U.S. patent application number 17/712748 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-21 for surgical stapling device with floating staple cartridge.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to John Beardsley, Stanislaw Kostrzewski.
Application Number | 20220225988 17/712748 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006242405 |
Filed Date | 2022-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220225988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beardsley; John ; et
al. |
July 21, 2022 |
SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH FLOATING STAPLE CARTRIDGE
Abstract
A surgical stapling device includes tool assembly having an
anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly including a cartridge
channel and a staple cartridge supported within the cartridge
channel. The cartridge channel has a pair of spaced sidewalls and a
bottom wall. The cartridge assembly includes compression strips
that are supported on upper edges of the side walls and are
positioned to support the staple cartridge. In embodiments, each of
the compression strips includes a connecting portion and the upper
edge of each of the side walls defines a slot that is configured to
receive the connecting portion of a respective compression strip to
secure the compression strip to the side wall of the cartridge
channel. In some embodiments, the tool assembly also includes a
compressible pad that is supported on the bottom wall of the
cartridge channel between the bottom of the cartridge channel and
the staple cartridge.
Inventors: |
Beardsley; John;
(Wallingford, CT) ; Kostrzewski; Stanislaw;
(Newton, CT) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006242405 |
Appl. No.: |
17/712748 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16829379 |
Mar 25, 2020 |
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17712748 |
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15684223 |
Aug 23, 2017 |
10624636 |
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16829379 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/07242
20130101; A61B 2017/07257 20130101; A61B 2017/00862 20130101; A61B
2017/0725 20130101; A61B 2017/07264 20130101; A61B 17/07207
20130101; A61B 2017/07278 20130101; A61B 2017/07271 20130101; A61B
2017/07285 20130101; A61B 2017/00951 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/072 20060101
A61B017/072 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A tool assembly comprising: an anvil assembly having a first
tissue contacting surface; a cartridge assembly coupled to the
anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly between
open and clamped positions, the cartridge assembly including a
cartridge channel and a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge
including a cartridge body, staples, pushers, and an actuation
sled, the cartridge body having a second tissue contacting surface
and defining a cartridge knife slot and a plurality of staple slots
positioned on opposite sides of the knife slot, the staples
received in the staple slots, the cartridge channel having a bottom
wall and spaced side walls that define a recess, the bottom wall
defining a channel knife slot that is longitudinally aligned with
the cartridge knife slot, the staple cartridge received within the
recess, the first tissue contacting surface being in juxtaposed
spaced relation to the second tissue contacting surface when the
tool assembly is in the clamped position; and compression pads
positioned on the bottom wall of the cartridge channel, the
compression pads being formed of a compressible material and
supporting the staple cartridge within the recess of the cartridge
channel to facilitate movement of the staple cartridge within the
recess of cartridge channel, one of the compression pads positioned
on each side of the channel knife slot.
3. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the staple cartridge
includes a staple cartridge support plate secured to a lower end of
the cartridge body, the compression pads positioned between the
staple cartridge support plate and the bottom wall of the cartridge
channel.
4. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein the actuation sled is
movable through the cartridge body of the staple cartridge into
sequential engagement with the pushers to eject the staples from
the staple retention slots.
5. The tool assembly of claim 2, further including compression
strips supported on each of the side walls of the cartridge
channel, the compression strips positioned to engage and support
the staple cartridge.
6. The tool assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the side walls of
the cartridge channel defines a retention slot, each of the
retention slots receiving a portion of one of the compression
strips.
7. The tool assembly of claim 6, wherein the retention slots and
the compression strips have interlocking configurations to fasten
the compression strips within the retention slots.
8. The tool assembly of claim 7, wherein the interlocking
configurations are doe-tail configurations.
9. The tool assembly of claim 2, wherein each of the compression
strips has a supporting portion with a flat surface for supporting
the staple cartridge.
10. The tool assembly of claim 7, wherein the cartridge channel
defines notches that provide access to the retention slots, each of
the notches communicating with at least one of the retention
slots.
