# US 2013/0153641 A1 · Releasable layer of material and surgical end effector having the same

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- Number: US 2013/0153641 A1
- Document ID: US20130153641A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/763,161
- Filed: 2013-02-08
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2008-02-15
- Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Jeffrey S. Swayze; Katherine J. Schmid
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130153641A1

## CPC

- 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 17/0643: {with separate closing member, e.g. for interlocking with staple}
- 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 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- 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 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/005: {hardenable using external energy source, e.g. laser, ultrasound}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/0053: {Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools}
- A61B 2017/00831: {Material properties}
- A61B 2017/00893: {pharmaceutically effective}
- A61B 2017/00964: {composite}
- A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads}
- 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 2017/07264: {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 2017/2908: {Multiple segments connected by articulations}
- A61B 2017/2919: {details of linkages or pivot points}
- 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 2017/2933: {camming or guiding means}
- A61B 2017/2936: {Pins in guiding slots}
- A61B 2017/2946: {Locking means}
- A61B 2018/00196: {reciprocating lengthwise}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B 2050/314: {Flexible bags or pouches}
- A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself}
- A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector assembly can include a fastener cartridge, a plurality of fasteners, a first connector, a second connector, and a layer of material releasably secured to the fastener cartridge by the first connector and by the second connector. The layer of material can have a mount that extends into a slot or notch in the fastener cartridge between the first connector and the second connector when the layer of material is secured to the fastener cartridge. The layer of material can be a buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator. Further, the layer of material can have a reinforcement feature and/or a scalloped edge around at least a portion of the perimeter thereof.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
a fastener cartridge comprising:
a plurality of cavities; and
a slot;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is positioned in a said cavity;
a first connector and a second connector;
a layer of material releasably secured to said fastener cartridge by said first connector and by said second connector, wherein said fasteners are configured to at least partially capture said layer of material when said fasteners are moved to a fired position, wherein said layer of material comprises a mount, and wherein said mount extends into said slot intermediate said first connector and said second connector when said layer of material is secured to said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said layer of material comprises one of a buttress material or a tissue thickness compensator.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The end effector assembly of claim 1, comprising flex-release means for flexing said mount and releasing said mount from said slot.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The end effector assembly of claim 3, wherein said flex-release means is configured to move along said slot past said mount, and wherein said flex-release means flexes said mount as said flex-release means moves past said mount.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said mount comprises:
a flexible stem; and
a head extending from said flexible stem, wherein said head fits in said slot when said layer of material is secured to said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The end effector assembly of claim 5, comprising a firing element configured to move along said slot past said head, wherein said flexible stem flexes as said firing element moves past said head, and wherein said head is released from said slot when said flexible stem flexes.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The end effector assembly of claim 6, wherein said firing element comprises a cutting edge, and wherein said cutting edge severs said layer of material as said firing element moves along said slot.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The end effector assembly of claim 6, wherein said slot extends longitudinally along said fastener cartridge, and wherein said layer of material comprises a plurality of mounts that extend into said slot when said layer of material is secured to said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The end effector assembly of claim 8, wherein said firing element flexes each of said mounts as said firing element moves past each said mount along said slot.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said mount comprises a longitudinal ridge, and wherein said longitudinal ridge is integrally molded with said layer of material.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The end effector assembly of claim 10, wherein said longitudinal ridge comprises a folded portion of said layer of material.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein said layer of material comprises a reinforcement feature.

### Claim 13

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
a fastener cartridge, comprising:
a plurality of fasteners removably positioned in said fastener cartridge, wherein each said fastener is configured to move from an unfired position to a fired position;
a first notch on a first side of said fastener cartridge; and
a second notch on a second side of said fastener cartridge; and
a layer of material releasably secured to said fastener cartridge, wherein said layer of material is at least partially captured by said fasteners when said fasteners move from said unfired position to said fired position, and wherein said layer of material comprises:
a first mount on a first side; and
a second mount on a second side, wherein said first mount extends into said first notch and said second mount extends into said second notch when said layer of material is secured to said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The end effector assembly of claim 13, comprising a first attachment feature and a second attachment feature, wherein said first attachment feature and said second attachment feature are configured to attach said layer of material to said fastener cartridge, and wherein said first notch and said second notch are intermediate said first attachment feature and said second attachment feature.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The end effector assembly of claim 13, wherein said first mount and said second mount are integrally molded with said layer of material.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The end effector assembly of claim 13, wherein said first notch is positioned on an edge of said fastener cartridge, and wherein said second notch is positioned on an opposite edge of said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The end effector assembly of claim 13, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein said first notch and said second notch intersect said longitudinal slot.

### Claim 18

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
an anvil;
a fastener cartridge comprising:
a deck;
a plurality of cavities defined in said deck; and
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said cavity, and wherein said fasteners are configured to move from an unfired position to a fired position; and
a layer of material releasably secured between said anvil and said fastener cartridge, wherein said fasteners are configured to capture at least a portion of said layer of material when said fasteners move from said unfired position to said fired position, wherein said layer of material comprises a perimeter, and wherein said perimeter comprises a scalloped portion.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The end effector assembly of claim 18, wherein said layer of material comprises one of a buttress material or a tissue thickness compensator.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The end effector assembly of claim 18, wherein said layer of material comprises a reinforcement feature.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The end effector assembly of claim 20, wherein said reinforcement feature comprises a rib extending along a length of said layer of material.

### Claim 22 (depends on 18)

The end effector assembly of claim 18, wherein said layer of material comprises:
a distal portion; and
a mount at said distal portion, wherein said mount extends into a notch in one of said anvil or said fastener cartridge when said layer of material is releasably secured between said anvil and said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 23

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
an anvil;
a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of cavities;
a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in a said cavity;
a notch; and
a layer of material releasably secured between said anvil and said fastener cartridge, wherein said layer of material is configured to be at least partially captured by said fasteners when said fasteners are fired from said fastener cavities, and wherein said layer of material comprises:
a distal portion; and
a mount at said distal portion, wherein said mount fits in said notch when said layer of material is releasably secured between said anvil and said fastener cartridge.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The end effector assembly of claim 23, wherein said mount forms a V-shape.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The end effector assembly of claim 23, wherein said notch is a first notch, wherein the end effector assembly comprises a second notch, wherein said first notch is defined in said anvil and said second notch is defined in said fastener cartridge, and wherein said layer of material comprises:
an anvil surface, wherein said mount is a first mount, and wherein said first mount extends from said anvil surface into said first notch; and
a cartridge surface comprising a second mount, wherein said second mount extends from said cartridge surface into said second notch.