Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120080333 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX - A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to one another by a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue therebetween. In various embodiments, each fastener can comprise a base and the distance in which the retention matrix is seated relative to the fastener bases can be selectively determined by a surgeon in order to apply a desired pressure to the tissue. In certain embodiments, each fastener can further comprise a fastener leg and the retention matrix can comprise a first layer configured to engage the fastener legs. The retention matrix can further comprise a second layer mounted to the first layer which can comprise one or more encapsulations containing a medicine therein. The encapsulations can be aligned with retention apertures in the retention matrix such that they can be punctured by the fastener legs. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080480 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CONNECTED RETENTION MATRIX ELEMENTS - A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to each other by a flexible retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue therebetween. The flexible retention matrix can comprise, one, a plurality of retention matrix elements configured to engage the fasteners and, two, a lattice of connectors which connect one or more retention matrix elements. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080485 | FASTENING INSTRUMENT FOR DEPLOYING A FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX - A surgical stapling instrument can comprise, one, a handle comprising an actuator and, two, an end effector comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The end effector can further comprise a first jaw configured to support staples comprising staple legs and, in addition, a second jaw supporting a matrix element opposite the staples, wherein one of the jaws is movable toward the other in order to engage the matrix element with the staple legs. The stapling instrument can further comprise a cam operably coupled with the actuator, wherein the cam is movable along the longitudinal axis to deform the staple legs. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080486 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FASTENER CARTRIDGES - A surgical fastening instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise a first jaw comprising a first cartridge attachment portion and a second jaw comprising a second cartridge attachment portion, and wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw. The surgical fastening instrument can further comprise a first cartridge that is insertable into the first jaw and attachable to the first cartridge attachment portion and, in addition, a second cartridge that is insertable into the second jaw and attachable to the second cartridge attachment portion. In various embodiments, the first cartridge can comprise first fastener portions which are engageable with second fastener portions in the second cartridge. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080487 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND A COVER - A surgical fastening system can comprise a plurality of fasteners, wherein each fastener can comprise, one, a base and, two, a leg extending from the base, wherein each leg can comprise a tip. The fastener system can further comprise a retention matrix comprising a first side facing toward the bases of the fasteners, a second side facing away from the bases of the fasteners, and a plurality of retention members configured to engage the legs. The fastener system can further comprise a cover configured to cover the staple tips, wherein the cover can comprise a sheet of material and/or a plurality of caps. | 04-05-2012 |
20120080503 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX - A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to each other by, one, a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue within the fasteners and, two, an alignment matrix configured to hold the fasteners together before the retention matrix is assembled thereto. In various embodiments, the retention matrix and the alignment matrix can each comprise a tissue-contacting surface configured to compress tissue therebetween. | 04-05-2012 |
20130087599 | DUAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - A surgical stapler includes and end effector configured to receive an upper staple cartridge and a lower staple cartridge. The lower staple cartridge includes staple drivers disposed at a non-perpendicular or oblique angle. The staple drivers may be oppositely angled relative to the perpendicular. The staple drivers may further be coupled to an actuation member that pivots the staple drivers to the perpendicular prior to stapling. The actuation members may be actuated by the firing bar and/or by a wedge sled. The upper staple cartridge may also include angled staple drivers that are pivotable to the perpendicular. The upper staple cartridge and/or the lower staple cartridge may also include staple forming pockets. Alternatively, one staple driver may be perpendicular and second staple driver may be at a non-perpendicular angle. The second staple driver may be actuated into an angled stamped recess. | 04-11-2013 |
20140239036 | JAW CLOSURE FEATURE FOR END EFFECTOR OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, and a closure ring. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw. The second jaw has a proximal end with a first ramped surface and a second ramped surface distal of the first ramped surface. The closure ring is coupled with the second jaw to engage the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw. The closure ring translates from a proximal position to a distal position to engage the first ramped surface of the second jaw and then the second ramped surface of the second jaw. The camming engagement of the closure ring with the first and second ramped surfaces of the second jaw pivots the second jaw toward the first jaw. The closure ring may also provide camming engagement to pivot the second jaw away from the first jaw. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239040 | SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATION LOCK HAVING A DETENTING BINARY SPRING - A apparatus includes a shaft, an end effector, an articulation joint, and a locking feature. The end effector is pivotable from a first position to a second position. The end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis of the shaft in the first position and angled relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in the second position. The articulation joint couples the shaft with the end effector and pivots the end effector from the first position to the second position. The locking feature is coupled with the articulation joint and translates from a proximal position to a distal position. The locking feature locks the articulation joint when the locking feature is in the distal position. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239041 | LOCKOUT FEATURE FOR MOVABLE CUTTING MEMBER OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An end effector for use with a surgical instrument includes a first jaw, a second jaw, a blade assembly, and a lockout assembly. The first jaw removably couples with a staple cartridge. The second jaw is movably coupled with the first jaw. The blade assembly translates relative to the first jaw and includes a first tab. The lockout assembly includes a resilient member that biases the blade assembly to a lockout position. The lockout assembly engages the first tab of the blade assembly in the lockout position to prevent the blade assembly from translating distally relative to the first jaw when a staple cartridge is absent from the first jaw or when a spent staple cartridge is disposed in the first jaw. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239042 | INTEGRATED TISSUE POSITIONING AND JAW ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER - An apparatus includes a body, a shaft in communication with the body, and an end effector in communication with the shaft. The end effector is operable to drive staples through tissue. The end effector comprises an anvil and a cartridge. The anvil is operable to move pivotally relative to the cartridge. The cartridge is positioned to drive staples upwardly toward the anvil. The cartridge comprises a plurality of protrusions operable to prevent lateral rocking of the anvil. The plurality of protrusions is pointed toward the anvil. In some versions, an alignment member and/or a lateral stabilization member may be used between the anvil and the cartridge. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239043 | DISTAL TIP FEATURES FOR END EFFECTOR OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - An apparatus comprises a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector comprises and anvil and a cartridge. A longitudinal axis intersects the distal tip of the anvil when the anvil is in a closed position. The cartridge defines a sight line extending along a distal surface of the cartridge from a first side of the cartridge toward the anvil. The first side of the cartridge is opposite to the anvil. The distal surface of the cartridge is neither parallel to nor perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The sight line intersects the longitudinal axis near the distal tip when the anvil is in the closed position. A segment of the sight line and a segment the longitudinal axis define an angle θ. The angle θ is larger than 90°. | 08-28-2014 |
20140367447 | FASTENER SYSTEM COMPRISING A RETENTION MATRIX AND AN ALIGNMENT MATRIX - A surgical fastener system can comprise a plurality of fasteners which can be connected to each other by, one, a retention matrix which is assembled to the fasteners in order to capture tissue within the fasteners and, two, an alignment matrix configured to hold the fasteners together before the retention matrix is assembled thereto. In various embodiments, the retention matrix and the alignment matrix can each comprise a tissue-contacting surface configured to compress tissue therebetween. | 12-18-2014 |