11. The tool assembly of claim 9, wherein the staple cartridge
defines shoulders, and the flat surface of the compression strips
support the shoulders of the staple cartridge.
12. A surgical stapling device comprising: a handle assembly; an
elongate body portion having a proximal portion and a distal
portion, the proximal portion secured to the handle assembly; and a
tool assembly supported on the distal portion of the elongate body
portion, the tool assembly including: an anvil assembly having a
first tissue contacting surface; a cartridge assembly coupled to
the anvil assembly to facilitate movement of the tool assembly
between open and clamped positions, the cartridge assembly
including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge, the staple
cartridge including a cartridge body, staples, pushers, and an
actuation sled, the cartridge body having a second tissue
contacting surface and defining a cartridge knife slot and a
plurality of staple slots positioned on opposite sides of the knife
slot, the staples received in the staple slots, the cartridge
channel having a bottom wall and spaced side walls that define a
recess, the bottom wall defining a channel knife slot that is
longitudinally aligned with the cartridge knife slot, the staple
cartridge received within the recess, the first tissue contacting
surface being in juxtaposed relation to the second tissue
contacting surface when the tool assembly is in the clamped
position; and compression pads positioned on the bottom wall of the
cartridge channel, the compression pads being formed of a
compressible material and supporting the staple cartridge within
the recess of the cartridge channel to facilitate movement of the
staple cartridge within the recess of cartridge channel, one of the
compression pads positioned on each side of the channel knife
slot.
13. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, wherein the staple
cartridge includes a staple cartridge support plate secured to a
lower end of the cartridge body, the compression pads positioned
between the staple cartridge support plate and the bottom wall of
the cartridge channel.
14. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, wherein the actuation
sled is movable through the cartridge body of the staple cartridge
into sequential engagement with the pushers to eject the staples
from the staple retention slots.
15. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, further including
compression strips supported on each of the side walls of the
cartridge channel, the compression strips positioned to engage and
support the staple cartridge.
16. The surgical stapling device of claim 15, wherein each of the
side walls of the cartridge channel defines a retention slot, each
of the retention slots receiving a portion of one of the
compression strips.
17. The surgical stapling device of claim 16, wherein the retention
slots have dove-tail configurations, and the compression strips
have dove-tail configurations, the dove-tail configurations of the
compression strips received within the retention slots of the
cartridge channel to fasten the compression strips within the
retention slots.
18. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, wherein each of the
compression strips has a supporting portion with a flat surface
that supports the staple cartridge.
19. The surgical stapling device of claim 18, wherein the cartridge
channel defines notches that provide access to the retention slots,
each of the notches communicating with at least one of the
retention slots.
20. The surgical stapling device of claim 18, wherein the staple
cartridge defines shoulders, and the flat surface of the
compression strips support the shoulders of the staple
cartridge.
21. The surgical stapling device of claim 12, wherein the handle
assembly is in the form of mechanical handle assembly or a powered
handle assembly.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/829,379, filed Mar. 25, 2020, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/684,223, filed
Aug. 23, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,624,636, the disclosure of each
of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Description
[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a surgical stapling
device and, more particularly, to a surgical stapling device
including a tool assembly having a staple cartridge that is
supported on a compressible base to accommodate tissues of
different thicknesses.
2. Background of Related Art
[0003] Surgical stapling devices for ejecting staples to join
tissue or tissue segments in a fast and efficient manner in a
variety of surgical procedures, e.g., anastomoses procedures, are
well known. Surgical stapling devices include a tool assembly
having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge
assembly and the anvil assembly define tissue contact surfaces that
define a tissue gap when the tool assembly is in a clamped
position. The tissue gap is dimensioned to receive tissue of a
given thickness range to effect hemostasis. If the tissue
positioned between the jaws is outside the defined range, either
too thick or too thin, the tissue contact surfaces of the cartridge
and anvil assemblies may not be properly positioned during firing
of the stapling device to provide effective hemostasis. In
addition, if the tissue thickness is misidentified by the clinician
or if the tissue thickness falls near the outer edges of the range
for a given staple size, the likelihood of ineffective hemostasis
is increased.
