner; and

a second portion comprising a second density, wherein said second density is different than said first density, wherein said second group of fasteners is positioned to capture said second portion, wherein said second portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said second group of fasteners in a second manner, wherein said second manner is different than said first manner, and wherein said first group of fasteners are not positioned to capture said second portion, and wherein said second group of fasteners are not positioned to capture said first portion.

12. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities;

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a first group of fasteners and a second group of fasteners;

a tissue thickness compensator positioned over said deck, comprising;

a first portion comprising a first density, wherein said first group of fasteners is positioned to capture said first portion, and wherein said first portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said first group of fasteners in a first manner; and

a second portion comprising a second density, wherein said second density is different than said first density, wherein said second group of fasteners is positioned to capture said second portion, wherein said second portion is configured to adapt to the thickness of tissue captured within said fasteners of said second group of fasteners in a second manner, and wherein said second manner is different than said first manner, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a heat-affected region.

13. An end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a fastener cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities; and

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said fasteners are deployable from said fastener cavities to fasten tissue; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a single layer, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said fasteners, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to adapt to the thickness of the tissue captured within said fasteners, and wherein said single layer of said tissue thickness compensator comprises;

a first compression region having a first set of material properties; and

a second compression region having a second set of material properties, wherein a property in said first set of material properties is different than a corresponding property in said second set of material properties, and wherein said first compression region is spaced apart from said second compression region.

14. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said corresponding property is selected from the group consisting of density, stiffness, spring rate, durometer, and elasticity.

15. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said fastener cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row and a second longitudinal row, wherein said first compression region is positioned over said first longitudinal row, and wherein said second compression region is positioned over said second longitudinal row.

16. The end effector of claim 15, wherein said first compression region is also positioned over said second longitudinal row.

17. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said first compression region comprises a first layer and said second compression region comprises a second layer.

18. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said first compression region and said second compression region are comprised of a lyophilized material.

19. The end effector of claim 13, wherein said first compression region and said second compression region are comprised of foam.

20. An end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a fastener cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of fastener cavities; and

a plurality of fasteners removably stored within said fastener cavities, wherein said fasteners are deployable from said fastener cavities to fasten tissue; and

a tissue thickness compensator positioned intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to be captured within said fasteners, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to adapt to the thickness of the tissue captured within said fasteners, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises;

a first compression region having a first set of material properties; and

a second compression region having a second set of material properties, wherein a property in said first set of material properties is different than a corresponding property in said second set of material properties; and

a heat-affected region.