End effector layer including holding features

• US 9,358,005 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2015
• Issued: 06/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schmid, Katherine J, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Morgan, Jerome R., Korvick, Donna L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US14/746,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20150289870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 606/151
• 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 17/064 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 17/30 Surgical pincettes without pivotal connectionsfor holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; wound clamps A61B17/08 ; hand-held gripping tools without pivotal connections in general B25B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• 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 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00991 Telescopic means
• 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 2017/07257 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 2017/2916 : pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 : with flexible part

Abstract

An end effector is disclosed which comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, a staple cartridge, an anvil, and at least one layer positioned intermediate the first jaw and the second jaw. The layer may include a pattern of holding features defined on a tissue contacting surface of the layer. The pattern of holding features can extend between a proximal end of the layer and a distal end of the layer. The pattern of holding features may be defined by a network of interconnected channels skew to a longitudinal axis of the layer. The network of interconnected channels may be configured to mitigate and/or control the flow of patient tissue relative to the layer.

Claims

1. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw including a staple cartridge;

a second jaw including an anvil, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said staple cartridge and said anvil;

a first layer removably attached to said staple cartridge, wherein said first layer includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said first layer is intermediate said first jaw and the tissue;

a first pattern of holding features covering said tissue contact surface of said first layer from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said first pattern of holding features is defined by a first network of interconnected channels skew to said longitudinal axis of said first layer, and wherein said first network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said first layer;

a second layer removably attached to said anvil, wherein said second layer includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said second layer is intermediate said second jaw and the tissue; and

a second pattern of holding features covering said tissue contact surface of said second layer from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said second pattern of holding features is defined by a second network of interconnected channels skew to said longitudinal axis of said second layer, and wherein said second network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said second layer.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said first pattern of holding features is different than said second pattern of holding features.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said first network of interconnected channels comprises a first set of channels intersecting a second set of channels, wherein said first set of channels extend along a first set of axes and said second set of channels extend along a second set of axes, and wherein said first set of axes extend at a first angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said first layer and said second set of axes extend at a second angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said first layer.

4. The end effector of claim 3, wherein said first angle is different than said second angle.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer comprises a medicament.

6. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said first network of interconnected channels comprises an array of capillary channels.

7. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said second pattern of holding features is further defined by a plurality of wells, and wherein said plurality of wells interconnect the channels of said second network of interconnected channels.

8. The end effector of claim 7, wherein said plurality of wells and said second network of interconnected channels are configured to permit a fluid to flow into and out of said second layer such that said fluid contacts an absorbable medicament.

9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said fluid comprises blood.

10. The end effector of claim 1, wherein the channels of said first network of interconnected channels and the channels of said second network of interconnected channels are non-linear.

11. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said second layer further comprises a second layer thickness, and wherein at least one channel of said second network of interconnected channels is defined at a depth into said second layer thickness different than other channels of said second network of interconnected channels to further mitigate said flow of the tissue relative to said second layer.

12. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw including a staple cartridge;

a second jaw including an anvil, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said staple cartridge and said anvil;

a first layer removably attached to said staple cartridge, wherein said first layer includes a longitudinal axis and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said first layer is intermediate said first jaw and the tissue;

a first pattern of holding features, wherein said first pattern of holding features is defined by a first network of interconnected channels transverse to said longitudinal axis of said first layer, and wherein said first network of interconnected channels is configured to control flow of the tissue relative to said first layer;

a second layer removably attached to said anvil, wherein said second layer includes a longitudinal axis and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said second layer is intermediate said second jaw and the tissue; and

a second pattern of holding features, wherein said second pattern of holding features is defined by a second network of interconnected channels transverse to said longitudinal axis of said second layer, and wherein said second network of interconnected channels is configured to control flow of the tissue relative to said second layer.

13. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said first pattern of holding features is different than said second pattern of holding features.

14. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said first network of interconnected channels comprises a first set of channels intersecting a second set of channels, wherein said first set of channels extend along a first set of axes and said second set of channels extend along a second set of axes, and wherein said first set of axes extend at a first angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said first layer and said second set of axes extend at a second angle with respect to said longitudinal axis of said first layer.

15. The end effector of claim 14, wherein said first angle is different than said second angle.

16. The end effector of claim 12, wherein at least one of said first layer and said second layer comprises a medicament.

17. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said first network of interconnected channels comprises an array of capillary channels.

18. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said second pattern of holding features is further defined by a plurality of wells, and wherein said plurality of wells interconnect the channels of said second network of interconnected channels.

19. The end effector of claim 18 wherein said plurality of wells and said second network of interconnected channels are configured to permit a fluid to flow into and out of said second layer such that said fluid contacts an absorbable medicament.

20. The end effector of claim 12, wherein the channels of said first network of interconnected channels and the channels of said second network of interconnected channels are non-linear.

21. The end effector of claim 12, wherein said second layer further comprises a second layer thickness, and wherein at least one channel of said second network of interconnected channels is defined at a depth into said second layer thickness different than other channels of said second network of interconnected channels to further mitigate said flow of the tissue relative to said second layer.

22. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a staple cartridge;

a first layer removably positioned on said staple cartridge, wherein said first layer includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said first layer is intermediate said first jaw and the tissue;

a first pattern of holding features covering said tissue contact surface of said first layer from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said first pattern of holding features is defined by a first network of interconnected channels skew to said longitudinal axis of said first layer, and wherein said first network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said first layer;

an anvil;

a second layer removably positioned on said anvil, wherein said second layer includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a tissue contact surface, and wherein said second layer is intermediate said second jaw and the tissue; and

a second pattern of holding features covering said tissue contact surface of said second layer from said proximal end to said distal end, wherein said second pattern of holding features is defined by a second network of interconnected channels skew to said longitudinal axis of said second layer, and wherein said second network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said second layer.

23. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a staple cartridge;

an anvil;

at least one layer positioned intermediate said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein each layer includes a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a tissue contact surface; and

a pattern of holding features covering a tissue contact surface of a said layer from its proximal end to its distal end, wherein said pattern of holding features is defined by a network of interconnected channels oblique to a longitudinal axis of said layer, and wherein said network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said layer.

24. A stapling assembly, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a staple cartridge;

an anvil;

a layer positioned intermediate said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said layer includes a longitudinal axis and a tissue contact surface; and

an arrangement of holding features, wherein said arrangement of holding features is defined by a network of interconnected channels skew to said longitudinal axis of said layer, and wherein said network of interconnected channels is configured to mitigate flow of the tissue relative to said layer.

25. A stapling assembly, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a staple cartridge;

an anvil;

a layer positioned intermediate said first jaw and said second jaw, wherein said layer includes a longitudinal axis and a tissue contact surface; and

an arrangement of holding features, wherein said arrangement of holding features is defined by a network of interconnected channels transverse to said longitudinal axis of said layer, and wherein said network of interconnected channels is configured to control flow of the tissue relative to said layer.