Releasable tissue thickness compensator and fastener cartridge having the same

• US 9,861,361 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Aronhalt, Taylor W., Vendely, Michael J., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Schellin, Emily A., Reynolds, II, Donald L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stinson, Chelsea
• Application Number:
  US13/763,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 2271801, 2271811
• 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 17/0686 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 17/2909 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 2017/00473 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 2017/0641 : 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 2017/0725 : 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 2017/2908 : Multiple segments connected by articulations
• 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 2017/2923 : 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 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 : Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 : with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: B25C 5/1686 : using pre-loaded cassettes

Abstract

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical end effector. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body, fasteners, and a layer of material releasably secured to the cartridge body. The layer of material can be a tissue thickness compensator. The cartridge body, the fasteners, the tissue thickness compensator and/or the end effector can comprise various features to releasably secure the tissue thickness compensator relative to the cartridge body. For example, the cartridge body can comprise slots, projections, cavities, drivers, locks, and/or keys, the fasteners can comprise barbs, and/or the tissue thickness compensator can comprise mounts and/or connectors.

Claims

1. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of cavities, wherein said plurality of cavities defines a fastener region;

a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said cavity within said fastener region, and wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a proximal most fastener and a distal most fastener;

a lock moveably positioned in a said cavity within said fastener region, wherein said lock is longitudinally positioned between said proximal most fastener and said distal most fastener;

a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to said cartridge body;

a connector extending from said tissue thickness compensator, wherein said lock holds said connector within said fastener region when said tissue thickness compensator is secured to said cartridge body, wherein said lock releases said connector when said tissue thickness compensator is released from said cartridge body, wherein said lock is moveable from a locked positioned to an unlocked position, wherein said lock holds said connector when in said locked position and releases said connector when moved to said unlocked position; and

a key configured to move along at least a portion of said cartridge body within said fastener region during a firing stroke, and wherein said key moves said lock from said locked position to said unlocked position during the firing stroke.

2. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of cavities, wherein said plurality of cavities defines a fastener region;

a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said cavity within said fastener region, and wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a proximal most fastener and a distal most fastener;

a lock moveably positioned in a said cavity within said fastener region, wherein said lock is longitudinally positioned between said proximal most fastener and said distal most fastener;

a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to said cartridge body; and

a connector extending from said tissue thickness compensator, wherein said connector comprises a suture,

wherein said lock holds said connector within said fastener region when said tissue thickness compensator is secured to said cartridge body, and wherein said lock releases said connector when said tissue thickness compensator is released from said cartridge body.

3. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein

said plurality of cavities comprises:

a plurality of fastener cavities positioned within said fastener region, wherein each said fastener is positioned in a said fastener cavity; and

a lock cavity positioned within said fastener region, wherein said lock is positioned in a said lock cavity.

4. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein said lock is moveable from a locked positioned to an unlocked position, wherein said lock holds said connector when in said locked position and releases said connector when moved to said unlocked position.

5. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein said connector extends through said lock when said connector is held by said lock.

6. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said connector is friction fit in said tissue thickness compensator.

7. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, comprising:

a plurality of locks, wherein each said lock is positioned in a said cavity within said fastener region; and

a plurality of connectors extending from said tissue thickness compensator, wherein each said lock holds a said connector within said fastener region when said tissue thickness compensator is secured to said cartridge body, and wherein each said lock releases said connector when said tissue thickness compensator is released from said cartridge body.

8. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein said plurality of cavities comprises:

a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener is positioned in a said fastener cavity within said fastener region; and

a plurality of lock cavities, wherein each said lock is positioned in a said lock cavity within said fastener region.

9. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 8, wherein said plurality of cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows in said cartridge body within said fastener region, wherein said plurality of rows comprises a peripheral row, and wherein said lock cavities are in said peripheral row.

10. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, further comprising an anvil, wherein said anvil comprises a forming surface, wherein said forming surface comprises a plurality of forming pockets, and wherein said cartridge body is pivotable with respect to said anvil.

11. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 2, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises:

a plurality of first fasteners comprising a first unformed height; and

a plurality of second fasteners comprising a second unformed height, wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.

12. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 11, wherein said plurality of first fasteners comprises a first formed height, wherein said plurality of second fasteners comprises a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height.

13. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising;

a plurality of cavities defining a fastener field;

a proximal end; and

a distal end;

a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said cavity within said fastener field, and wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises a first fastener and a second fastener;

a tissue thickness compensator releasably secured to said cartridge body; and

a connector extending from said tissue thickness compensator, wherein said connector comprises a suture, wherein said connector is positioned within said fastener field, and wherein said connector is positioned between said first fastener and said second fastener; and

holding means for holding said connector when said tissue thickness compensator is secured to said cartridge body, wherein said holding means are positioned within said fastener field when said tissue thickness compensator is secured to said cartridge body, and wherein said holding means releases said connector when said tissue thickness compensator is released from said cartridge body.

14. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said holding means comprises a lock.

15. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said holding means is positioned between the proximal end and the distal end.

16. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said plurality of cavities comprises:

a plurality of fastener cavities, wherein each said fastener is positioned in a said fastener cavity within said fastener field; and

a lock cavity, wherein said holding means is positioned in a said lock cavity within said fastener field.

17. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said holding means is embedded in said cartridge body when in an engaged position and is at least partially deployed from said cartridge body when in an unengaged position.

18. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said connector extends through said holding means.

19. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein at least a portion of said connector is friction fit in said tissue thickness compensator.

20. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, further comprising an anvil, wherein said anvil comprises a plurality of forming pockets, and wherein said cartridge body is pivotable with respect to said anvil.

21. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said plurality of fasteners comprises:

a plurality of first fasteners comprising a first unformed height; and

a plurality of second fasteners comprising a second unformed height, wherein said first unformed height is different than said second unformed height.

22. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 21, wherein said plurality of first fasteners comprises a first formed height, wherein said plurality of second fasteners comprises a second formed height, and wherein said first formed height is different than said second formed height.