# US 2016/0256159 A1 · Jaw members and methods of manufacture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0256159 A1 - Document ID: US20160256159A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/639,338 - Filed: 2015-03-05 - Published: 2016-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-05 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: VENKATA RAMANA MOHAN PINJALA; RAJASEKHAR NUKALA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160256159A1 ## CPC - 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} - B29C 65/08: using ultrasonic vibrations {(non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645)} - B29C 65/7802: {Positioning the parts to be joined, e.g. aligning, indexing or centring} - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/00955: {thermoplastic} - A61B 2017/00964: {composite} - A61B 2017/07221: {curved} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/2945: {Curved jaws} - B29K 2071/00: Use of polyethers {, e.g. PEEK, i.e. polyether-etherketone or PEK, i.e. polyetherketone or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29L 2031/7546: {Surgical equipment} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument includes an anvil plate and an anvil cover each being fabricated from a thermoplastic material. The anvil plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of beads disposed along a periphery thereof. The anvil cover is configured to be coupled to a distal end of the surgical stapling instrument. The anvil cover includes a surface having at least one elongate surface feature disposed along a periphery thereof. The beads of the anvil plate and the elongate surface feature of the anvil cover are configured for abutting engagement upon assembly thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument comprising: an anvil plate fabricated from a thermoplastic material and having a knife channel defined longitudinally therethrough, the anvil plate including: a first surface having a plurality of beads disposed along a periphery thereof; and a second surface opposite the first surface; and an anvil cover fabricated from a thermoplastic material and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the surgical stapling instrument, the anvil cover including a surface having at least one elongate surface feature disposed along a periphery thereof, wherein the plurality of beads of the anvil plate and the at least one elongate surface feature of the anvil cover are configured for abutting engagement upon assembly thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one bead of the plurality of beads has a triangular configuration. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elongate surface feature has a triangular transverse cross section configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is polyetheretherketone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein an end of the anvil plate and an end of the anvil cover each define an opening therethrough such that upon assembly of the anvil plate with the anvil cover, the openings are in overlapping alignment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anvil plate further includes a pair of posts extending perpendicularly from an end of the second surface thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The anvil assembly according to claim 6, wherein the anvil plate further includes a pair of biasing members engaged to the pair of posts. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anvil plate further includes a wall extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the first surface of the anvil plate. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The anvil assembly according to claim 1, wherein the anvil plate has an arcuate configuration. ### Claim 10 An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument comprising: an anvil assembly including: an anvil plate fabricated from a thermoplastic material and having a knife channel defined longitudinally therethrough, the anvil plate including: a first surface having a plurality of beads disposed along a periphery thereof; and a second surface opposite the first surface; and an anvil cover fabricated from a thermoplastic material and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the surgical stapling instrument, the anvil cover including a surface having at least one elongate surface feature disposed along a periphery thereof, wherein the plurality of beads of the anvil plate and the at least one elongate surface feature of the anvil cover are configured for abutting engagement upon assembly thereof; and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the anvil assembly or the cartridge assembly is movable relative to the other between a spaced position and an approximated position to engage and staple tissue therebetween. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein at least one bead of the plurality of beads has a triangular configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the at least one elongate surface feature has a triangular transverse cross section configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the thermoplastic material is polyetheretherketone. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein an end of the anvil plate and an end of the anvil cover each define an opening therethrough such that upon assembly of the anvil plate with the anvil cover, the openings are in overlapping alignment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the anvil plate further includes a pair of posts extending perpendicularly from an end of the second surface thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The end effector according to claim 15, wherein the anvil plate further includes a pair of biasing members engaged to the pair of posts. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the anvil plate further includes a wall extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the first surface of the anvil plate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The end effector according to claim 10, wherein the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly have an arcuate configuration. ### Claim 19 A method of manufacturing an anvil assembly of a surgical stapling instrument, the method comprising: providing an anvil plate fabricated from a thermoplastic material and having a knife channel defined longitudinally therethrough, the anvil plate including: a first surface having a plurality of beads disposed along a periphery thereof; and a second surface opposite the first surface; providing an anvil cover fabricated from a thermoplastic material and configured to be coupled to a distal end of a surgical stapling instrument, the anvil cover including a surface having at least one elongate surface feature disposed along a periphery thereof; and ultrasonically welding the anvil plate to the anvil cover at an interface between the plurality of beads of the anvil plate and the at least one elongate surface feature of the anvil cover. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, further comprising aligning an opening defined in an end of the anvil plate with an opening defining in an end of the anvil cover prior to ultrasonically welding the anvil plate to the anvil cover.