TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING PORTIONS HAVING DIFFERENT PROPERTIES

• US 20120080337A1
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Rhee, Sora, Baxter, Chester O. III, Aronhalt, Taylor W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,113,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 206/339
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/105 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 : with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 : Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 : Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 : Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00818 : Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 : elastic or resilient for sutures A61B2017/0618
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 : Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• 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 2017/07242 : 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 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 : characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 : characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2916 : pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 : Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck extending between said proximal end and said distal end;

an implantable compressible portion positioned above said deck, wherein said compressible portion comprises a stepped surface comprising a first step comprising a first thickness and a second step comprising a second thickness, and wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness; and

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein said staple cavities are positioned along a staple forming path defined between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said first thickness and said second thickness are positioned along said staple forming path, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck; and

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between said unfired position and said fired position, and wherein said compressible portion is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples when said staples are deformed between said unfired configuration and said fired configuration.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said deck comprises a plurality of first steps and a plurality of second steps positioned along said staple forming path.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first steps alternate with said second steps.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 3, wherein said tissue thickness compensator further comprises sloped surfaces extending between said first steps and said second steps.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said staple forming path comprises a first forming path, wherein said staple cavities are positioned along a second staple forming path defined between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said second staple forming path is parallel to said first staple forming path, and wherein a plurality of said first steps and a plurality of said second steps are positioned along said second staple forming path.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said first steps positioned along said first staple forming path are offset with respect to said first steps positioned along said second staple forming path, and wherein said second steps positioned along said first staple forming path are offset with respect to said second steps positioned along said second staple forming path.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said first steps positioned along said first staple forming path are aligned with said first steps positioned along said second staple forming path, and wherein said second steps positioned along said first staple forming path are aligned with said second steps positioned along said second staple forming path.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said tissue thickness compensator further comprises a third step comprising a third thickness, wherein said third thickness is different than said first thickness and said second thickness, and wherein said third step is positioned along said staple forming path.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said staple forming path is straight.

10. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck extending between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said deck comprises an undulating surface comprising a plurality of crests and a plurality of valleys; and

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein said staple cavities are positioned along a staple forming path defined between said proximal end and said distal end, wherein said crests and valleys are positioned along said staple forming path, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck, and wherein at least one staple cavity opening is defined in a said crest and at least one staple cavity opening is defined in a said valley;

an implantable compressible portion positioned adjacent to said support portion, wherein said compressible portion is configured to conform to said undulating surface; and

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between said unfired position and said fired position, and wherein said compressible portion is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples when said staples are deformed between said unfired configuration and said fired configuration.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said crests alternate with said valleys.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 10, wherein said staple forming path is straight.

13. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a deck; and

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said deck, wherein said staple cavities are positioned along a staple forming path, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said deck;

an implantable compressible portion positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said compressible portion is configured to conform to said deck surface, wherein said compressible portion comprises at least one void defined therein, and wherein said at least one void is positioned along said staple forming path; and

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between said unfired position and said fired position, and wherein said compressible portion is configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples when said staples are deformed between said unfired configuration and said fired configuration.

14. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said at least one void comprises a groove aligned with said staple forming path.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row and a second longitudinal row, and wherein said at least one void comprises a groove positioned over the openings of said staple cavities in said first longitudinal row.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 15, wherein said groove is positioned over the openings of said staple cavities in said second longitudinal row.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said groove has a first depth aligned with said first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second depth aligned with said second longitudinal row of staple cavities.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row and a second longitudinal row, and wherein said at least one void comprises a first groove positioned over the openings of said staple cavities in said first longitudinal row and a second groove positioned over the openings of said staple cavities in said second longitudinal row.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 18, wherein said first groove comprises a first depth and said second groove comprises a second depth.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said at least one void comprises a plurality of enclosed pockets.