Anvil layer attached to a proximal end of an end effector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018250001-A1
Application number	US-201715853306-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 22, 2017
Priority date	Sep 30, 2010
Publication date	Sep 6, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

An anvil-attachable layer for use with a surgical stapler, or fastening instrument, wherein a proximal end portion of the layer is attached to a staple cartridge assembly, for example. The layer may be attached to the staple cartridge assembly by an adhesive, weld, or a staple-cartridge-based clamp, wherein the attachment is weak enough to allow the layer to pull away from the staple cartridge assembly with stapled tissue. Alternatively, the layer can include two or more lateral slits that define a connector region that can be cut by a knife of a surgical stapler to release the layer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A staple cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge channel configured to receive said staple cartridge, an anvil arranged relative to the staple cartridge channel, and a cutting blade that is movable along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end of the end effector toward a distal end of the end effector, wherein at least one of the staple cartridge channel and the anvil is moveable relative to the other, and wherein the anvil includes a staple forming surface facing the staple cartridge channel, said staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities; a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities, wherein said cartridge body defines a proximal end portion; a layer configured to be arranged relative to a surface of the anvil of the end effector, said layer comprising a proximal end portion; and attachment means for attaching said proximal end portion of said first layer to said staple cartridge.

2 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said layer is a first layer, wherein said cartridge body further comprises a staple deck, wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a second layer arranged relative to said staple deck, and wherein said staple deck is configured to face the anvil when said staple cartridge is installed in the end effector.

3 . The staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

4 . The staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises a meltable region of said proximal end portion of said first layer and a meltable region of said second layer.

5 . The staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises an adhesive adhering to said proximal end portion of said first layer to said second layer.

6 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said attachment means comprises at least one clip configured to retain said proximal end portion of said first layer to said cartridge body.

7 . ple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said attachment means comprises a meltable region of said proximal end portion of said first layer that is meltable onto said proximal end portion of said cartridge body.

8 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said attachment means comprises an adhesive adhering at least a region of said proximal end portion to said proximal end portion of said cartridge body.

9 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral side and a second lateral side opposing said first lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a midline between said first lateral side and said second lateral side, wherein said first layer comprises a first lateral slit arranged distally relative to said proximal end portion of said first layer and extending from said first lateral side past said midline and toward said second lateral side, and wherein said first layer comprises a second lateral slit arranged distally relative to said first lateral slit and extending from said second lateral side past said midline and toward said first lateral side, and wherein said first lateral slit and said second lateral slit define a connector portion of said first layer connected to said proximal end portion of said first layer and a remaining portion of said first layer.

10 . The staple cartridge of claim 9 , wherein said connector portion of said first layer is configured to be cut by the cutting blade of the end effector.

11 . A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and for stapling the tissue of a patient, said staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body positionable relative to a first side of the patient tissue; a plurality of staples at least partially stored within said cartridge body, wherein said staples are movable between an unfired position and a fired position to penetrate the first side and a second side of the patient tissue; and a layer, comprising:
a first portion releasably attached to said cartridge body; and
a second portion movable relative to said first portion, wherein said second portion is configured to be positioned on the second side of the patient tissue.

12 . The staple cartridge of claim 11 , wherein said second portion is unattached to said cartridge body.

13 . The staple cartridge of claim 11 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a deck, and wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a second layer positioned against said deck.

14 . The staple cartridge of claim 13 , wherein said second layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

15 . The staple cartridge of claim 11 , further comprising a clamp portion configured to releasably hold said first portion of said layer to said cartridge body.

16 . A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and for stapling the tissue of a patient, said staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body positionable relative to a first side of the patient tissue; a first layer positioned over said cartridge body, wherein said first layer is also positionable relative to the first side of the patient tissue; a plurality of staples at least partially stored within said cartridge body, wherein said staples are movable between an unfired position and a fired position to penetrate the first layer, the first side of the patient tissue, and a second side of the patient tissue; and a second layer, comprising:
an attachment portion releasably attached to said first layer; and
a second portion movable relative to said attachment portion, wherein said second portion is configured to be positioned on the second side of the patient tissue.

17 . The staple cartridge of claim 16 , wherein said second portion is unattached to said first layer.

18 . The staple cartridge of claim 16 , wherein said first layer comprises a tissue thickness compensator.

19 . The staple cartridge of claim 16 , further comprising a clamp portion configured to releasably hold said second layer to said first layer.

Assignees

• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Aronhalt Taylor W
• Smith Bret W
• Schmid Katherine J
• Swayze Jeffrey S
• Henderson Cortney E
• Scheib Charles J
• Shelton Iv Frederick E

Classifications

• A61B2017/00314

  Separate linked members · CPC title

• A61B2017/07278

  characterised by its sled or its staple holder · CPC title

• A61B2017/07271

  characterised by its cartridge · CPC title

• A61B2017/00951

  adhesive · CPC title

• A61B2017/2927

  the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft · CPC title