Implantable fastener cartridge having a non-uniform arrangement

• US 8,864,007 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Issued: 10/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Widenhouse, Tamara, Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Hemant M
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US12/894,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20120080481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 206/339, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00064 Constructional details of the endoscope body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0051 with controlled bending of insertion part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/008 Articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0643 with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple
• 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 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/003 Steerable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 : Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00323 : Cables or rods
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 : with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 : Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 : Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00946 : malleable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• 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 2017/07242 : 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 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 : connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49863 : with prestressing of part

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible, collapsible, and/or crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use, the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device, wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw, or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to compress, collapse, and/or crush the cartridge body and deform, or otherwise deploy, the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. In various embodiments, the cartridge body can comprise a thickness which is not uniform thereacross. In at least one embodiment, the fasteners can comprise different unformed heights and/or different formed heights.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples, comprising;

a group of first staples, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first staple height is defined between said first base and said first tip; and

a group of second staples, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second staple height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second staple height is taller than said first staple height; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end;

a second end, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end, wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness, and wherein said second staples are positioned in said second end of said implantable cartridge body and said first staples are positioned in said first end; and

an intermediate portion positioned intermediate said first end and said second end,

wherein said plurality of staples further comprises a group of third staples, wherein each said third staple comprises a third base and a third deformable leg extending from said third base, wherein an end of each said third deformable leg comprises a third tip, wherein a third staple height is defined between said third base and said third tip, wherein said third staple height is taller than said first staple height and shorter than said second staple height, and wherein said third staples are positioned in said intermediate portion of said implantable cartridge body.

2. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of fasteners; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said fasteners are at least partially positioned in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a support surface;

a tissue-facing surface;

a first end portion comprising a first thickness measured from said support surface to said tissue-facing surface; and

a second end portion comprising a second thickness measured from said support surface to said tissue-facing surface, wherein said second thickness is different than said first thickness.

3. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of fasteners; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said fasteners are at least partially positioned in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end portion;

a second end portion;

a first length portion extending intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;

a second length portion extending intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first length portion and said second length portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is different in said center portion than at least one of said first length portion and said second length portion.

4. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end; and

a second end, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end, and wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness;

wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises a bottom surface and a tissue-contacting surface, wherein said first end comprises a first height measured between said bottom surface and said tissue-contacting surface, wherein said second end comprises a second height measured between said bottom surface and said tissue-contacting surface, and wherein said second height is taller than said first height.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein the height of said tissue-contacting surface with respect to said bottom surface decreases linearly between said second end and said first end.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein the height of said tissue-contacting surface with respect to said bottom surface decreases geometrically between said second end and said first end.

7. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end;

a second end, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end, and wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness;

a first side portion extending between said first end and said second end;

a second side portion extending between said first end and said second end; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is thicker in said center portion than in said first side portion and said second side portion.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases linearly between said center portion and said first side portion, and wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases linearly between said center portion and said second side portion.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases geometrically between said center portion and said first side portion, and wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases geometrically between said center portion and said second side portion.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said plurality of staples comprises:

a group of first staples, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first staple height is defined between said first base and said first tip;

a group of second staples, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second staple height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second staple height is taller than said first staple height, and wherein said second staples are positioned in said center portion of said implantable cartridge body and said first staples are positioned in said first side portion and said second side portion.

11. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end;

a second end, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end, and wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness;

a first side portion extending between said first end and said second end;

a second side portion extending between said first end and said second end; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is thicker in said first side portion and said second side portion than said center portion.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 11, wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases linearly between said center portion and said first side portion, and wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases linearly between said center portion and said second side portion.

13. The staple cartridge of claim 11, wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases geometrically between said center portion and said first side portion, and wherein said thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases geometrically between said center portion and said second side portion.

14. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of staples; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said plurality of staples are embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end;

a second end;

a first side portion extending between said first end and said second end;

a second side portion extending between said first end and said second end; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is thicker in said center portion than said first side portion and said second side portion.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said plurality of staples comprises:

a group of first staples, wherein each said first staple comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first staple height is defined between said first base and said first tip;

a group of second staples, wherein each said second staple comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second staple height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second staple height is taller than said first staple height, and wherein said second staples are positioned in said center portion of said implantable cartridge body and said first staples are positioned in said first side portion and said second side portion.

16. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of fasteners; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said fasteners are at least partially embedded in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a bottom surface;

a tissue-facing surface;

a first end portion comprising a first height measured between said bottom surface and said tissue-facing surface; and

a second end portion comprising a second height measured between said bottom surface and said tissue-facing surface, and wherein said second height is different than said first height.

17. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein said implantable cartridge body further comprises a longitudinal axis, and wherein the height of said tissue-contacting surface with respect to said bottom surface generally decreases between said second end portion and said first end portion along said longitudinal axis.

18. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein the height of said tissue-contacting surface with respect to said bottom surface decreases linearly between said second end portion and said first end portion.

19. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein the height of said tissue-contacting surface with respect to said bottom surface decreases geometrically between said second end portion and said first end portion.

20. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises:

a group of first fasteners, wherein each said first fastener comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first fastener height is defined between said first base and said first tip; and

a group of second fasteners, wherein each said second fastener comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second fastener height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second fastener height is taller than said first fastener height, and wherein said second fasteners are positioned in said second end portion of said implantable cartridge body and said first fasteners are positioned in said first end portion.

21. The fastener cartridge of claim 20, wherein said implantable cartridge body further comprises an intermediate portion positioned intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion, wherein said plurality of fasteners further comprises a group of third fasteners, wherein each said third fastener comprises a third base and a third deformable leg extending from said third base, wherein an end of each said third deformable leg comprises a third tip, wherein a third fastener height is defined between said third base and said third tip, wherein said third fastener height is taller than said first fastener height and shorter than said second fastener height, and wherein said third fasteners are positioned in said intermediate portion of said implantable cartridge body.

22. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein said implantable cartridge body further comprises:

a first side portion extending between said first end portion and said second end portion;

a second side portion extending between said first end portion and said second end portion;

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is thicker in said center portion than in at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

23. The fastener cartridge of claim 22, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases linearly between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

24. The fastener cartridge of claim 22, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases geometrically between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

25. The fastener cartridge of claim 22, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises:

a group of first fasteners, wherein each said first fastener comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first fastener height is defined between said first base and said first tip;

a group of second fasteners, wherein each said second fastener comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second fastener height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second fastener height is taller than said first fastener height, and wherein said second fasteners are positioned in said center portion of said implantable cartridge body and said first fastener are positioned in at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

26. The fastener cartridge of claim 16, wherein said implantable cartridge body further comprises:

a first side portion extending between said first end portion and said second end portion;

a second side portion extending between said first end portion and said second end portion; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is thinner in said center portion that at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

27. The fastener cartridge of claim 26, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases linearly between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

28. The fastener cartridge of claim 26, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases geometrically between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

29. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a plurality of fasteners; and

an implantable cartridge body, wherein said implantable cartridge body is comprised of a compressible material, wherein said fasteners are at least partially positioned in said compressible material, and wherein said implantable cartridge body comprises;

a first end portion;

a second end portion;

a first side portion extending intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion;

a second side portion extending intermediate said first end portion and said second end portion; and

a center portion positioned intermediate said first side portion and said second side portion, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is different in said center portion than at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

30. The fastener cartridge of claim 29, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is greater in said center portion than at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

31. The fastener cartridge of claim 30, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases linearly between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

32. The fastener cartridge of claim 30, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases geometrically between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

33. The fastener cartridge of claim 29, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body is greater in at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion than said center portion.

34. The fastener cartridge of claim 33, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases linearly between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

35. The fastener cartridge of claim 33, wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body increases geometrically between said center portion and at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

36. The fastener cartridge of claim 29, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises:

a group of first fasteners, wherein each said first fastener comprises a first base and a first deformable leg extending from said first base, wherein an end of each said first deformable leg comprises a first tip, and wherein a first fastener height is defined between said first base and said first tip; and

a group of second fasteners, wherein each said second fastener comprises a second base and a second deformable leg extending from said second base, wherein an end of each said second deformable leg comprises a second tip, wherein a second fastener height is defined between said second base and said second tip, wherein said second fastener height is taller than said first fastener height, and wherein said second fasteners are positioned in said center portion of said implantable cartridge body and said first fasteners are positioned in at least one of said first side portion and said second side portion.

37. The fastener cartridge of claim 29, wherein said compressible material comprises a first thickness at said first end portion, wherein said compressible material comprises a second thickness at said second end portion, and wherein said first thickness is different than said second thickness.

38. The fastener cartridge of claim 37, wherein said second thickness is greater than said first thickness, and wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases linearly between said second end portion and said first end portion.

39. The fastener cartridge of claim 37, wherein said second thickness is greater than said first thickness, and wherein the thickness of said implantable cartridge body decreases geometrically between said second end portion and said first end portion.