# US 11,298,125 B2 · Tissue stapler having a thickness compensator

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- Number: US 11,298,125 B2
- Document ID: US11298125B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/691,905
- Filed: 2019-11-22
- Published: 2020-08-06
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2010-09-30
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Xintian Ming; Thomas W. Huitema; Stephen J. Rothenburger; Frederick E. Shelton, IV
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298125B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/0643: {with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple}
- A61B 17/00234: {for minimally invasive surgery (A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/00491: {Surgical glue applicators}
- A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue}
- A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position}
- A61B 17/068: 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})
- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets}
- A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)}
- A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples}
- A61B 17/2909: {Handles}
- A61B 90/92: coded with colour
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 50/30: 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)
- A61B 2017/00004: {(bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable or resorptive}
- A61B 2017/003: {Steerable}
- A61B 2017/00314: {Separate linked members}
- A61B 2017/00327: {with actuating members moving in opposite directions}
- A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00495: {for two-component glue}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/0053: {Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools}
- A61B 2017/00818: {Treatment of the gastro-intestinal system}
- A61B 2017/00862: {elastic or resilient}
- A61B 2017/00884: {enhancing wound closure}
- A61B 2017/00889: {antimicrobial, disinfectant}
- A61B 2017/00893: {pharmaceutically effective}
- A61B 2017/00898: {expandable upon contact with fluid}
- A61B 2017/00942: {hydrophilic}
- A61B 2017/0641: {having at least three legs as part of one single body}
- A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads}
- A61B 2017/07221: {curved}
- A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples}
- A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials}
- A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes}
- A61B 2017/0725: {with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots}
- A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil}
- A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder}
- A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter}
- A61B 2017/2902: {characterized by features of the actuating rod}
- A61B 2017/2908: {Multiple segments connected by articulations}
- A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2919: {details of linkages or pivot points}
- A61B 2017/292: {connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess}
- A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2931: {with releasable head}
- A61B 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means}
- A61B 2017/2936: {Pins in guiding slots}
- A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means}
- A61B 2017/320052: {Guides for cutting instruments}
- A61B 2050/3008: {having multiple compartments}
- A61B 2050/314: {Flexible bags or pouches}
- A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter}
- A61B 2090/0801: {Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking}
- A61B 2090/0807: {Indication means}
- A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument}
- A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler. The assembly has a cartridge body having a support portion with a plurality of staple cavities with openings. There is also a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each the staple is removably stored within a staple cavity. Each the staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration. The assembly also includes a compressible tissue thickness compensator configured to be captured within the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers the staple cavity openings. The compressed tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator comprising a lyophilized foam having an anti-microbial agent embedded therein.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge deck;
projections extending from said deck;
staple cavities defined in said cartridge deck;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises staple legs;
staple drivers configured to push said staples out of said staple cavities;
a sled comprising a plurality of ramps configured to engage said staple drivers during a firing stroke;
a longitudinal slot defined within said staple cartridge, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive a firing member to advance said sled through said firing stroke; and
an adjunct configured on said cartridge deck, wherein said adjunct comprises:
a body portion extending over said staple cavities; and
bumps extending over said staple legs.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said bumps are configured to receive said staples when said staples are in an unfired configuration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said bumps comprise a first lateral end having a first height and a second lateral end having a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said bumps comprise a pyramidal shape.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The staple cartridge of claim 1, further comprising said firing member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said bumps are captured within said staples when said staples are deformed into a deformed configuration.

### Claim 7

A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge deck;
a longitudinal slot within said staple cartridge and configured to receive a firing member, wherein the firing member moves within said staple cartridge during a firing stroke;
staple cavities defined in said deck;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
staple drivers configured to support said staples within said staple cavities;
a sled comprising a plurality of ramps configured to engage said staple drivers; and
a tissue thickness compensator supported over said cartridge deck, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises:
a body portion; and
upwardly-extending bumps, wherein said bumps are configured to engage tissue in order to limit movement between the tissue and said body portion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said bumps are configured to receive said staples when said staples are in an unfired position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said bumps are captured within said staples when said staples are deformed into a deformed configuration.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein said bumps comprise a first lateral end having a first height and a second lateral end having a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein said bumps comprise teeth and gaps between said teeth.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said bumps comprise a pyramidal shape.

### Claim 13

A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
a cartridge deck;
projections extending from said deck;
staple cavities defined in said cartridge deck;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises staple legs;
staple drivers configured to push said staples out of said staple cavities;
a sled comprising a plurality of ramps configured to engage said staple drivers during a firing stroke;
a longitudinal slot defined within said staple cartridge, wherein said longitudinal slot is configured to receive a firing member to advance said sled through said firing stroke; and
an adjunct configured on said cartridge deck, wherein said adjunct comprises:
a body portion extending over said staple cavities; and
bumps extending over said staple legs.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The staple cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said bumps are configured to receive said staples when said staples are in an unfired configuration.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The staple cartridge assembly of claim 13, wherein said bumps comprise a pyramidal shape.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The staple cartridge assembly of claim 13, further comprising said firing member.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The staple cartridge assembly of claim 13 wherein said bumps are captured within said staples when said staples are deformed into a deformed configuration.

### Claim 18 (depends on 14)

The staple cartridge assembly of claim 14, wherein said bumps comprise a first lateral end having a first height and a second lateral end having a second height, and wherein said first height is different than said second height.