STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING COMPRESSIBLE DISTORTION RESISTANT COMPONENTS

• US 20120080491A1
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Baxter, Chester O. III, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Young, Joseph E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,016,542 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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. An assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said assembly comprising:

a cartridge channel;

a cartridge body positioned within said cartridge channel, comprising;

a support portion;

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said support portion, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said support portion;

at least one distortion minimizing member extending from at least one of said cartridge channel and said support portion; and

an implantable compressible portion, wherein said distortion minimizing member is engaged with said compressible portion, wherein said compressible portion comprises;

a first surface positioned adjacent to said support portion;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a porous body extending between said first surface and said tissue-contacting surface, wherein said porous body is sufficiently deflectable to permit said tissue-contacting surface to move laterally relative to said first surface, wherein said at least one distortion minimizing member is configured to inhibit the lateral deflection of said porous body; 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 a said unfired position and a 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 assembly of claim 1, wherein said first surface comprises a skin on said porous body, and wherein said skin has a density which is higher than the density of said porous body.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said tissue-contacting surface comprises a skin on said porous body, and wherein said skin has a density which is higher than the density of said porous body.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said implantable compressible portion is comprised of a homogeneous material.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one distortion minimizing member comprises a plurality of cleats removably embedded in said porous body.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one distortion minimizing member comprises at least one lateral wall extending from said channel.

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

a cartridge body, comprising;

a support portion;

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said support portion, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said support portion;

a plurality of stiffening members extending from said support portion; and

an implantable compressible portion, wherein said stiffening members are at least partially embedded in said compressible portion, wherein said compressible portion comprises;

a first surface positioned adjacent to said support portion;

a tissue-contacting surface; and

a porous body extending between said first surface and said tissue-contacting surface, wherein said porous body is sufficiently deflectable to permit said tissue-contacting surface to move at least one of laterally and longitudinally relative to said first surface, wherein said stiffening members extend through said first surface and at least partially through said porous body, and wherein said stiffening members are configured to inhibit at least one of the lateral and the longitudinal deflection of said porous body; 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 a said unfired position and a said fired position, wherein each said staple comprises at least one deformable leg removably positioned in said guide groove when said staple is in said unfired 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.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said first surface comprises a skin on said porous body.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 8, wherein said skin has a density which is higher than the density of said porous body.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said tissue-contacting surface comprises a skin on said porous body.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said implantable compressible portion is comprised of a homogeneous material.

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

a cartridge body, comprising;

a support portion comprising a proximal support end and a distal support end;

a plurality of staple cavities defined within said support portion, wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening in said support portion; and

an implantable compressible portion positioned adjacent to said support portion, wherein said compressible portion comprises a distal compressible end;

a retention member configured to releasably attach said distal compressible end to said distal support end; 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 a said unfired position and a 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.

13. The staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said retention member extends from said distal support end of said cartridge body.

14. The staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said support portion comprises a deck, wherein a slot is defined between said retention member and said deck, and wherein said distal compressible end is configured to be removably captured within said slot.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said retention member is deformable to capture said distal compressible end within said slot.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said slot is parallel to said deck.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said support portion comprises a deck, and wherein said support portion comprises a slot configured to receive said distal compressible end of said compressible portion.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 17, wherein said slot is transverse to said deck.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said retention member is movable relative to said compressible portion to capture at least a portion of said compressible portion between said retention member and said support portion.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 19, wherein one of said support portion and said retention member comprises a rail, wherein the other of said support portion and said retention member comprises a groove configured to receive said rail, and wherein said groove and said rail are configured to define a path along which said retention member can slide relative to said support portion.

21. The staple cartridge of claim 12, wherein said distal compressible end is comprised of a first material having a first density, wherein said compressible portion comprises a body comprised of a second material having a density which is lower than said first density, and wherein said distal compressible end extends from said body.