# US 2019/0167263 A1 · Method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector

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- Number: US 2019/0167263 A1
- Document ID: US20190167263A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/211,438
- Filed: 2018-12-06
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-08-24
- Assignees: Ethicon, Inc.
- Applicants: Ethicon LLC
- Inventors: Michael J. Vendely; Trevor J. Barton; Jason L. Harris; Charles J. Scheib; Emily A. Schellin; Prudence A. Turner; Steven G. Hall; Victoria Dalessandro; Jackie Donners; Mark Timmer; Rao S. Bezwada; Aidan Craigwood; Caroline Hagerman; Ashley Easter; Kathrin Holtzmann; Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Mark S. Zeiner
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190167263A1

## 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 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets}
- A61B 42/00: Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
- 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 50/31: Carrying cases or bags, e.g. doctors' bags
- A61B 90/90: Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2017/00893: {pharmaceutically effective}
- A61B 2017/00946: {malleable}
- A61B 2017/00951: {adhesive}
- A61B 2017/0688: {Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers}
- A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge}
- A61B 2050/005: {with a lid or cover}
- A61B 2050/0059: {parallel to the lid plane}
- A61B 2050/0065: {Peelable cover}
- A61B 2050/314: {Flexible bags or pouches}
- A61B 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter}
- A61B 2090/0807: {Indication means}
- A61B 2090/081: {for contamination or dirt}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

1-300. (canceled)

### Claim 301

A method of securing a buttress to an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw includes an offset distal tip that projects toward the second jaw, wherein the buttress applier cartridge comprises a platform, a buttress disposed on the platform, a retaining member, and a receiving feature, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the platform between the first and second jaws while the jaws are in an open state and while the retainer member retains the buttress on the platform;
(b) closing the end effector to clamp the platform between the first and second jaws, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector:
(i) the offset distal tip of the first jaw is received by the receiving feature of the buttress applier cartridge,
(ii) one of the first or second jaws engages the buttress, and
(iii) the retainer member releases the buttress from the platform;
(c) opening the end effector and thereby removing the buttress from the platform; and
(d) removing the platform from between the first and second jaws while the buttress remains secured to the one of the first or second jaws.

### Claim 302 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the offset distal tip of the first jaw comprises a rounded distal tip or an angled distal tip.

### Claim 303 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the receiving feature comprises an opening located at a distal end of the platform.

### Claim 304 (depends on 303)

The method of claim 303, wherein the opening is defined at least in part by a housing of the buttress applier cartridge.

### Claim 305 (depends on 304)

The method of claim 304, wherein at least a distal-most portion of the offset distal tip is positioned in non-contact relation with the housing when the end effector is closed on the platform.

### Claim 306 (depends on 303)

The method of claim 303, wherein the opening extends through the platform.

### Claim 307 (depends on 303)

The method of claim 303, wherein the opening is V-shaped.

### Claim 308 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector on the platform, the buttress adhesively bonds to a clamping surface of the jaw, wherein discrete portions of the buttress are adhesively bonded to the clamping surface with a greater degree of adhesion than other portions of the buttress.

### Claim 309 (depends on 308)

The method of claim 308, wherein the buttress includes a plurality of discrete portions of adhesive.

### Claim 310 (depends on 308)

The method of claim 308, wherein the platform includes a plurality of protrusions that provide localized pressure at discrete portions of the buttress when the end effector clamps on the platform and the buttress.

### Claim 311 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the retainer member is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein the retainer member in the extended position retains the buttress on the platform, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector on the platform the retainer member moves to the retracted position to release the buttress from the platform, wherein the retainer member remains in the retracted position following removal of the platform from between the first and second jaws.

### Claim 312 (depends on 311)

The method of claim 311, wherein the retainer member is resiliently biased toward the retracted position.

### Claim 313 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the first jaw supports an anvil surface, wherein the second jaw supports a staple cartridge.

### Claim 314 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the buttress comprises a first buttress disposed on a first side of the platform, wherein the buttress applier cartridge further comprises a second buttress disposed on second side of the platform, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector on the platform the first jaw engages the first buttress and the second jaw engages the second buttress.

### Claim 315 (depends on 301)

The method of claim 301, wherein the retainer member comprises a first retainer member that releasably retains the first buttress on the first side of the platform, wherein the buttress applier cartridge further comprises a second retainer member that releasably retains the second buttress on the second side of the platform, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector on the platform the first retainer member releases the first buttress from the first side and the second retainer member releases the second buttress from the second side.

### Claim 316

A method of securing first and second buttresses to an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw, wherein the buttress applier cartridge comprises a platform, an opening located at a distal end of the platform, first and second buttresses disposed on the platform, and first and second retaining members, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the platform between the first and second jaws while the jaws are in an open state and while the first retainer member retains the first buttress on a first side of the platform and while the second retainer member retains the second buttress on a second side of the platform;
(b) closing the end effector to clamp the platform between the first and second jaws, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector:
(i) a distal tip of the first jaw is received into the opening of the buttress applier cartridge,
(ii) the first jaw engages the first buttress, and
(iii) the second jaw engages the second buttress;
(c) opening the end effector and thereby removing the first and second buttresses from the platform; and
(d) removing the platform from between the first and second jaws while the first buttress remains secured to the first jaw and the second buttress remains secured to the second jaw.

### Claim 317 (depends on 316)

The method of claim 316, wherein the opening is formed in a housing of the buttress applier cartridge, wherein the opening communicates with an opening in a distal end of the platform.

### Claim 318 (depends on 317)

The method of claim 317, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector on the platform, the first retainer member releases the first buttress from the first side of the platform and the second retainer member releases the second buttress from the second side of the platform.

### Claim 319

A method of securing a buttress to an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw that supports an anvil surface and a second jaw that supports a staple cartridge, wherein the first jaw includes an offset distal tip that projects toward the second jaw, wherein the buttress applier cartridge comprises a platform, an opening formed in a distal end of the platform, a buttress disposed on the platform, and a retaining member, the method comprising:
(a) positioning the platform between the first and second jaws while the jaws are in an open state and while the retainer member retains the buttress on the platform;
(b) closing the end effector to clamp the platform between the first and second jaws, wherein in response to the clamping action of the end effector:
(i) the offset distal tip of the first jaw is received through the opening of the platform,
(ii) one of the anvil surface or the staple cartridge engages the buttress, and
(iii) the retainer member releases the buttress from the platform;
(c) opening the end effector and thereby removing the buttress from the platform; and
(d) removing the platform from between the first and second jaws while the buttress remains secured to the one of the anvil surface or the staple cartridge.

### Claim 320 (depends on 319)

The method of claim 319, wherein the offset distal tip of the first jaw comprises a rounded distal tip or an angled distal tip.