US 10,765,426 B2 · Systems for coupling adjuncts to an end effector

Abstract

An adjunct loading system is provided that can include at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to first and second jaws of an end effector. The loading system can also include a supporting member configured to releasably retain the adjunct material. The loading system can further include an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon application of heat when the adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the jaw to retain the adjunct material on the jaw. The adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member when load is applied thereto. The adhesive depot can be in the form of an adhesive feature formed on a polymer attachment layer or in the form of reservoirs in the supporting member.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A loading system comprising:

at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to one of a first and a second jaw of an end effector, the first and second jaws being configured to clamp tissue therebetween;
a polymer layer coupled to a jaw-facing surface of the at least one adjunct material;
a supporting member configured to releasably retain the at least one adjunct material;
and an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon an application of heat, when the at least one adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the one of the first and the second jaw, to retain the at least one adjunct material on the one of the first and the second jaw, wherein the adhesive depot comprises a plurality of individual protrusions formed on a surface of the polymer layer facing one of the first and second jaw and comprising the adhesive.

1 more element

A loading system comprising:

at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to one of a first and a second jaw of an end effector and comprising a plurality of openings, the first and second jaws being configured to clamp tissue therebetween;
a supporting member configured to releasably retain the at least one adjunct material;
and an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon an application of heat, when the at least one adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the one of the first and the second jaw, to retain the at least one adjunct material on the one of the first and the second jaw, wherein the adhesive depot comprises a plurality of reservoirs formed in the supporting member and each releasably holding the adhesive, wherein the adhesive is configured to flow via one or more openings of the plurality of openings.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems for coupling adjuncts to an end effector

Life of this patent

Systems for coupling adjuncts to an end effector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12