Extraluminal sealant applicator and method

• US 20060085031A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bettuchi, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,744,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/215
• 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 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1125 Forceps, specially adapted for performing or assisting anastomosis

Abstract

An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site, comprising:

a handle;

an end effector in operative association with the handle, the end effector including a sealant-applying structure for applying sealant to the target tissue; and

at least one conduit for conveying sealant to the sealant-applying structure in the end effector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector is in the form of a clamp.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the clamp comprises two jaw members.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a shaft extending between the handle and the end effector, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the jaw members is arcuate with respect to the longitudinal axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the jaw members is planar with respect to the longitudinal axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the jaw members is rigid.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the jaw members is deformable.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one jaw member is rigid and the other jaw member is deformable.

10. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one reservoir.

11. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one of the jaw members comprises side walls for confining sealant, each side wall includes a first end operatively connected to the jaw member and a second end extending from the jaw member to come into contact with tissue when the end effector is in a closed condition.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one side wall comprises elements for increasing friction between the second end thereof and tissue.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the elements for increasing friction are pins.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the side walls is rigid.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least one of the side walls is flexible.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a locking means for maintaining the end effector in a closed condition.

17. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the shaft comprises at least one conduit extending therethrough for carrying sealant from the handle to the sealant-applying structure of the end effector.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises means for locking the end effector in a closed position.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a structure for controllably operating the end effector.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the structure for operating the end effector comprises a sliding mechanism for controllably operating the end effector upon actuation of the sliding mechanism.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the structure for operating the end effector comprises a lever for controllably operating the end effector upon actuation of the lever.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealant-applying structure comprises a lever for controllably dispensing sealant through the conduit and towards the end effector upon movement of the lever.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealant-applying structure comprises a sliding mechanism for controllably dispensing sealant through the conduit and towards the end effector upon advancement of the sliding mechanism.

24. A method for applying sealant to a target tissue site, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having a clamp;

positioning the clamp around and closing the clamp on the target tissue site; and

applying sealant to the target tissue site via the clamp.

25. An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue site, the apparatus comprising:

an end effector operatively configured to be able to substantially surround the target tissue site;

side walls for confining sealant; and

a conduit in fluid association with the end effector for conveying sealant to the end effector for dispensing onto the target tissue site.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the end effector comprises two jaw members.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the jaw members are configured to releasably lock with each other when the end effector is positioned around the target tissue site.