[0004] Accordingly, a continuing need exists in the suturing arts
for a surgical stapling device that is capable of providing
effective hemo stasis for a greater range of tissue
thicknesses.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one aspect of the disclosure, a cartridge assembly
includes a cartridge channel having a bottom wall and side walls
that define a recess. Each of the side walls has a first end
secured to the bottom wall and a second end spaced from the bottom
wall defining an elongated slot. A staple cartridge defines a
longitudinal axis and includes an upper wall defining a tissue
contact surface and side walls. The upper wall extends radially
outward of the side walls of the staple cartridge to define a
longitudinally extending shoulder that is positioned adjacent to
each of the side walls of the staple cartridge. The staple
cartridge is dimensioned to be received within the recess of the
cartridge channel such that the shoulders of the staple cartridge
rest atop the side walls of the cartridge channel. A compression
strip is supported in each of the elongated slots defined in the
second end of the side walls of the cartridge channel. The
elongated slots and the compression strips are configured to
interlock to secure the compression strips to the cartridge
channel.
[0006] In another aspect of the disclosure, a cartridge assembly
includes a cartridge channel having a bottom wall and side walls
defining a recess, and a staple cartridge defining a longitudinal
axis and supporting a plurality of staples and a plurality of
pushers. The staple cartridge is received within the recess of the
cartridge channel. The staple cartridge has an upper wall defining
a tissue contact surface and a plurality of staple retention slots.
A compression pad is positioned between the bottom wall of the
cartridge channel and the staple cartridge.
[0007] In embodiments, each of the compression strips includes a
connecting portion that is received within the longitudinal
slot.
[0008] In some embodiments, the connecting portion of each of the
compression strips and the elongated slot are dove-tail shaped.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the second end of each of the side
walls of the cartridge channel includes cutouts, the cutouts
intersecting the elongated slot to divide the elongated slot into a
plurality of segments.
[0010] In embodiments, each of the compression strips is formed of
a plurality of segments, and each of the plurality of segments of
the compression strips has a length that corresponds to a length of
one of the plurality of segments of the elongated slots.
[0011] In some embodiments, each of the compression strips is
formed from an elastic material.
[0012] In certain embodiments, the cartridge assembly includes a
support plate and the staple cartridge includes staples and pushers
and defines an open end opposite to the upper wall. The support
plate is supported on the open end of the staple cartridge to
retain the staples and pushers within the staple cartridge.
[0013] In embodiments, the staple cartridge and the support plate
define a gap with the bottom wall of the cartridge channel.
[0014] In some embodiments, a compression pad is positioned in the
gap between the staple cartridge and the bottom wall of the
cartridge channel.
[0015] In certain embodiments, the cartridge channel and the staple
cartridge each define a knife slot, and the compression pad
includes a first half positioned on one side of the knife slots and
a second half positioned on the other side of the knife slots.
[0016] In some embodiments, the compression pad is secured to the
bottom wall of the cartridge channel using an adhesive.
