Staple cartridge

• US 10,736,630 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2018
• Issued: 08/11/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Huang, Zhifan F., Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A
• Application Number:
  US15/971,567
• Publication Number:
  US 20180317917A1
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271761, 2271752, 2271801, 606 1, 606139, 606151, 606213, 606219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/072 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• 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 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/036 abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a tissue stop configured to inhibit tissue from flowing out of the distal end of the stapling instrument as the tissue is being stapled and/or incised. Also disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus comprising one or more interruptions, or absent staple cavities, in the rows of staple cavities defined therein. Also disclosed is a surgical stapling apparatus comprising a channel configured to receive tissue and/or another surgical instrument therein. In at least one instance, such a stapling apparatus could comprise staple cavities on one side of a longitudinal knife slot and no staple cavities on the other side of the knife slot. Further disclosed are methods for using the surgical stapling devices disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with a stapling instrument including an anvil, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;

a distal cluster of staple cavities;

a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and

longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster, wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said first lateral side, and wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said second lateral side;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and

a deflectable support extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable support is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable support is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable support is configured to inhibit the distal flow of tissue relative to said deck.

2. A staple cartridge for use with a stapling instrument including an anvil, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;

a distal cluster of staple cavities;

a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and

longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster, wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said first lateral side, and wherein only one said longitudinal row of staple cavities is present on said second lateral side;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and

a deflectable distal nose extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable distal nose is configured to trap tissue over said deck.

3. An end effector, comprising:

an anvil;

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end, and wherein said longitudinal slot defines a first lateral side of said deck and a second lateral side of said deck;

a distal cluster of staple cavities;

a proximal cluster of staple cavities; and

longitudinal rows of staple cavities connecting said proximal cluster and said distal cluster;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities; and

a deformable distal nose extending from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to support said anvil when said anvil is clamped, wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by said anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deformable distal nose is configured to trap tissue over said deck.

4. A fastener for use with a fastening instrument including an anvil, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface;

a longitudinal slot defined in said deck, wherein said longitudinal slot extends from said proximal end toward said distal end;

a proximal group of fastener cavities;

a distal group of fastener cavities; and

a longitudinal row of fastener cavities connecting said proximal group and said distal group;

fasteners removably stored in said fastener cavities; and

a deflectable support extending upwardly from said distal end of said cartridge body and extending above said deck of said cartridge body, wherein said deflectable support is configured to support the anvil when the anvil is clamped, wherein said deflectable support is configured to deflect when the clamping force applied by the anvil exceeds a threshold, and wherein said deflectable support is configured to inhibit the distal flow of tissue relative to said deck.