Variable Compression Surgical Fastener Cartridge

• US 20090277948A1
• Filed: 04/22/2009
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank, Beardsley, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,967,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/178.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/072 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 17/105 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 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07228 Arrangement of the staples
• 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 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder

Abstract

A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge is provided. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge includes a cartridge body that includes a tissue contacting surface that includes a plurality of fastener retention slots. A plurality of surgical fasteners is disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots. Each surgical fastener includes first and second legs of different lengths. A plurality of pushers is operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners. One or more of the pushers is configured such that, upon formation of a corresponding surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg. The non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge also includes an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.

Claims

1. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surface including a plurality of fastener retention slots;

a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots, each surgical fastener having a first leg and a second leg;

a plurality of pushers operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners, each pusher configured for ejecting an associated surgical fastener towards a depression in an anvil, at least one of the pushers being configured such that, upon formation of a corresponding surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg; and

an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.

2. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first leg of the corresponding surgical fastener includes a length that is shorter than a length of the second leg of the corresponding surgical fasteners.

3. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the tissue contacting surface includes a slot configured to accommodate longitudinal movement of a cutting element.

4. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of fastener retention slots are angled forming inner and outer ends with respect to the slot.

5. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein each of the formed surgical fasteners includes a first loop defining the first area and a second loop defining the second area.

6. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the surgical fasteners includes a recess in the backspan of the at least one of the surgical fasteners, prior to formation.

7. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second leg of the corresponding surgical fastener are connected by a backspan that defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface.

8. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the surgical fastener varies.

9. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a top surface of the at least one pusher is sloped.

10. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the backspan of the corresponding surgical fastener follows substantially the same contour as the top surface the at least one pusher.

11. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surface including a plurality of fastener retention slots and a knife slot;

a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots, each surgical fastener having a first end that is closer to the knife slot than a second end;

a plurality of pushers operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners, each pusher configured for ejecting an associated surgical fastener towards a depression in an anvil, at least one of the pushers has a corresponding surgical fastener and the at least one of the pushers being configured such that, upon formation, the first end of the corresponding surgical fastener is smaller in height than the second end of the corresponding surgical fastener; and

an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.

12. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the corresponding surgical fastener has a first leg at the first end and a second leg at the second end, the first leg including a length that is shorter than a length of the second leg.

13. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of fastener retention slots are angled forming inner and outer ends with respect to the knife slot.

14. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein each of the formed surgical fasteners includes a first loop and a second loop.

15. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the surgical fasteners includes a recess in the backspan of the at least one of the surgical fasteners, prior to formation.

16. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the first and second leg of each of the surgical fastener are connected by a backspan that defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface.

17. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein a diameter of the surgical fastener varies.

18. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the pushers has a top surface that is sloped.

19. A non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the backspan follows substantially the same contour as the top surface the pusher.

20. A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated shaft extending distally from the handle assembly;

an operative tool adapted to couple to the shaft, the operative tool comprising;

a pair of opposed jaws pivotally coupled to one another and respectively including an anvil member and a non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge that are approximated relative to one another during use,

wherein the non-reloadable surgical fastener cartridge includes a cartridge body including a tissue contacting surface, the tissue contacting surface including a plurality of fastener retention slots;

a plurality of surgical fasteners disposed in the plurality of fastener retention slots, each surgical fastener having a first leg and a second leg;

a plurality of pushers operably associated with the plurality of surgical fasteners, each pusher configured for ejecting an associated surgical fastener towards a depression in an anvil, at least one of the pushers being configured such that, upon formation of a corresponding surgical fastener, a first area defined by the first leg is smaller than a second area defined by the second leg; and

an actuation mechanism operably associated with the plurality of pushers.

21. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first leg of the corresponding surgical fastener includes a length that is shorter than a length of the second leg of the corresponding surgical fasteners.

22. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the tissue contacting surface includes a slot configured to accommodate longitudinal movement of a cutting element.

23. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of fastener retention slots are angled forming inner and outer ends with respect to the slot.

24. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein each of the formed surgical fasteners includes a first loop defining the first area and a second loop defining the second area.

25. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the surgical fasteners includes a recess in the backspan of the at least one of the surgical fasteners, prior to formation.

26. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the first and second leg of the corresponding surgical fastener are connected by a backspan that defines an angle with respect to the tissue contacting surface.

27. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a diameter of the surgical fastener varies.

28. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 20, wherein a top surface of the at least one pusher is sloped.

29. A surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the backspan of the corresponding surgical fastener follows substantially the same contour as the top surface the at least one pusher.