Staple cartridge comprising a tissue thickness compensator

• US 9,168,038 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2011
• Issued: 10/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Baxter, Chester O. III, Aronhalt, Taylor W., Young, Joseph E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Luan K
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORTIZ, RAFAEL ALFREDO
• Application Number:
  US13/097,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,642 Days
• Field of Search: 206/339, 206/340, 206/343, 206/341, 227/175.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/0643 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 17/0682 for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/105 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 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 2017/00473 : Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• 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 2017/00818 : Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00862 : elastic or resilient for sutures A61B2017/0618
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00884 : enhancing wound closure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00951 : adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 : Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• 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 2017/2916 : pins in guiding slots
• 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 2017/2944 : Translation of jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge can comprise a support portion, a tissue thickness compensator positioned relative to the support portion, and a plurality of fasteners positioned within the support portion and/or the tissue thickness compensator 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 a second jaw, or anvil, can be positioned opposite the first jaw. To deploy the fasteners, a staple-deploying member is advanced through the fastener cartridge to move the fasteners toward the anvil. As the fasteners are deployed, the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the tissue thickness compensator therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between a said unfired position and a said fired position, and wherein each said staple comprises a height when in said fired configuration; and

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein portions of said tissue thickness compensator are configured to be captured within said staples, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers said staple cavity openings when said staples are in said unfired positions, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different said staples, and wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises an uncompressed thickness that is greater than said heights of said staples in said fired configurations.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said portions of said tissue thickness compensator captured within said staples each comprise a compressed thickness that is less than said heights of said staples in said fired configurations.

3. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said portions of said tissue thickness compensator captured within said staples each comprise a compressed thickness that is greater than 50% of said heights of said staples in said fired configurations.

4. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said portions of said tissue thickness compensator captured within said staples comprises a compressed thickness that is less than 50% of said height of said same staple in said fired configuration.

5. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said portions of said tissue thickness compensator captured within said staples comprises a compressed thickness that is greater than 50% of said height of said same staple in said fired configuration.

6. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between a said unfired position and a said fired position, wherein each said staple comprises a deformed height when in said fired configuration, and wherein each said staple comprises;

a base; and

at least one leg extending from said base; and

compressible compensation means for biasing tissue against at least one of said leg and said base, wherein said compressible compensation means at least partially covers said openings when said staples are in said unfired positions, wherein said compressible compensation means is configured to assume different compressed heights within different said staples, and wherein said compressible compensation means comprises an uncompressed thickness that is greater than said deformed heights of said staples.

7. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein said compressible compensation means removably covers said staple cavity openings.

8. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein said compressible compensation means comprises a compressed thickness within each said staple that is less than said deformed heights of each said staple.

9. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein said compressible compensation means comprises a compressed thickness within each said staple that is greater than 10% of said deformed heights of each said staple.

10. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein a portion of said compressible compensation means captured within a said staple comprises a compressed thickness that is less than 50% of said deformed height of said same staple.

11. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 6, wherein a portion of said compressible compensation means captured within a said staple comprises a compressed thickness that is greater than 50% of said deformed height of said same staple.

12. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between a said unfired position and a said fired position, and wherein each said staple comprises;

a base; and

at least one leg extending from said base, wherein said at least one leg is deformable when each said staple is deformed between said unfired configuration and said fired configuration, wherein each said staple defines a deformed height in said fired configuration; and

tissue thickness compensation means for compensating for variations in tissue thickness, wherein said tissue thickness compensation means at least partially covers said openings when said staples are in said unfired positions, wherein said tissue thickness compensation means comprises an uncompressed thickness that is greater than the deformed heights of said staples, and wherein said tissue thickness compensation means is configured to assume different compressed heights within different said staples.

13. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 12, wherein said tissue thickness compensation means removably covers said staple cavity openings.

14. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between a said unfired position and a said fired position, and wherein each said staple comprises a height when in said fired configuration; and

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers said staple cavity openings when said staples are in said unfired positions, wherein portions of said tissue thickness compensator are configured to be captured within said staples when said staples are in said fired configurations, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different said staples, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises an uncompressed thickness that is greater than the heights of said staples in said fired configurations.

15. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 14, wherein said uncompressed thickness of said compressible tissue thickness compensator is at least 110% the height of each said staple in said fired configuration.

16. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 15, wherein said uncompressed thickness of said compressible tissue thickness compensator is less than 200% the height of each said staple in said fired configuration.

17. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 16, wherein said uncompressed thickness of said compressible tissue thickness compensator is 110% to 130% the height of each said staple in said fired configuration.

18. A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein each said staple is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration when each said staple is moved between a said unfired position and a said fired position, and wherein each said staple defines a staple entrapment area when in said fired configuration; and

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers said staple cavity openings when said staples are in said unfired positions, wherein portions of said tissue thickness compensator are configured to be captured within said staple entrapment area of said staples, and wherein said captured portions of said tissue thickness compensator are configured to entirely assume each said staple entrapment area in the absence of tissue.

19. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator captured within each said staple entrapment area assumes 10% to 90% of each said staple entrapment area.

20. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 18, wherein said tissue thickness compensator captured within each said staple entrapment area assumes greater than 50% of each said staple entrapment area.

21. An end effector assembly comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a support portion, wherein said support portion comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein each said staple cavity comprises an opening;

a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each said staple is removably stored within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is deformable between an unformed configuration and a formed configuration;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers said staple cavity openings when said staples are in said unformed configurations, wherein portions of said tissue thickness compensator are configured to be captured within said staples when said staples are in said formed configurations, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different said staples; and

a staple forming surface moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein a gap distance is defined between said cartridge body and said staple forming surface when said staple forming surface is in said closed position, and wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises an uncompressed thickness that is greater than said gap distance.

22. The end effector assembly of claim 21, wherein a staple driver is positioned in each said staple cavity of said cartridge body, wherein each said staple driver comprises a trough configured to support a said staple, and wherein said gap distance is defined between said troughs and said staple forming surface when said staple forming surface is in said closed position.