STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES

• US 20170367698A1
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Published: 12/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L., Bakos, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,675,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/072 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0645 being elastically deformed for insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/07257 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter

Abstract

A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed which comprises staples formed from one or more sheets of material. The staples are removably stored in a cartridge body comprising a deck configured to support the tissue of a patient. The staple cartridge assembly further comprises a sled configured to sequentially engage the staples and lift the staples between unfired and fired positions. The staples comprise a tissue engaging surface which is deployed above the deck when the staples are moved into their fired positions.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck configured to support the tissue of a patient; and

a plurality of staple cavities defined in said deck;

a plurality of metal staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein each said metal staple comprises;

a crown comprising a tissue contacting surface;

a first leg connected to said crown;

a second leg connected to said crown; and

a driver integrally formed with said crown; and

a sled movable toward said distal end during a firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said drivers of said metal staples and move each said metal staple between an unfired position and a fired position during the firing stroke, wherein said tissue contacting surfaces of said crowns are positioned above said deck when said metal staples are in said fired position, and wherein said drivers of said metal staples are positioned at least partially below said deck when said metal staples are in said fired position.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body further comprises guides extending from said deck which are configured to support and guide said staple legs above said deck as said metal staples are moved into said fired position, and wherein said tissue contacting surfaces of said crowns are at least partially positioned above said guides when said metal staples are in said fired position.

3. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said sled comprises one or more drive surfaces configured to engage said drivers of said metal staples, wherein each said drive surface comprises a top surface, and wherein said top surface of each said drive surface is entirely below said deck.

4. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck configured to support the tissue of a patient; and

a staple cavity defined in said deck;

a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, wherein said staple comprises;

a crown comprising a tissue engaging surface;

a first leg extending from said crown;

a second leg extending from said crown; and

a driver integrally formed with said crown; and

a sled movable toward said distal end during a firing stroke, wherein said sled is configured to directly engage said driver of said staple and move said staple between an unfired position and a fired position during the firing stroke, wherein said tissue engaging surface of said crown is positioned at least partially above said deck when said staple is in said fired position, and wherein said driver is positioned at least partially below said deck when said staple is in said fired position.

5. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a guide extending from said deck which is configured to support and guide said staple first leg above said deck as said staple is moved into said fired position, and wherein said tissue contacting surface of said crown is at least partially positioned above said guide when said staple is in said fired position.

6. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 4, wherein said sled comprises a drive surface configured to engage said driver of said staple, wherein said drive surface comprises a top surface, and wherein said top surface is entirely below said deck.

7. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a deck configured to support the tissue of a patient; and

a staple cavity defined in said deck;

a staple removably stored in said staple cavity, wherein said staple comprises;

a crown comprising a tissue engaging surface;

a first leg extending from said crown;

a second leg extending from said crown; and

a driver integrally formed with said crown; and

a firing member movable toward said distal end during a firing stroke, wherein said firing member is configured to directly engage said driver of said staple and move said staple between an unfired position and a fired position during the firing stroke, wherein said tissue engaging surface of said crown is positioned entirely above said deck when said staple is in said fired position, and wherein said driver is positioned entirely below said deck when said staple is in said fired position.

8. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a guide extending from said deck which is configured to support and guide said staple first leg above said deck as said staple is moved into said fired position, and wherein said tissue contacting surface of said crown is entirely partially positioned above said guide when said staple is in said fired position.

9. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said firing member comprises a drive surface configured to engage said driver of said staple, wherein said drive surface comprises a top surface, and wherein said top surface is entirely below said deck.