Staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler

• US 10,271,846 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2016
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Hess, Christopher J., Weisenburgh, II, William B., Morgan, Jerome R., Uth, Joshua R., Voegele, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/141,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20160242775A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271751, 2271761, 2271801, 606219, 606153, 606139, 606220
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00371 Multiple actuation, e.g. pushing of two buttons, or two working tips becoming operational
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00929 isolating electrical current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : 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 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter

Abstract

A staple cartridge for use with a stapling device that has an actuator that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions is disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention include a cartridge body that movably supports first and second staple drivers. The staple drivers each support a staple thereon and serve to drive the staples into forming contact with the anvil upon actuation by the actuator. The various embodiments of the present invention enable the final formed heights of the staples to be varied so as to apply various clamping forces and pressures to soft tissue captured within the staples. In at least one embodiment, the staples can include crowns formed thereon which can be utilized to adjust or control the clamping force and/or pressure applied by the staples.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler including an anvil, wherein the surgical stapler is transitionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration to capture tissue between the anvil and said staple cartridge assembly, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a tissue-supporting deck, wherein said tissue-supporting deck comprises;

a first deck surface; and

a second deck surface, wherein said second deck surface is closer to the anvil than said first deck surface in the closed configuration;

a plurality of staples deployable into tissue;

a buttressing member removably attached to said tissue-supporting deck, wherein said buttressing member comprises at least two narrow portions removably attached to said tissue-supporting deck, and wherein said at least two narrow portions are utilized for attaching said buttressing member to said tissue-supporting deck; and

a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing member is movable relative to said cartridge body during a firing stroke to deploy said plurality of staples into the tissue, wherein said buttressing member is completely removed from said tissue-supporting deck as a result of said firing stroke, and wherein said firing system is movable during said firing stroke to engage and release said at least two narrow portions from said tissue-supporting deck.

2. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an elongate shaft;

an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector is responsive to a closing motion transmitted through said elongate shaft to transition said end effector toward a closed configuration, and wherein said end effector comprises;

an anvil; and

a staple cartridge assembly in a confronting relationship with said anvil in said closed configuration, wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises;

a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein said deck comprises;

a first deck surface; and

a second deck surface, wherein said second deck surface is closer to said anvil than said first deck surface in said closed configuration;

a plurality of staples deployable into tissue;

a buttressing member removably attached to said deck; and

at least two tapered portions removably attached to said deck, wherein said at least two tapered portions releasably attach said buttressing member to said deck; and

a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing member is movable relative to said cartridge body during a firing stroke to deploy said plurality of staples into the tissue, wherein said buttressing member is completely removed from said deck as a result of said firing stroke, and wherein said firing system is movable during said firing stroke to engage and release said at least two tapered portions from said deck.

3. A surgical end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a staple cartridge assembly, wherein one of said anvil and said staple cartridge assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the other of said anvil and said staple cartridge assembly to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein said staple cartridge assembly comprises;

a cartridge body comprising a deck, wherein said deck comprises;

a first deck surface, wherein said first deck surface and said anvil define a first gap distance therebetween in said closed position; and

a second deck surface, wherein said second deck surface and said anvil define a second gap distance therebetween in said closed position, and wherein said second gap distance is different than said first gap distance;

a plurality of staples deployable into tissue;

a buttressing member removably attached to said deck; and

at least two tapered portions removably attached to said deck, wherein said at least two tapered portions releasably attach said buttressing member to said deck; and

a firing system comprising a firing member, wherein said firing member is movable relative to said cartridge body during a firing stroke to deploy said plurality of staples into the tissue, wherein said buttressing member is completely removed from said deck as a result of said firing stroke, and wherein said firing system is movable during said firing stroke to engage and release said at least two tapered portions from said deck.