SURGICAL FASTENING APPARATUS

• US 20110095069A1
• Filed: 10/07/2010
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wenchell, Thomas, Patel, Nihir
• Granted Patent: US 8,430,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• 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 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• 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 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• 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

Abstract

A surgical fastening apparatus including a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein and a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of surgical fasteners extending therefrom. The surgical fasteners are engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween. The fasteners are engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member.

Claims

1. A surgical fastening apparatus comprising:

a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein;

a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of spaced apart surgical fasteners extending therefrom, the surgical fasteners engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween, the fasteners engageable with the openings in a plurality of positions dependent on a tissue thickness between the fastener receiving frame and the fastener supporting member;

a retaining structure for the fastener receiving frame, the fastener receiving frame detachably secured to the retaining structure; and

a pusher for advancing the fastener supporting frame into engagement with the fastener receiving frame.

2. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pusher is an annular pusher and the fastener supporting member includes an annular supporting frame having the fastener extending distally therefrom.

3. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an annular blade advanceable by the annular pusher to sever tissue.

4. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners have a series of locking tabs axially spaced along the fastener to mate with the respective opening in the fastener receiving frame at various positions to provide a variable depth of engagement.

5. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the openings have a series of locking surfaces to engage the respective fastener at various positions to provide a variable depth of engagement.

6. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 4, wherein the locking tabs include a plurality of substantially semi-circular ribs.

7. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fasteners include a longitudinally extending slot formed therein.

8. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 4, wherein the locking tabs include a plurality of projections angled to enable movement of the fastener in a first direction toward the opening in the fastener receiving frame and prevent movement of the fastener in a second opposite direction away from the opening.

9. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners include a reservoir to receive a drug.

10. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fastener receiving frame has a substantially planar outer surface.

11. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening has a first depth and the respective fastener has a first length, the first length being less than the first depth.

12. A surgical fastening apparatus comprising:

a fastener receiving frame including a plurality of spaced apart openings formed therein;

a fastener supporting member containing a plurality of spaced apart surgical fasteners extending therefrom, the surgical fasteners engagable with the plurality of openings to mate with the fastener receiving frame to fasten tissue therebetween, the fasteners and openings configured to allow locking engagement of the fasteners in the openings at two or more depths of the fastener, the depth of the fastener preselected prior to advancement of the fasteners into the openings.

13. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener receiving frame is detachably secured to a supporting structure secured to an anvil and a substantially annular pusher advances the fastener supporting member into engagement with the fastener receiving frame.

14. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fastener supporting member and fastener receiving frame are substantially annular.

15. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fasteners include a series of locking tabs spaced axially along a length of the fastener.

16. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surgical apparatus includes a sensor positioned at a distal portion to determine a tissue parameter to send a signal to determine the extent of advancement of the fastener supporting member.

17. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the surgical apparatus includes a sensor positioned at a distal portion to determine an apparatus parameter to send a signal to determine the extent of advancement of the fastener supporting member.

18. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of fasteners are substantially uniformly spaced apart.

19. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener receiving frame, fastener supporting member and plurality of fasteners are made of biodegradable polymer.

20. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 12, wherein the fastener supporting member is elastic.

21. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 13, wherein the fastener supporting member is elastic.