Extraluminal sealant applicator and method

• US 20080125811A1
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Published: 05/29/2008
• 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 7,972,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/214
• 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 first jaw member, a second jaw member, and a sealant-applying structure configured for applying sealant to the target tissue;

a first conduit configured for conveying a first part of a two-part sealant to the sealant-applying structure; and

a second conduit configured for conveying a second part of the two-part sealant to the sealant-applying structure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a transverse opening is defined between the first jaw member and the second jaw member when the jaw members are in an approximated position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member includes a generally arcuate shape.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a tissue-contacting surface of at least one of the jaw members defines an arcuate portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of the jaw members is planar with respect to a longitudinal axis defined by a shaft extending between the handle and the end effector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members comprises sidewalls for confining sealant, each sidewall 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 around the tissue.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member have a generally arcuate shape and wherein the shapes are substantially mirror images of one another.

8. A method of performing an anastomosis of two luminal organs, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an applicator including;

an end effector having two jaw members defining a pair of tissue-contacting surfaces and having a sealant-applying structure; and

at least one conduit configured for conveying a sealant to the sealant-applying structure;

positioning the jaw members of the applicator adjacent to and around a junction between the two luminal organs;

approximating the jaws of the end effector to substantially surround the junction; and

applying sealant to the junction between the two luminal organs via the end effector.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the tissue-contacting surfaces of the applicator are curved along a majority of their length such that an intermediate portion of each of the pair of tissue contacting surfaces are spaced from one another when in an approximated position.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of conveying a first part of a two-part sealant to the sealant-applying structure, via a first conduit;

and conveying a second part of the two-part sealant to the sealant-applying structure, via a second conduit.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein a transverse opening is defined between a first jaw member and a second jaw member when the jaw members are in an approximated position.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes a generally arcuate shape.

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

an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member and the second jaw member including opposed surfaces each having a radius of curvature extending transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof, such that the first and second jaw members define a space for receiving a luminal organ therebetween when the jaw members are in an approximated position; and

at least one conduit in fluid communication with the end effector for conveying at least a part of a sealant to at least one of the first and second jaw members for dispensing onto the target tissue site.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member includes a generally arcuate shape.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a tissue-contacting surface of at least one of the jaw members defines an arcuate portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the jaw members comprises sidewalls for confining the sealant, each sidewall 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.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member have a generally arcuate shape and wherein the shapes of the first and second jaw members are substantially mirror images of one another.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one conduit includes a first conduit configured for conveying a first part of a two-part sealant to one of the first and second jaw member and a second conduit configured for conveying a second part of the two-part sealant to an other of the first and second jaw member.