Stapling assemblies comprising a layer

• US 10,194,910 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2015
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• 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., Aronhalt, Taylor W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US14/722,593
• Publication Number:
  US 20150335328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761, 2271751, 2271791, 2271801, 2271811
• 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 can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Claims

1. A surgical end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a deck;

a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and

a plurality of drivers movably positioned in said staple cavities, wherein each said driver is movable from an unfired position to a fully fired position, and wherein said plurality of drivers comprises;

a proximal driver comprising a first surface, wherein said first surface is positioned above said deck when said proximal driver is moved to its fully fired position; and

a distal driver comprising a second surface, wherein said second surface is positioned above said deck when said distal driver is moved to its fully fired position, and wherein said second surface is positioned above said first surface when said proximal driver and said distal driver are in their fully fired positions; and

a firing element configured to move said drivers from their unfired positions to their fully fired positions during a firing stroke; and

a layer positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said layer is configured to be progressively released from said deck during the firing stroke.

2. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said proximal driver and said distal driver are connected.

3. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

4. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said layer comprises a buttress.

5. The surgical end effector of claim 1, further comprising a second layer positioned adjacent to said anvil.

6. The surgical end effector of claim 5, wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

7. The surgical end effector of claim 5, wherein said second layer comprises a buttress.

8. The surgical end effector of claim 1, wherein said deck comprises a stepped deck.

9. A surgical end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body comprising a deck;

a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and

a plurality of drivers movably positioned in said staple cavities, wherein each said driver is movable from an unfired position to a fully fired position, and wherein said plurality of drivers comprises;

a proximal driver comprising a first surface, wherein said first surface is positioned above said deck when said proximal driver is moved to its fully fired position; and

a distal driver comprising a second surface, wherein said second surface is positioned above said deck when said distal driver is moved to its fully fired position, and wherein said second surface is positioned closer to said anvil than said first surface when said proximal driver and said distal driver are in their fully fired positions; and

a firing element configured to move said drivers from their unfired positions to their fully fired positions during a firing stroke; and

a layer positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said layer is configured to be progressively released from said deck during the firing stroke.

10. The surgical end effector of claim 9, wherein said proximal driver and said distal driver are connected.

11. The surgical end effector of claim 9, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

12. The surgical end effector of claim 9, wherein said layer comprises a buttress.

13. The surgical end effector of claim 9, further comprising a second layer positioned adjacent to said anvil.

14. The surgical end effector of claim 13, wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

15. The surgical end effector of claim 13, wherein said second layer comprises a buttress.

16. The surgical end effector of claim 9, wherein said deck comprises a stepped deck.

17. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck;

a plurality of staple cavities defined in said cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities;

a plurality of drivers movably positioned in said staple cavities, wherein each said driver is movable from an unfired position to a fully fired position during a firing stroke, and wherein said plurality of drivers comprises;

a proximal driver comprising a first surface, wherein said first surface is positioned above said deck when said proximal driver is moved to its fully fired position; and

a distal driver comprising a second surface, wherein said second surface is positioned above said deck when said distal driver is moved to its fully fired position, and wherein said second surface is positioned above said first surface when said proximal driver and said distal driver are in their fully fired positions; and

a layer positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said layer is configured to be progressively released from said deck during the firing stroke.

18. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 17, wherein said proximal driver and said distal driver are connected.

19. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 17, wherein said layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

20. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 17, wherein said deck comprises a stepped deck.