Anvil layer attached to a proximal end of an end effector

• US 9,848,875 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Aronhalt, Taylor W., Smith, Bret W., Schmid, Katherine J., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Henderson, Cortney E., Scheib, Charles J., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, THANH K
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wittenschlaeger, Thomas
• Application Number:
  US13/763,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20130256383A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,782 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

An anvil-attachable layer for use with a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein a proximal end portion of the layer is attached to a staple cartridge assembly, for example. The layer may be attached to the staple cartridge assembly by an adhesive, weld, or a staple-cartridge-based clamp, wherein the attachment is weak enough to allow the layer to pull away from the staple cartridge assembly with stapled tissue. Alternatively, the layer can include two or more lateral slits that define a connector region that can be cut by a knife of a surgical stapler to release the layer.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge channel configured to receive said staple cartridge, and an anvil arranged relative to the staple cartridge channel, and a cutting blade that is movable along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the end effector toward a distal end of the end effector, wherein at least one of the staple cartridge channel and the anvil is moveable relative to the other, and wherein the anvil includes a staple forming surface facing the staple cartridge channel, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said cartridge body defines a proximal end portion, and wherein said cartridge body further comprises a staple deck;

a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities;

a layer configured to be attached to a surface of the anvil of the end effector upon placement of a new staple cartridge within said end effector, said layer comprising a proximal end portion, wherein said layer is a first layer, wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a second layer arranged relative to said staple deck, wherein said staple deck is configured to face the anvil when said staple cartridge is installed in the end effector, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposing said first lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a midline between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral slit arranged distally relative to said proximal end portion of said first layer and extending from said first lateral side past said midline and toward said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a second lateral slit arranged distally relative to said first lateral slit and extending from said second lateral side past said midline and toward said first lateral side, and wherein said first lateral slit and said second lateral slit define a connector portion of said first layer connected to said proximal end portion of said first layer and a remaining portion of said first layer; and

attachment means for attaching said proximal end portion of said layer to said staple cartridge.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said connector portion of said first layer is configured to be cut by the cutting blade of the end effector.

3. A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge channel configured to receive said staple cartridge, an anvil arranged relative to the staple cartridge channel, and a cutting blade that is movable along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the end effector toward a distal end of the end effector, wherein at least one of the staple cartridge channel and the anvil is moveable relative to the other, and wherein the anvil includes a staple forming surface facing the staple cartridge channel, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body comprising;

a plurality of staple cavities; and

a staple deck, wherein said staple deck is configured to face the anvil when said staple cartridge is installed in the end effector, and wherein said cartridge body defines a proximal end portion;

a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities;

a first layer configured to be arranged relative to a surface of the anvil of the end effector, said first layer comprising a proximal end portion, wherein said first layer further comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposing said first lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a midline between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral slit arranged distally relative to said proximal end portion of said first layer and extending from said first lateral side past said midline and toward said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a second lateral slit arranged distally relative to said first lateral slit and extending from said second lateral side past midline and toward said first lateral side, and wherein said first lateral slit and said second lateral slit define a connector portion of said first layer connected to said proximal end portion of said first layer and a remaining portion of said first layer;

a second layer configured to be arranged relative to a surface of said staple deck; and

attachment means for attaching said proximal end portion of said first layer to said staple cartridge.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 3, wherein said connector portion of said first layer is configured to be cut by the cutting blade of the end effector.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 3, wherein said connector portion of said first layer is releasably attached to said proximal end portion of said first layer.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said connector portion of said first layer is releasably attached to said staple cartridge.