Method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11801048-B2
Application number	US-202017130898-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 22, 2020
Priority date	Aug 24, 2015
Publication date	Oct 31, 2023
Grant date	Oct 31, 2023

Abstract

A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

First claim

We claim:

1. An apparatus configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, comprising:
(a) a housing extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the housing includes:
(i) a laterally-opposed pair of side surfaces facing each other, and
(ii) a distal surface facing proximally, wherein the side surfaces and the distal surface collectively define a gap, wherein the gap is configured to receive a jaw of the end effector such that the side surfaces confront respective lateral sides of the jaw and such that the distal surface confronts a distal tip of the jaw;

(b) a platform positioned within the gap;
(c) a buttress assembly removably disposed on the platform, wherein the buttress assembly includes:
(i) a buttress body, and
(ii) an adhesive layer disposed over the buttress body; and

(d) an adhesive containment member removably disposed on the adhesive layer,
wherein the distal surface of the housing is positioned distally relative to the buttress assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a U shape.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the side surfaces are configured to contact the respective lateral sides of the jaw when the jaw is received within the gap for laterally aligning the jaw with the buttress assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal surface is configured to contact the distal tip of the jaw when the jaw is received within the gap for longitudinally aligning the jaw with the buttress assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive containment member is configured to maintain the adhesive layer in a fixed position relative to the buttress body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a resilient retainer operable to engage and retain the buttress assembly on the platform.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the resilient retainer is configured to release the buttress assembly from the platform in response to closure of the end effector on the platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the resilient retainer is movable relative to the platform between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the resilient retainer is configured to engage and retain the buttress assembly on the platform, wherein in the second position the resilient retainer is configured to release the buttress assembly from the platform, wherein the resilient retainer is movable from the first position to the second position in response to closure of the end effector on the platform.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the resilient retainer is resiliently biased toward the first position.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the resilient retainer is movable laterally outwardly from the first position to the second position in response to closure of the end effector on the platform.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the adhesive containment member is removable from the adhesive layer when the resilient retainer is in the first position.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the resilient retainer includes at least one of a plurality of arms or a plurality of fins configured to clamp the buttress assembly against the platform in the first position.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to confront the jaw when the adhesive containment member is removed from the adhesive layer and the jaw is received within the gap with the side surfaces confronting the respective lateral sides of the jaw and the distal surface confronting the distal tip of the jaw.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the buttress assembly is oriented such that the buttress body is in direct contact with the platform and such that the adhesive containment member faces outwardly away from the platform.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured to releasably adhere to the jaw in response to closure of the end effector on the platform when the adhesive containment member is removed from the adhesive layer.

Assignees

• Cilag Gmbh Int

Inventors

• Vendely Michael J
• Barton Trevor J
• Harris Jason L
• Scheib Charles J
• Schellin Emily A
• Vulhop Prudence A
• Hall Steven G
• Dalessandro Victoria
• Donners Jackie
• Timmer Mark
• Bezwada Rao S
• Craigwood Aidan
• Hagerman Caroline
• Easter Ashley
• Holtzmann Kathrin
• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Zeiner Mark S

Classifications

• 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

• A61B17/07207 Primary

  the staples being applied sequentially · CPC title

• A61B17/07292

  Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets · CPC title

• A61B42/00

  Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof · CPC title

• A61B50/30

  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 title