ANVIL LAYER ATTACHED TO A PROXIMAL END OF AN END EFFECTOR

• US 20130256383A1
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• 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: Aronhalt, Taylor W., Smith, Bret W., Schmid, Katherine J., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Henderson, Cortney E., Scheib, Charles J., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 9,848,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• 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 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• 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 2017/2923 : 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 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• 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 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

An anvil-attachable layer for use with a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein a proximal end portion of the layer is attached to a staple cartridge assembly, for example. The layer may be attached to the staple cartridge assembly by an adhesive, weld, or a staple-cartridge-based clamp, wherein the attachment is weak enough to allow the layer to pull away from the staple cartridge assembly with stapled tissue. Alternatively, the layer can include two or more lateral slits that define a connector region that can be cut by a knife of a surgical stapler to release the layer.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge channel configured to receive said staple cartridge, an anvil arranged relative to the staple cartridge channel, and a cutting blade that is movable along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the end effector toward a distal end of the end effector, wherein at least one of the staple cartridge channel and the anvil is moveable relative to the other, and wherein the anvil includes a staple forming surface facing the staple cartridge channel, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities, wherein said cartridge body defines a proximal end portion;

a layer configured to be arranged relative to a surface of the anvil of the end effector, said layer comprising a proximal end portion; and

attachment means for attaching said proximal end portion of said first layer to said staple cartridge.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said layer is a first layer, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a staple deck, wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a second layer arranged relative to said staple deck, and wherein said staple deck is configured to face the anvil when said staple cartridge is installed in the end effector.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprises a meltable region of said proximal end portion of said first layer and a meltable region of said second layer.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said attachment means comprises an adhesive adhering to said proximal end portion of said first layer to said second layer.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one clip configured to retain said proximal end portion of said first layer to said cartridge body.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises a meltable region of said proximal end portion of said first layer that is meltable onto said proximal end portion of said cartridge body.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said attachment means comprises an adhesive adhering at least a region of said proximal end portion to said proximal end portion of said cartridge body.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposing said first lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a midline between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral slit arranged distally relative to said proximal end portion of said first layer and extending from said first lateral side past said midline and toward said second lateral side, and wherein said first layer comprises a second lateral slit arranged distally relative to said first lateral slit and extending from said second lateral side past said midline and toward said first lateral side, and wherein said first lateral slit and said second lateral slit define a connector portion of said first layer connected to said proximal end portion of said first layer and a remaining portion of said first layer.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein said connector portion of said first layer is configured to be cut by the cutting blade of the end effector.

11. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and for stapling the tissue of a patient, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body positionable relative to a first side of the patient tissue;

a plurality of staples at least partially stored within said cartridge body, wherein said staples are movable between an unfired position and a fired position to penetrate the first side and a second side of the patient tissue; and

a layer, comprising;

a first portion releasably attached to said cartridge body; and

a second portion movable relative to said first portion, wherein said second portion is configured to be positioned on the second side of the patient tissue.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 11, wherein said second portion is unattached to said cartridge body.

13. The staple cartridge of claim 11, wherein said cartridge body comprises a deck, and wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a second layer positioned against said deck.

14. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 11, further comprising a clamp portion configured to releasably hold said first portion of said layer to said cartridge body.

16. A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and for stapling the tissue of a patient, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body positionable relative to a first side of the patient tissue;

a first layer positioned over said cartridge body, wherein said first layer is also positionable relative to the first side of the patient tissue;

a plurality of staples at least partially stored within said cartridge body, wherein said staples are movable between an unfired position and a fired position to penetrate the first layer, the first side of the patient tissue, and a second side of the patient tissue; and

a second layer, comprising;

an attachment portion releasably attached to said first layer; and

a second portion movable relative to said attachment portion, wherein said second portion is configured to be positioned on the second side of the patient tissue.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said second portion is unattached to said first layer.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said first layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a clamp portion configured to releasably hold said second layer to said first layer.