Tissue thickness compensator comprising capsules defining a low pressure environment

• US 9,204,880 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Baxter, Chester O. III, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Swayze, Jeffrey S., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Schmid, Katherine J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US13/433,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20130256372A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/180.1, 227/179.1, 227/181.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• 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 17/072 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 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• 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 2017/00561 creating a vacuum
• 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 2017/00889 : antimicrobial, disinfectant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 : pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00898 : expandable upon contact with fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00938 : hydrophobic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00942 : hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/07264 : 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2919 : details of linkages or pivot points
• 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 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 : with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compensator body and at least one vessel contained in the compensator body. The vessel can define an inner cavity which can comprise an inner atmosphere having a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure of the atmosphere surrounding the tissue thickness compensator. In at least one embodiment, the vessel and the compensator body can be maintained in a collapsed state until staples are fired through the vessel. At such point, the vessel can re-expand and apply a biasing force to tissue captured within the staples.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising staple cavities;

staples removably positioned with said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejectable from said staple cavities; and

a compensator comprising a vessel, wherein said vessel defines a sealed inner cavity, wherein said sealed inner cavity contains an inner atmosphere, wherein said inner atmosphere has a pressure less than atmospheric pressure when said vessel is in an unruptured state, and wherein said staples are configured to rupture said vessel when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said compensator is expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration when said vessel is ruptured by said staples.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said vessel is defined by a vessel wall, wherein said vessel wall is circular when said compensator is in said expanded configuration, and wherein said vessel wall is flattened when said compensator is in said collapsed configuration.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body comprises a deck, wherein each said staple cavity defines an opening in said deck, and wherein said compensator is releasably retained to said deck.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said cartridge body comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, and wherein said vessel is aligned with said longitudinal axis.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said cartridge body comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, and wherein said vessel extends in a direction which is traverse to said longitudinal axis.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said vessel is positioned over said staple cavities.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said compensator further comprises a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, and wherein said vessel is positioned intermediate said first sheet of material and said second sheet of material.

9. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said vessel is defined by a vessel wall, and wherein said vessel wall is comprised of an absorbable material.

10. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each said staple is configured to capture at least a portion of said compensator therein when said staples are ejected.

11. The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a medicament releasably contained in said vessel.

12. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said compensator contains an antibiotic.

13. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising staple cavities;

staples removably positioned with said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejectable from said staple cavities; and

a compensator comprising a vessel, wherein said vessel defines a sealed inner cavity, wherein said sealed inner cavity contains an inner atmosphere, wherein said inner atmosphere has a pressure less than atmospheric pressure when said vessel is in an unruptured state.

14. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said vessel is defined by a vessel wall comprised of a bioabsorbable material, and wherein said compensator is expandable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration after said vessel wall has been at least partially bioabsorbed.

15. The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said vessel wall is circular when said compensator is in said expanded configuration, and wherein said vessel wall is flattened when said compensator is in said collapsed configuration.

16. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said cartridge body comprises a deck, wherein each said staple cavity defines an opening in said deck, and wherein said compensator is releasably retained to said deck.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said cartridge body comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, and wherein said vessel is aligned with said longitudinal axis.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said cartridge body comprises a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between said first end and said second end, and wherein said vessel extends in a direction which is traverse to said longitudinal axis.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said vessel is positioned over said staple cavities.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said compensator further comprises a first sheet of material and a second sheet of material, and wherein said vessel is positioned intermediate said first sheet of material and said second sheet of material.

21. The staple cartridge of claim 13, further comprising a medicament releasably contained in said vessel.

22. The staple cartridge of claim 13, wherein said compensator contains an antibiotic.

23. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising staple cavities;

staples removably positioned with said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejectable from said staple cavities; and

a compensator comprising a plurality of vessels, wherein each said vessel defines a sealed inner cavity, wherein each said sealed inner cavity contains an inner atmosphere, and wherein each said inner atmosphere has a pressure less than atmospheric pressure when said vessels are in an unruptured state.

24. The staple cartridge of claim 23, further comprising a medicament releasably contained in said vessels.

25. The staple cartridge of claim 23, wherein said compensator contains an antibiotic.

26. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples removably positioned within said staple cavities; and

a layer comprising an enclosed void, wherein said enclosed void comprises an inner atmosphere, wherein said inner atmosphere comprises a pressure less than atmospheric pressure when said enclosed void is in an unruptured state.

27. The staple cartridge of claim 26, further comprising a medicament releasably contained in said enclosed void.

28. The staple cartridge of claim 26, wherein said layer contains an antibiotic.

29. The staple cartridge of claim 26, wherein said layer further comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

30. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples removably positioned within said staple cavities; and

a layer comprising an enclosed void, wherein said enclosed void defines a sealed inner cavity, wherein said sealed inner cavity comprises an inner atmosphere, wherein said inner atmosphere comprises one of a pressure less than atmospheric pressure and a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure when said enclosed void is in an uncompressed, unruptured state.

31. The staple cartridge of claim 30, further comprising a medicament releasably contained in said enclosed void.

32. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said layer contains an antibiotic.

33. The staple cartridge of claim 30, wherein said layer further comprises a tissue thickness compensator.