Tissue thickness compensator comprising a reservoir

• US 9,232,941 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2012
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• 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: Mandakolathur Vasudevan, Venkataramanan, Henderson, Cortney E., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Aldridge, Jeffrey L., Scheib, Charles J., Yang, Chunlin, Schall, Christopher J., Baxter, Chester O. III, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Contiliano, Joseph H., Widenhouse, Tamara, Korvick, Donna L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US13/433,102
• Publication Number:
  US 20120241497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,385 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821
• 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 17/072 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 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 2017/00327 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 2017/00495 for two-component glue
• 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 2017/00889 : 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 2017/00942 : hydrophilic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 : having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 2017/2908 : 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 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/314 : Flexible bags or pouches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0801 : Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/92 : coded with colour

Abstract

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsorbable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are at least partially positioned in said staple cavities, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and

a plurality of medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator, wherein each said medicament capsule comprises a shell defining an enclosed void, wherein said enclosed void contains a medicament therein, wherein each said medicament capsule is positioned over a said staple cavity, and wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said medicament capsules are crushed within said staples when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein each said medicament capsule comprises a tube.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein each said tube extends along a tube axis, and wherein each said tube axis extends into a said staple cavity.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a slot configured to receive a cutting member therein, and wherein said staple cartridge further comprises at least one second medicament capsule positioned over said slot.

11. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a non-woven material.

12. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a woven material.

13. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a felt material.

5. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are at least partially positioned in said staple cavities, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and

a plurality of medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator, wherein each said medicament capsule comprises a shell, a cavity defined in said shell, and a medicament positioned in said cavity, wherein said shell comprises a through-hole extending into said cavity, and wherein said medicament can flow out of said medicament capsule through said through-hole.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is comprised of gelatin.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said shell is comprised of an absorbable polymer.

14. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a non-woven material.

15. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a woven material.

16. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 5, wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a felt material.

8. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a first row of staple cavities; and

a second row of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are at least partially positioned in said staple cavities, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and

a medicament capsule positioned intermediate said first row of staple cavities and said second row of staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said staples do not puncture said medicament capsule when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions, wherein said medicament capsule comprises a shell at least partially comprised of a bioabsorbable material, wherein said shell defines an enclosed void, and wherein said medicament capsule further comprises a medicament positioned within said shell;

wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a non-woven material.

9. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a first row of staple cavities; and

a second row of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are at least partially positioned in said staple cavities, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and

a medicament capsule positioned intermediate said first row of staple cavities and said second row of staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said staples do not puncture said medicament capsule when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions, wherein said medicament capsule comprises a shell at least partially comprised of a bioabsorbable material, wherein said shell defines an enclosed void, and wherein said medicament capsule further comprises a medicament positioned within said shell;

wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a woven material.

10. A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body, comprising;

a first row of staple cavities; and

a second row of staple cavities;

a plurality of staples, wherein said staples are at least partially positioned in said staple cavities, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;

a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and

a medicament capsule positioned intermediate said first row of staple cavities and said second row of staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said staples do not puncture said medicament capsule when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions, wherein said medicament capsule comprises a shell at least partially comprised of a bioabsorbable material, wherein said shell defines an enclosed void, and wherein said medicament capsule further comprises a medicament positioned within said shell;

wherein said compressible tissue thickness compensator comprises a felt material.

17. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of cavities;

staples removably positioned within some of said cavities;

piercing members removably positioned within some of said cavities, wherein each said piercing member is movable between a unfired position and a fired position when said piercing members are ejected from said cavities; and

a compressible compensator positioned above said deck, wherein said compensator comprises at least one capsule positioned over said piercing members, and wherein said piercing members are configured to pierce said at least one capsule when said piercing members are moved into their fired positions.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 17, wherein each said staple is defined by a staple height, wherein each said piercing member is defined by a piercing height, and wherein said piercing height is shorter than said staple height.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 18, wherein said compressible compensator comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein said piercing members are sized and configured such that said piercing members do not pierce said tissue-contacting surface.

20. The staple cartridge of claim 17, wherein said piercing members are comprised of a bioabsorbable material, and wherein said staples are comprised of stainless steel.

21. The staple cartridge of claim 20, wherein said piercing members further comprise a medicament.