Surgical stapling device including a buttress retention assembly

#The disclosure relates to surgical stapling devices, and more particularly, to assemblies and methods for detachably securing or retaining a staple line buttress assembly to a surgical stapling device.

#Surgical stapling devices are employed by surgeons to sequentially or simultaneously apply one or more rows of fasteners, e.g., staples or two-part fasteners, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together. When stapling relatively thin or fragile tissues, it is important to effectively seal the staple line against air or fluid leakage. Additionally, it is often necessary to reinforce the staple line against the tissue to inhibit tears in the tissue or pulling of the staples through the tissue. One method of inhibiting tears or pull through involves the placement of a biocompatible reinforcing material or “buttress” material between the staples and the underlying tissue. In this method, a layer of buttress assembly is placed against the tissue and the tissue is stapled in a conventional manner.

#Accordingly, new systems and methods that enable easy and efficient attachment and removal of a buttress assembly to a surgical stapling device would be desirable.

#The above and other aspects and features of this disclosure will become more apparent in view of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling device in accordance with the disclosure;

#FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the indicated area of detail of FIG. 1;

#The surgical stapling device including a buttress retention assembly disclosed herein is described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term “distal” refers to the portion of the device that is being described which is farther from a user in a conventional use of the surgical stapling device, while the term “proximal” refers to the portion of the device that is being described which is closer to a user in a conventional use of the surgical stapling device. In addition, the terms parallel and perpendicular are understood to include relative configurations that are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular up to about + or −10 degrees from true parallel and true perpendicular. Further, to the extent consistent, any or all of the aspects detailed herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects detailed herein.

#With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is provided a surgical stapling device 200 for use in stapling tissue and applying a layer of buttress material 310 between staples and underlying tissue. The layer of buttress material 310 is configured to reinforce and seal staple lines applied to tissue by the surgical stapling device 200. The surgical stapling device 200 generally includes a handle 202 and an elongate tubular member 204 extending distally from the handle 202. A reload 106 is removably coupled to a distal end 105 of the elongate tubular member 204. The reload 106 includes a shaft portion 109 and a tool assembly 107 supported on the shaft portion 109. The tool assembly 107 includes first jaw member 108 and a second jaw member 110 that is movable in relation to the first jaw member 108 between an open configuration for positioning tissue between the first and second jaw members 108, 110 and a closed configuration for clamping tissue between the first and second jaw members 108, 110 and subsequently stapling tissue. The first jaw member 108 supports an anvil 111 and the second jaw member 110 releasably supports a staple cartridge 112. The buttress material 310 is mounted on the staple cartridge 112, as will be described. In order to secure the staples provided by the staple cartridge 112 to tissue and the buttress material 310, the anvil 111 is provided with longitudinally arranged rows of staple clinching or forming pockets (not shown). It is envisioned that the tool assembly 107 may be coupled to a mechanical or motorized handle, and the staple cartridge 112 may be removable and replaceable. It is also envisioned that the reload 106 may be part of a robotic surgical system.

#With continued reference to FIG. 1, the surgical stapling device 200 includes a stationary grip 222 and a rotation knob assembly 234. Buttons 26a, 26b on the stationary grip 222 of the handle 202 allow for actuation of the tool assembly 107. When the button 26a is pressed, the tool assembly 107 is transitioned from the open configuration to the closed configuration and subsequently actuates the surgical stapling device 200 to apply lines of staples to tissue. When the button 26b is pressed, a firing mechanism of the surgical stapling device 200 is retracted and the tool assembly 107 is transitioned from the closed configuration to the open configuration. In order to provide proper orientation of the tool assembly 107 relative to tissue to be stapled, the surgical stapling device 200 is additionally provided with the rotation knob assembly 234 mounted on the handle 202. Rotation of the rotation knob assembly 234 about a longitudinal axis “A-A” of the surgical stapling device 200 rotates the tool assembly 107 about the longitudinal axis “A-A.” The surgical stapling device 200 is illustrated as an electrically powered stapling device including the electrically powered handle 202 that may support one or more batteries (not shown). Examples of electrically powered surgical stapling devices can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,055,943 and 9,023,014. In addition, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 9,717,498, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, for a detailed discussion of the construction and operation of the surgical stapling device 200.