Circular stapler buttress

• US 7,547,312 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: Gore Enterprise Holdings Incorporated
• Inventors: Bauman, Ann M., Daugherty, John R., Pih, Norman, Crawley, Jerald M., Broyles, Stuart E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo; Julian W
• Application Number:
  US10/944,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20050059996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,734 Days
• Field of Search: 606 75- 77, 606/151, 606/153, 606213-215, 606/219, 227/175.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 227/200, 227/213
• US Class Current: 606/151
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples

Abstract

A buttress for use with circular surgical staplers that does not require adhesive to securely fasten the buttress to the stapler. Following cutting and stapling by the circular stapler, the buttress has an adaptive opening through its central region with a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the stapler anvil. Because of relief features built into the buttress, the stapler anvil may be pulled through the buttress material without causing permanent alteration to the buttress. These relief features may be provided regardless of whether the buttress is made of inelastic or elastic materials. The buttress is generally circular in shape with an outer diameter sized to coincide with the outer diameter of the stapler body staple compression surface and the outer diameter of the anvil compression surface of a circular stapler with which it is used. Prior to surgical use, the buttress is attached to the stapler with disruptable portions extending from outer perimetal areas of the buttress.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device adapted to reinforce a surgical opening formed in a patient with a circular stapler having a cutting blade, said device comprising:

a buttress material adapted for mounting on said circular stapler, said stapler having an anvil that is larger in diameter than said surgical opening that is created by said cutting blade, wherein following stapling with said stapler and cutting with said cutting blade, said buttress material is adapted to reinforce stapled tissue surrounding said surgical opening created by said cutting blade in said patient and has an adaptive opening formed therein;

wherein the buttress material comprises a bioabsorbable web material substantially in the form of a circle, said circular web material having an outer edge and a centrally located opening delimiting an inner edge;

at least two disruptable areas positioned along said outer edge of said circular web material and at least two protrusions of web material each extending beyond each of said at least two disruptable areas, wherein said protrusions are adapted to attach said buttress material to said circular stapler;

a series of slits in said bioabsorbable web material positioned between said outer edge and said inner edge of said circular web material;

wherein said series of slits serve to create said adaptive opening in said buttress material;

wherein said adaptive opening corresponds to said surgical opening in said patient and has a diameter smaller than said diameter of said anvil; and

wherein said adaptive opening allows said anvil to be removed therethrough without causing permanent alteration to said buttress material.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said slits are oriented radially in said circular buttress material.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1 further comprising an adhesive on a surface of each of said at least two protrusions.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 3 further comprising a removable covering placed over said adhesive.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the buttress material is corrugated along a periphery of centrally located opening.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said buttress material is retained on said stapler without use of an adhesive on portions of said buttress material that contact a compression surface of said stapler.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said buttress material self-aligns on a stapler anvil by conforming to an edge delimiting an outer diameter of said stapler.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said bioabsorbable web material comprises non-woven self-cohered filaments.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 8, wherein said self-cohered filament comprise a block copolymer of poly(glycolide:

trimethylene carbonate).

10. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said buttress material includes a filler material.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 10 wherein said filler material comprises a therapeutic agent.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 10 wherein said filler material comprises a bioactive agent.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said circular stapler is adapted to create an anastomotic junction between body tissue;

and said buttress material augments resistance to radial distension at said anastomotic junction.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the device has a reinforced central region that provides added rigidity to the central region.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 14 wherein the central region has greater thickness than other regions of the device.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 14 wherein the central region has denser material than other regions of the device.