Extraluminal sealant applicator and method

• US 7,744,624 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Issued: 06/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bettuchi, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Anhtuan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Severson; Ryan J
• Application Number:
  US11/251,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20060085031A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 606/205, 606/207, 606/208, 606/214, 606/215
• US Class Current: 606/207
• 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 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1125 Forceps, specially adapted for performing or assisting anastomosis

Abstract

An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site is provided. The apparatus includes a handle, conduit and an end effector. The handle has means configured and adapted for operating the end effector and dispensing biological sealant to the surgical site via the end effector. The conduit stores and/or carries sealant towards the end effector. The end effector is configured to clamp around a body organ or tissue and apply and confine biological sealant in a substantially uniform manner thereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying sealant to a target tissue of a surgical site, comprising:

a handle;

an end effector in operative association with the handle, the end effector including a first jaw member, a second jaw member and a sealant-applying structure, the first jaw member and the second jaw member each having a generally arcuate shape, wherein the sealant-applying structure is configured for applying sealant to the target tissue;

at least one conduit for conveying sealant to the sealant-applying structure in the end effector; and

wherein the arcuate shape of the first jaw member and the arcuate shape of the second jaw member define a transverse opening having a center for encircling the target tissue when the jaw members are in an approximated position, the sealant-applying structure including a first aperture on the first jaw member and a second aperture on the second jaw member, the first aperture and the second aperture being arranged for directing the sealant toward the center of the transverse opening;

further comprising side walls for confining sealant, each side wall including a first end operatively connected to the jaw member and a second end extending from the jaw member to come into contact with tissue when the end effector is in a closed condition;

wherein at least one of the jaw members comprises side walls for confining sealant, each side wall includes a first end operatively connected to the jaw member and a second end extending from the jaw member to come into contact with tissue when the end effector is in a closed condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector is in the form of a clamp.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a shaft extending between the handle and the end effector, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one of the jaw members is planar with respect to the longitudinal axis.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shaft comprises at least one conduit extending therethrough for carrying sealant from the handle to the sealant-applying structure of the end effector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the jaw members is rigid.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the jaw members is deformable.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one jaw member is rigid and the other jaw member is deformable.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes at least one reservoir.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one side wall comprises elements for increasing friction between the second end thereof and tissue.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the elements for increasing friction are pins.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side walls is rigid.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the side walls is flexible.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a locking means for maintaining the jaw members in an approximated position.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises means for locking the jaw members in an approximated position.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a structure for controllably operating the end effector.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the structure for operating the end effector comprises a sliding mechanism for controllably operating the end effector upon actuation of the sliding mechanism.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the structure for operating the end effector comprises a lever for controllably operating the end effector upon actuation of the lever.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealant-applying structure comprises a lever for controllably dispensing sealant through the conduit and towards the end effector upon movement of the lever.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sealant-applying structure comprises a sliding mechanism for controllably dispensing sealant through the conduit and towards the end effector upon advancement of the sliding mechanism.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member have a generally arcuate shape with respect to a longitudinal axis and wherein the shapes are substantially mirror images of one another.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member has a generally arcuate shape with respect to a longitudinal axis along a majority of its length.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member are movable with respect to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a circle-like opening is formed between the first jaw member and the second jaw member when the jaw members are in the approximated position.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein a majority of a length of the first jaw member does not contact the second jaw member when the jaw members are in the approximated position.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewalls extend substantially perpendicularly from the at least one jaw member and wherein the sidewalls extend substantially continuously along a length of the at least one jaw member.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transverse opening defines a central axis that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the end effector.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the jaw members is rigid and wherein at least one side wall is flexible.