[0017] In embodiments, the compression pad is formed from an
elastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various embodiments of the presently disclosed tool assembly
are described herein below with reference to the drawings,
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a surgical stapling
device including an exemplary embodiment of the presently disclosed
tool assembly in a clamped position;
[0020] FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the tool assembly of
FIG. 1 in an unclamped position with an anvil assembly of the tool
assembly shown in phantom;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a side, perspective, exploded view of a cartridge
assembly of the tool assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
3A-3A;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a channel member of the
cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 3 with compression strips attached
to side walls of the channel member;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the channel member of
the cartridge assembly shown in FIG. 4 with the compression strips
and a compression pad supported on the channel member;
[0026] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 3;
[0028] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 3;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the indicated area of detail
shown in FIG. 8 as the compression strip is attached to the side
wall of the channel member;
[0030] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
10-10 of FIG. 1A;
[0031] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
11-11 of FIG. 10;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
11-11 of FIG. 10 with the tool assembly clamped on relatively thin
tissue;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a side view of a staple of the cartridge assembly
of FIG. 12 after the staple is deformed in thin tissue;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
11-11 of FIG. 10 with the tool assembly clamped on tissue having a
relatively moderate thickness;
[0035] FIG. 15 is a side view of a staple of the cartridge assembly
of FIG. 14 after the staple is deformed in the tissue having a
relatively moderate thickness;
[0036] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line
11-11 of FIG. 10 with the tool assembly clamped on relatively thick
tissue; and
[0037] FIG. 17 is a side view of a staple of the cartridge assembly
of FIG. 16 after the staple is deformed in the relatively thick
tissue.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0038] The presently disclosed surgical stapling device including a
tool assembly with a floating staple cartridge will now be
described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like
reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in
each of the several views. In this description, the term "proximal"
is used generally to refer to that portion of the device that is
closer to a clinician, while the term "distal" is used generally to
refer to that portion of the device that is farther from the
clinician. In addition, the term "endoscopic" is used generally
used to refer to endoscopic, laparoscopic, arthroscopic, and/or any
other procedure conducted through small diameter incision or
cannula. In addition, the term clinician is used generally to refer
to medical personnel including doctors, nurses, and support
personnel.
[0039] The presently disclosed surgical stapling device includes a
tool assembly having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly
including a cartridge channel and a staple cartridge supported
within the cartridge channel. The cartridge assembly includes a
cartridge channel having a pair of spaced sidewalls and a bottom
wall. The cartridge assembly includes compression strips that are
supported on upper edges of the side walls of the cartridge channel
and are positioned to support the staple cartridge. In embodiments,
each of the compression strips includes a connecting portion and
the upper edge of each of the side walls defines a slot that is
configured to receive the connecting portion of a respective
compression strip to secure the compression strips to the side
walls of the cartridge channel. The compression strips allow the
staple cartridge to move or float in relation to the anvil assembly
of the tool assembly to accommodate tissues of different
thicknesses.
[0040] In some embodiments, the tool assembly also includes a
compressible pad that is supported on the bottom wall of the
channel. The staple cartridge is supported on the compressible pad
within the cartridge channel such that the staple cartridge can
move or float within the cartridge channel.
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the presently
disclosed surgical stapling device shown generally as 10. The
stapling device 10 includes a handle assembly 12, a body portion 14
that defines a longitudinal axis "X" and extends from a distal
portion of the handle assembly 12, and a tool assembly 100
supported on a distal portion of the body portion 14. In
embodiments, the handle assembly 12 includes a stationary hand grip
16, a firing trigger 18, a rotation knob 20, and an articulation
lever 22. The firing trigger 18 is actuatable to move the tool
assembly 100 between an unclamped position (FIG. 2) and a clamped
position (FIG. 1A) and to fire the stapling device 10. The
articulation lever 22 is rotatable to pivot the tool assembly 100
in relation to the body portion 14 about an axis transverse to the
longitudinal axis "X". The rotation knob 20 pivotally supports the
body portion 14 and the tool assembly 100 on the distal portion of
the handle assembly 12. Rotation of the rotation knob 20 in
relation to the handle assembly 12 causes corresponding rotation of
the body portion 14 and tool assembly 100 in relation to the handle
assembly 12.
