FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CAM AND DRIVER ARRANGEMENT

• US 20160235404A1
• Filed: 04/27/2016
• Published: 08/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 10,842,489 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/072 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 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 2017/07235 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 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395

Abstract

A surgical stapling device that comprises an end effector. According to various embodiments, the end effector comprises a circular anvil having a staple forming surface and a plurality of staples facing the staple forming surface of the anvil. The end effector also comprises a staple driver assembly comprising a plurality of staple drivers. Each staple driver supports one of the plurality of staples and is configured such that, when the staple driver assembly is actuated, each staple driver drives the staple into the staple forming surface of the anvil. A first quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a first height and a second quantity of the plurality of staple drivers has a second height, wherein the first height is less than the second height.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A staple cartridge configured to be contained within a channel of a stapling device that has a sled that is selectively actuatable in an axial direction and an anvil portion that is selectively movable between open and closed positions to produce a different opening between the anvil and said staple cartridge in the open and closed positions, said staple cartridge comprising:

a cartridge body supportable within the stapling device for selective confronting relationship with the anvil portion thereof when in a closed position;

a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the sled such that, as the sled is axially advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver is configured to be driven in a direction toward the anvil portion when the anvil portion is in the closed position, and wherein said first staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance; and

a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by the sled such that, as the sled is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is configured to be driven in said direction toward the anvil portion when the anvil portion is in the closed position, wherein said second staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance, and wherein at least one of said staple forming distances of said second staple driver is different than any of said staple forming distances of said first staple driver.

17. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an elongate shaft; and

an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector is responsive to a closing motion transmitted through said elongate shaft to transition said end effector toward a closed configuration, and wherein said end effector comprises;

a sled;

an anvil portion;

a channel; and

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body supported within said channel for a confronting relationship with said anvil portion in said closed configuration;

a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by said sled such that, as said sled is axially advanced through said cartridge body, said first staple driver is configured to be driven in a direction toward said anvil portion when said anvil portion is in said closed configuration, and wherein said first staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance; and

a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body for contact by said sled such that, as said sled is advanced through said cartridge body, said second staple driver is configured to be driven in said direction toward said anvil portion when said anvil portion is in said closed configuration, wherein said second staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance, and wherein at least one of said staple forming distances of said second staple driver is different than said staple forming distances of said first staple driver.

18. A stapling assembly, comprising:

an elongate shaft; and

an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector is responsive to a closing motion transmitted through said elongate shaft to transition said end effector toward a closed configuration, and wherein said end effector comprises;

an anvil portion;

a staple cartridge, comprising;

a cartridge body supportable within said end effector for an opposing relationship with said anvil portion in said closed configuration;

a first staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body, wherein said first staple driver is configured to be driven in a direction toward said anvil portion when said anvil portion is in said closed configuration, and wherein said first staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance; and

a second staple driver movably supported within said cartridge body, wherein said second staple driver is configured to be driven in said direction toward said anvil portion when said anvil portion is in said closed configuration, wherein said second staple driver defines more than one staple forming distance, and wherein at least one of said staple forming distances of said second staple driver is different than said staple forming distances of said first staple driver.