Stapling assembly for forming different formed staple heights

• US 9,757,130 B2
• Filed: 03/12/2014
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US14/206,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20140191014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 2271801, 606139, 606219
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32053 Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695; for use on the cornea A61F9/007
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• 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 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 : Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• 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 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/0292 : with the objects to be stapled together introduced perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the tool in an opening formed by an anvil and a plunger
• CPC Class Codes: F04C 2270/041 : Controlled or regulated

Abstract

A surgical stapling assembly can include a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a firing system configured to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The firing system can include a firing member configured to relatively position the anvil and the staple cartridge.

Claims

1. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said cartridge further comprises a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises;

a first tissue-supporting surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first tissue-supporting surface;

a second tissue-supporting surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second tissue-supporting surface; and

a sloped wall defined between said first tissue-supporting surface and said second tissue-supporting surface;

a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said first staple comprises;

a first base comprising a first bottom surface;

a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;

a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises;

a second base comprising a second bottom surface;

a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip;

a planar anvil comprising forming pockets, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil; and

a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, wherein said first portion comprises a first pin and a second pin extending horizontally from said first portion, wherein said anvil comprises a first slot comprising a T-shaped opening configured to receive said first pin and said second pin of said firing member, wherein said T-shaped opening behind said forming pockets corresponding to said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said cartridge comprises a second slot configured to receive said second portion of said firing member, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

2. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height.

3. The end effector of claim 1, wherein

said first tissue-supporting surface is positioned vertically above said second tissue-supporting surface.

4. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said cartridge further comprises a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

5. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said plurality of drivers comprises a first longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said first staples and a second longitudinal row of staple supports configured to support said second staples, wherein said drivers are movable between an unlifted position and a lifted position, and wherein one of said first longitudinal row of staple supports and said second longitudinal row of staple supports is positioned closer to said anvil when said drivers are in said unlifted position.

6. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

7. The end effector of claim 1, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

8. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said cartridge further comprises a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises;

a first tissue-supporting surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first tissue-supporting surface;

a second tissue-supporting surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second tissue-supporting surface; and

a ramped wall defined between said first tissue-supporting surface and said second tissue-supporting surface;

a first staple removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said first staple comprises;

a first base comprising a first bottom surface;

a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;

a second staple removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein said second staple comprises;

a second base comprising a second bottom surface;

a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip;

an anvil comprising a non-stepped tissue-engagement surface and forming pockets, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first staple to a first deformed height and said second staple to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height comprises the overall height of the first staple in its fully deformed configuration, wherein said second deformed height comprises the overall height of the second staple in its fully deformed configuration;

a staple driver system configured to lift said first staple and said second staple toward said anvil; and

a firing member configured to lift said staple driver system toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, wherein said anvil further comprises a longitudinal slot including a first lateral portion extending at least partially behind a first longitudinal row of said forming pockets and a second lateral portion extending at least partially behind a second longitudinal row of said forming pockets, wherein said first portion of said firing member comprises a first cam sized to be received within said first lateral portion and a second cam sized to be received within said second lateral portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.

9. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height.

10. The end effector of claim 8,

wherein said first tissue-supporting surface is positioned vertically above said second tissue-supporting surface.

11. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said first portion and said second portion of said firing member define a distance therebetween configured to establish a distance between said anvil and said deck.

12. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said firing member comprises a knife edge.

13. The end effector of claim 8, wherein said firing member comprises at least one inclined surface configured to lift said drivers toward said anvil.

14. An end effector for fastening tissue, comprising:

a cartridge comprising a plurality of staple cavities, wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a first longitudinal row of staple cavities, a second longitudinal row of staple cavities, and a deck configured to support tissue, and wherein said deck comprises;

a first tissue-supporting surface, wherein said first longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said first tissue-supporting surface;

a second tissue-supporting surface, wherein said second longitudinal row of staple cavities is defined in said second tissue-supporting surface; and

an inclined wall defined between said first tissue-supporting surface and said second tissue-supporting surface;

a plurality of first staples removably stored within said first longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said first staple comprises;

a first base comprising a first bottom surface;

a pair of first legs extending from said first base, wherein said first legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said first leg comprises a first tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a first preformed height measured between said first bottom surface and said first tip;

a plurality of second staples removably stored within said second longitudinal row of staple cavities, wherein each said second staple comprises;

a second base comprising a second bottom surface;

a pair of second legs extending from said second base, wherein said second legs extend in directions which are not parallel to each other, and wherein each said second leg comprises a second tip configured to pierce tissue; and

a second preformed height measured between said second bottom surface and said second tip, wherein said second preformed height is different than said first preformed height;

an anvil comprising a planar tissue-engagement surface and forming pockets, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first staples to a first deformed height and said second staples to a second deformed height, wherein said first deformed height is different than said second deformed height;

a plurality of staple drivers, wherein said staple drivers are configured to lift said first staples and said second staples toward said anvil; and

a firing member configured to lift said staple drivers toward said anvil, wherein said firing member comprises a first portion configured to engage said anvil and a second portion configured to engage said cartridge, wherein said anvil further comprises a longitudinal slot including a lateral portion extending behind a longitudinal row of said forming pockets, wherein said first portion of said firing member comprises a camming member configured to be received within said lateral portion, and wherein said firing member is configured to relatively position said anvil and said cartridge.