Circular stapler and staple line reinforcement material

• US 8,789,737 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hodgkinson, Gerald N., Stevenson, Richard, Whiffen, Jennifer
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/094,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20120273547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,189 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/07207 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/68 by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers , e.g. foam blocks mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument comprises a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots, an anvil assembly having an anvil member defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses, the staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both, having one or more attachment members; and a staple line reinforcement material attached to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding. The staple line reinforcement material can be attached to an anvil assembly utilizing a retainer.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a surgical stapling instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue contacting surface including a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots,

providing an anvil assembly having an anvil member with a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses, the staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both, having one or more attachment members attached to the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both;

providing staple line reinforcement material;

securing the staple line reinforcement material to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding, wherein the ultrasonic welding is between the staple line reinforcement material and the attachment members.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of releasably attaching the staple line reinforcement material to the attachment members by ultrasonic welding.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing staple line reinforcement material that defines perforations adjacent the attachment members.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a staple cartridge assembly includes the step of providing a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows arranged in circular rows.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of providing an anvil assembly includes the step or providing an anvil assembly having a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses arranged in circular rows.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the one or more attachment members on the anvil member by molding plastic.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing a metal anvil member;

providing plastic attachment members; and

disposing the one or more attachment members on the anvil member.

8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of disposing the one or more attachment members on the staple cartridge assembly at a location outwardly of the rows of staple receiving slots.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

attaching the staple line reinforcement material to the one or more attachment members; and

defining perforations adjacent the one or more attachment members.

10. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of disposing the one or more attachment members on the anvil assembly at a location outwardly of the rows of staple forming recesses.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of:

attaching the staple line reinforcement material to the one or more attachment members; and

defining perforations adjacent the one or more attachment members.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

providing an anvil assembly including, a shaft;

providing a tubular body portion including a rod;

mounting the staple cartridge assembly in the tubular body portion by attaching the shaft of the anvil assembly to the rod of the tubular body portion.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing the attachment members between adjacent staple forming recesses of the anvil member.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing the attachment members flush with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of forming the attachment members from a polymeric material.