End effector with implantable layer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10064624-B2
Application number	US-201414549219-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 20, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2010
Publication date	Sep 4, 2018
Grant date	Sep 4, 2018

Abstract

An end effector for stapling patient tissue is disclosed. The end effector comprises a frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a plurality of staples, a firing system configured to implant the staples into the patient tissue, an implantable layer comprising a tissue-contacting surface and a support surface, and an array of securement members extending above and below the support surface of the implantable layer. The securement members are detached from the frame concurrently with the firing system being actuated to implant the staples.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, said end effector comprising:
a frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of staples;
a firing system configured to implant said staples into the patient tissue;
an implantable layer comprising a tissue-contacting surface and a support surface; and
an array of securement members extending above and below said support surface of said implantable layer, wherein said securement members are detached from said frame concurrently with said firing system being actuated to implant said staples.

2. The end effector of claim 1 , further comprising a cutting member movable from said proximal end toward said distal end to transect the patient tissue.

3. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said firing system comprises:
staple supports which support said staples when said firing system is actuated; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein a first distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil prior to said firing system being actuated, and wherein a second distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil after said firing system has been actuated which is different than said first distance.

4. The end effector of claim 1 , wherein said staples comprise:
a first longitudinal row of first staples having a first unfired height; and
a second longitudinal row of second staples having a second unfired height which is different than said first unfired height.

5. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, said end effector comprising:
a frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of staples;
a firing system configured to implant said staples into the patient tissue;
an implantable layer comprising a tissue-contacting surface and a bottom surface; and
a plurality of retainers extending above and below said bottom surface of said implantable layer, wherein said retainers are released from said frame when said firing system is actuated to implant said staples.

6. The end effector of claim 5 , further comprising a cutting member movable from said proximal end toward said distal end to transect the patient tissue.

7. The end effector of claim 5 , wherein said firing system comprises:
staple supports which support said staples when said firing system is actuated; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein a first distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil prior to said firing system being actuated, and wherein a second distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil after said firing system has been actuated which is different than said first distance.

8. The end effector of claim 5 , wherein said staples comprise:
a first longitudinal row of first staples having a first unfired height; and
a second longitudinal row of second staples having a second unfired height which is different than said first unfired height.

9. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, said end effector comprising:
a frame comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of staples;
a firing system configured to implant said staples into the patient tissue;
an implantable layer comprising a tissue-contacting surface and a bottom surface; and
a plurality of securement members extending above and below said bottom surface of said implantable layer, wherein said securement members are mechanically disrupted when said firing system is actuated to implant said staples.

10. The end effector of claim 9 , further comprising a cutting member movable from said proximal end toward said distal end to transect the patient tissue.

11. The end effector of claim 9 , wherein said firing system comprises:
staple supports which support said staples when said firing system is actuated; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein a first distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil prior to said firing system being actuated, and wherein a second distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil after said firing system has been actuated which is different than said first distance.

12. The end effector of claim 9 , wherein said staples comprise:
a first longitudinal row of first staples having a first unfired height; and
a second longitudinal row of second staples having a second unfired height which is different than said first unfired height.

13. An end effector for stapling patient tissue, said end effector comprising:
a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of staples, comprising:
a first longitudinal row of first staples having a first unfired height; and
a second longitudinal row of second staples having a second unfired height which is different than said first unfired height;

a firing system configured to implant said staples into the patient tissue;
an implantable layer comprising a cartridge-facing surface; and
a plurality of retainers extending above and below said cartridge-facing surface of said implantable layer which are mechanically disrupted when said firing system is actuated to implant said staples.

14. The end effector of claim 13 , further comprising a cutting member movable from said proximal end toward said distal end to transect the patient tissue.

15. The end effector of claim 13 , wherein said firing system comprises:
staple supports which support said staples when said firing system is actuated; and
an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein a first distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil prior to said firing system being actuated, and wherein a second distance is defined between said staple supports and said anvil after said firing system has been actuated which is different than said first distance.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Young Joseph E
• Aronhalt Taylor W
• Baxter Iii Chester O

Classifications

• A61B17/0643

  with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple · CPC title

• A61B17/068 Primary

  Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) · CPC title

• A61B2017/00327

  with actuating members moving in opposite directions · CPC title

• A61B2090/037

  with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter · CPC title

• A61B2017/2923

  Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion · CPC title