[0042] For a detailed description of a handle assembly 12 including
the firing trigger 18, rotation knob 20, and articulation lever 22,
and other components of the stapling device 10 including the body
portion 14, see U.S. Pat. No. 8,418,904 ("the '904 Patent") which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Although the
presently disclosed tool assembly 100 is illustrated as part of a
manually powered surgical stapling device 10, it is also envisioned
that the tool assembly 100 could be incorporated into a powered
surgical stapling device such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
9,055,943 and 8,806,973 and U.S. Publication No. 2015/0076206 which
are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 2, the tool assembly 100 includes
an anvil assembly 102 and a cartridge assembly 104. A proximal
portion of the anvil assembly 102 is pivotally coupled to a
proximal portion of the cartridge assembly 104 by a pair of pivot
members 105 such that the anvil assembly 102 is pivotal in relation
to the cartridge assembly 104 to move the tool assembly 100 between
an unclamped position (FIG. 2) and a clamped position (FIG. 1A). It
is envisioned that the cartridge assembly could also be pivotally
supported to the anvil assembly 102. Although not shown, the anvil
assembly 102 includes a tissue contact surface that includes a
plurality of staple deforming depressions. See, e.g., the anvil
assembly disclosed in the '904 Patent.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 3, in some embodiments the cartridge
assembly 104 includes a staple cartridge 106 that supports a
plurality of staples 108 and a plurality of pushers 110, a
cartridge channel 112, a staple cartridge support plate 114,
compression strips 116, compression pads 118, and an actuation sled
120. It is envisioned that the cartridge assembly 104 may include
only compression strips 116 or compression pads 118 as discussed in
further detail below. The staple cartridge 106 includes a tissue
contact surface 124 (FIG. 3) that defines a central knife slot
106a, and a plurality of rows of laterally spaced staple retention
slots 124a in the tissue contact surface 124. In embodiments, the
tissue contact surface 124 is stepped downwardly from the central
knife slot 106a towards the outer edge of the staple cartridge 106.
Alternately, the tissue contact surface 124 of the staple cartridge
106 can be planar. Each staple retention slot 124a receives one of
the staples 108 and a respective pusher 110.
[0045] The support plate 114 of the cartridge assembly 104 is
secured to an open, lower end of the staple cartridge 106 opposite
to the tissue contact surface 124 by a snap-fit or other type
connection. The support plate 114 covers the open lower end of the
staple cartridge 106 to retain the staples 108 and pushers 110
within the staple cartridge 106. The staple cartridge 106 also
defines a plurality of longitudinal slots 130 (FIG. 11). The
longitudinal slots 130 communicate with the open, lower end of the
staple cartridge 106 and the staple retention slots 124a to
accommodate the staple pushers 110 and facilitate passage of the
actuation sled 120 through the staple cartridge 106. As known in
the art, advancement of the actuation sled 120 through the staple
cartridge 106 lifts the pushers 110 within the retention slots 124a
to eject the staples 108 from the retention slots 124a . See, e.g.,
the '904 Patent for a detailed description of the operation, and
interaction of the actuation sled 120 and pushers 110.
[0046] The staple cartridge 106 includes opposite sidewalls 132 and
an upper wall 134 that defines the tissue contact surface 124 and
the staple retention slots 124a . The upper wall 134 extends
radially outward of the side walls 132 to define shoulders 136
(FIG. 3A). The staple cartridge 106 also includes protrusions 140
(FIG. 3) that extend radially outwardly of each of the side walls
132 of the staple cartridge 106 and facilitate securement of the
staple cartridge 106 within the cartridge channel 112.
[0047] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge channel 112
includes a bottom wall 144 and spaced side walls 146 that together
define a recess 148 that is dimensioned to receive the staple
cartridge 106 and support plate 114 when the staple cartridge 106
and the support plate 114 are assembled. The bottom wall 144
defines a central longitudinal knife slot 150 that is aligned with
the central knife slot 106a defined in the staple cartridge 106 as
well as a longitudinal knife slot 152 defined by the support plate
114. The knife slots 106a, 150 and 152 are dimensioned to
facilitate passage of a drive member and knife (not shown) through
the staple cartridge 106. See, e.g., the '904 Patent for a detailed
description of an exemplary embodiment of a drive member and knife
of a surgical stapling device.
[0048] Referring also to FIGS. 3 and 6-9, the compression strips
116 are formed of a compressible and/or elastic material. Each of
the compression strips 116 includes a support portion 156 and a
connecting portion 158. In embodiments, the support portion 156 of
each of the compression strips 116 defines a flat surface 156a that
is positioned and configured to support the shoulders 136 of the
staple cartridge 106 (FIG. 3A).
