US 5,810,855 A · Endoscopic device and method for reinforcing surgical staples

Abstract

A surgical staple line reinforcement device for use with a variety of surgical staplers having a pivoted connection between stapler arms or jaws, such as endoscopic stapler devices. The device comprises a pair of tubes of bio-implantable material connected together at a hinge. The device can be quickly and easily applied to a surgical stapler by a surgical team to provide tissue reinforcement. The hinged connection of the device provides both for secure attachment of the device to the surgical stapler, and for a barrier to protect the pivot connection from contamination by migrating tissue during operation. Preferably, tear lines are provided on each of the tubes to assist in removing excess material following attachment of staples. The device allows for fast and safe staple reinforcement and rapid stapler separation and removal following installation.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A reinforcement sleeve for a surgical stapler device comprising:

a first sleeve element adapted to attach to a first jaw member of the surgical stapler;
a second sleeve element adapted to attach to a second jaw member of the surgical stapler;
and
a hinge connecting the first sleeve element to the second sleeve element.

1 more element

A method for applying surgical staples to a surgical site so as to reinforce the surgical site, which comprises

providing a surgical stapler having a pair of jaw members connected at a pivot, the jaw members being adapted to move from a closed position whereby the jaw members abut one another and an open position whereby the jaw members are separated from one another around the pivot;
providing a sleeve of reinforcement material, the sleeve comprising first and second sleeve elements, each adapted to be attached to one of the pair of jaw members, and a hinge connecting the two sleeve elements together, wherein each of the sleeve elements includes an operative face through which staples are applied and wherein the sleeve is adapted to slide over the pair of arm;
placing the jaw members in the closed position and sliding the sleeve over the jaw members arm so as to position the operative faces to receive surgical staples and so as to position the hinge to abut the pivot;
placing the jaw members in the open position and orienting the stapler over the surgical site, the sleeve being held to the surgical stapler at least in part by the hinge connecting the two sleeve elements;
applying surgical staples through the surgical site and the operative faces of the sleeve, the sleeve providing reinforcement to prevent tearing of the surgical site.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

08/893,438Filed 11 Jul 1997 · continuation in part

Priority

21 Jul 1995

Granted

22 Sep 1998

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61B 17/07207
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: the staples being applied sequentially
A61B 17/07292
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
A61B
Medical diagnosis and surgery

Endoscopic device and method for reinforcing surgical staples

Life of this patent

Endoscopic device and method for reinforcing surgical staples

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17