Device and method for reinforcing surgical staples
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsGary L. Rayburn, Rob G. Riffle, Frederick J. Walburn, Benjamin G. Williams
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical staple line reinforcement device for use with a variety of surgical staplers to protect against tissue damage from surgical staples. The device comprises a tube of bio-implantable material that can be quickly and readily applied by a surgical team to provide tissue reinforcement. The device preferably comprises a stretched or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with pre-established tear lines therein. The device allows for fast and safe staple reinforcement and rapid stapler separation and removal following installation.
Claims23
A surgical staple line reinforcement device that comprises
- bio-implantable material having at least one operative face proportioned to reinforce surgical staples at a surgical site, and walls extending from either side of the operative face, the face and the walls comprising the same material;
- wherein the face and walls form a tube having a generally rectangular cross sectional shape;
- and
- wherein the device is proportioned to be held on a stapler arm through friction of the face and walls against the stapler arm.
A surgical staple line reinforcement device for use with a surgical stapler having a stapler arm with a given cross-sectional dimension that comprises
- bio-implantable material having at least one operative face proportioned to reinforce surgical staples at a surgical site, and walls extending from either side of the operative face forming a tubular structure adapted to slide over the surgical stapler arm, the face and the walls comprising the same material;
- means to separate the operative face from the walls, the means comprising tear lines positioned between the face and the walls;
- wherein the tubular structure is proportioned to be held in place on the stapler arm solely by friction between the bio-implantable material and the stapler arm.
A method for applying surgical staples to a surgical site so as to reinforce the surgical site, which comprises
- providing a surgical stapler, having at least one stapler arm;
- providing at least one sleeve of reinforcement material, the sleeve being constructed from a tube of bio-compatible implantable material having a general rectangular cross-sectional shape and having at least one face through which staples are applied, the sleeve being adapted to slide over the stapler arm and be held in place by friction between the stapler arm and the sleeve;
- sliding the sleeve over the stapler arm so as to position the face to receive surgical staples and to hold the sleeve to the stapler arm through friction;
- positioning the stapler over the surgical site;
- applying the surgical staples through the surgical site and the sleeve, the sleeve providing reinforcement to prevent tearing of the surgical site;
- and trimming the sleeve of excess implantable material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.