[0049] In embodiments, the spaced side walls 146 of the cartridge
channel 112 each define a retention slot 160 (FIG. 8) that is
configured to receive a connecting portion 158 of the compression
strips 116. In embodiments, the retention slots 160 and the
connecting portions 158 of the compression strips 116 have
interlocking configurations which mate to securely fasten the
compression strips 116 within the retention slots 160. In some
embodiments, the retention slots 160 and the connecting portion of
the compression strips 116 each include have a dove-tail
configuration although other interlocking configurations are
envisioned, e.g., T-shaped slots, etc. The connecting portion 158
of the compression strips 116 are slidably received within the
retention slots 160 to secure the compression strips 116 to the
upper edges of the side walls 146 of the cartridge channel 112. In
addition, adhesives, welding, friction fitting, or the like can be
used to secure the compression strips from moving axially within
the slots 160
[0050] Referring briefly back to FIGS. 4 and 5, the side walls 146
of the cartridge channel 112 each include a plurality of notches
170. The notches 170 provide access to ends of the retention slots
160 at a plurality of locations along the side walls 146 of the
cartridge channel 112 to allow the connecting portions 158 of the
compression strips 116 to be inserted into the retention slots 160
at multiple locations along the side walls 146.
[0051] Referring again to FIGS. 3 to 5, 10 and 11, in embodiments,
the compression pads 118 are supported on the bottom wall 144 of
the cartridge channel 112 between the bottom wall 144 and the
support plate 114 of the cartridge assembly 104 (FIG. 11) on
opposite sides of the knife slot 150. As discussed above regarding
the compression strips 116, the compression pads 118 are formed of
an elastic and/or compressible material and support the staple
cartridge 106 to facilitate movement of the staple cartridge 106 in
relation to the anvil assembly 102 during clamping and firing of
the surgical stapling device 10. In embodiments, the compression
pads 118 include cut outs 118a that provide space for expansion of
the compression pad 118 during firing. Although shown as being
circular, the cut outs 118a can be of any configuration.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 10-13, when thin tissue T1 is clamped
between the tissue contact surface 124 of the staple cartridge 106
and the tissue contact surface 102a of the anvil assembly 102 and
the surgical stapling device 10 is fired, the forces applied to the
compression strips 116 and the compression pads 118 is minimal such
that the compressible strips 116 and pads 118 undergo minimal
deformation or compression. As such, very little movement of the
staple cartridge 106 in relation to the anvil assembly 102 occurs.
Thus, the staple cartridge 106 remains in close relation to the
anvil assembly 102 and the staple 108a (FIG. 13) undergoes
substantial deformation.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, when thicker tissue T2 is
clamped between the tissue contact surface 124 of the staple
cartridge 106 and the tissue contact surface 102a of the anvil
assembly 102 and the surgical stapling device 10 is fired, the
forces applied to the compression strips 116 and the compression
pads 118 increases such that the compressible strips 116 and
compression pads 118 undergo more substantial deformation or
compression. As such, the staple cartridge 106 moves further
downwardly away from the anvil assembly 102 to compensate for the
thicker tissue T2. Thus, the staple cartridge 106 becomes spaced
further from the anvil assembly 102 and the staple 108b undergoes
more substantial deformation.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, when even thicker tissue T3 is
clamped between the tissue contact surface 124 of the staple
cartridge 106 and the tissue contact surface 102a of the anvil
assembly 102 and the surgical stapling device 10 is fired, the
forces applied to the compression strips 116 and the compression
pads 118 increases even further such that the compressible strips
116 and pads 118 undergo even more substantial deformation or
compression. As such, the staple cartridge 106 moves further
downwardly away from the anvil assembly 102 to compensate for the
thicker tissue T3. Thus, the staple cartridge 106 becomes spaced
even further from the anvil assembly 102 and the staple 108b
undergoes even more substantial deformation.
[0055] Although the surgical stapling device 10 is illustrated to
include both compression strips 116 and compression pads 118, it is
envisioned that the surgical stapling device need only include the
strips 116 or the pads 118.
[0056] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the devices
and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments. It is
envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described
in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with
the elements and features of another without departing from the
scope of the present disclosure. As well, one skilled in the art
will appreciate further features and advantages of the disclosure
based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the
disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown
and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.
* * * * *