Detachable buttress material retention systems for use with a surgical stapling device

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 8512402
  • Patent Number
    8,512,402
  • Date Filed
    Friday, October 29, 2010
    14 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 20, 2013
    11 years ago
Abstract
Systems of releasably connecting staple line buttress material to the jaws of a surgical stapling instrument are provided. The systems include retainers configured to engage the buttress material and releasably retain the buttress material on the jaws of the surgical stapling instrument prior to stapling tissue. In certain embodiments, the retainers remain with the jaws of the instrument after stapling of tissue. In alternative embodiments, the retainers remain with the buttress material after being stapled to tissue.
Description
BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field


The present disclosure relates to attachment systems for staple line buttress materials. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods of temporarily attaching staple line buttress materials to an anvil and staple containing cartridge of a surgical stapling instrument.


2. Background of Related Art


Surgical stapling instruments, or “stapling devices”, are employed by surgeons to sequentially or simultaneously apply one or more rows of fasteners, e.g., staples or two-part fasteners, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together. Such devices generally include a pair of jaws or finger-like structures between which the body tissue to be joined is placed. When the stapling device is actuated, or “fired”, longitudinally moving firing bars contact staple drive members in one of the jaws. The staple drive members push the surgical staples through the body tissue and into an anvil in the opposite jaw which crimps the staples closed. If tissue is to be removed or separated, a knife blade can be provided in the jaws of the device to cut the tissue between the lines of staples.


When stapling relatively thin or fragile tissues, it is important to effectively seal the staple line against air or fluid leakage. Additionally, it is often necessary to reinforce the staple line against the tissue to prevent tears in the tissue or pulling of the staples through the tissue. One method of preventing tears or pull through involves the placement of a biocompatible fabric reinforcing material, or “buttress” material, between the staple and the underlying tissue. In this method, a layer of buttress material is placed against the tissue and the tissue is stapled in conventional manner. In more recent methods, the buttress material is positioned on the stapling instrument itself prior to stapling the tissue. An exemplary example of this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,594 to McKean et al. In McKean et al., a tube of buttress material is slipped over the jaw of the stapler. The stapler is then actuated to staple the subject tissue and secure the buttress material between the tissue and staple line to reinforce the tissue and staple line.


When positioning the buttress material on the jaws of the surgical stapler, it is desirable to releasably retain the buttress material against the jaws. Thus, it is desirable to provide retainers for releasably retaining the buttress material against the jaws of the surgical instrument.


SUMMARY

There is disclosed a surgical stapler for deploying staples in tissue, the surgical stapler has a pair of jaws for engaging tissue, including a stapler cartridge and an anvil, where at least one of the jaws defines a plurality of recesses. A staple line buttress material is positioned on one of the jaws and a plurality of retainers pass through the staple line buttress material. Each of the retainers is disposed within one of the recesses in the jaws so as to releasably retain the staple line buttress material on the at least one jaw.


In one embodiment, the retainer is a staple having a backspan and a pair of legs extending from the backspan and the recesses in the at least one jaw defines a pair of holes, the legs of the staple pass through the holes such that tips of the legs are crimped over the staple line buttress material.


In another embodiment, the legs of the staple are inserted through the staple line buttress material such that the legs of the staple are partially positioned within the recesses and the backspan of the staple secures the staple line buttress material to the at least one jaw. In a more specific embodiment, the legs of the staple are crimped within the recesses.


In certain embodiments, the staple line buttress material includes a plurality of slots and the recesses are also formed as slots. The retainers are clips passing through the slots in the staple line buttress material and the jaw. In one embodiment, the retainer is a clip having an a plate and an angled lip extending from the plate, the angled lip engaging the staple line buttress material. The clip has an angled edge along one side, the angled edge being engagable with a driver of the surgical stapler.


In a further embodiment, the clip is an I-beam having a center portion and upper and lower beams extending from ends of the center portion. An underside of the upper beam engages the staple line buttress material and ends of the lower beam frictionally engage surfaces defining the recesses.


In certain embodiments, the retainer is absorbable within the body of a patient.


There is also disclosed a method of applying staple line buttress material to a surgical staple line. The method includes providing a surgical stapler having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil, the surgical stapler having a buttress material releasably disposed on at least one of the jaws and a plurality of retainers passing through the staple line buttress material and into recesses formed in the at least one jaw.


In the disclosed method the surgical stapler is actuated to drive staples contained in the staple containing cartridge through the buttress material and tissue captured between the jaws and into the anvil so as to staple the buttress material to the tissue. In one embodiment of the method, the retainers are retained within the at least one jaw after the buttress material has been stapled to the tissue. In an alternative embodiment of the disclosed method, the retainers are retained on the buttress material after the buttress material has been stapled to the tissue.


In one embodiment of the disclosed method the retainers are reverse staples frictionally retained within the recesses while in an alternative embodiment of the disclosed method the retainers are clips passing through the buttress material. A surface of the clips engage the buttress material.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the presently disclosed systems for attaching staple line buttress materials to a surgical stapling instrument are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein:



FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument incorporating embodiments of retention systems for attachment of staple line buttress materials to an anvil and a staple cartridge:



FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1;



FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of one embodiment of an anvil and buttress material retention system;



FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially shown in section, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;



FIG. 5 is a side view, partially shown in section, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 illustrating initial assembly of an anvil buttress retention system;



FIG. 6 is a side view, partially shown in section, illustrating the partial crimping of a retaining clip of the anvil buttress retention system;



FIG. 7 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of one embodiment of a staple cartridge and buttress material retention system;



FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a staple cartridge assembly illustrating the partially assembled staple cartridge buttress retention system;



FIG. 9 is a side view, partially shown in section, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;



FIG. 10 is a side view, partially shown in section, similar to FIG. 9, illustrating crimping of a reverse staple of the staple cartridge buttress retention system;



FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1 positioned about a tissue section;



FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the tissue section positioned between the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1;



FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 12, during initial actuation of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1;



FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 13, during actuation of the surgical stapling instrument to staple the tissue section;



FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 14, after actuation illustrating release of the stapled tissue section;



FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the stapled tissue section with buttress materials attached;



FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 16;



FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1 incorporating alternative embodiments of retention systems for attachment of staple line buttress materials to an anvil and staple cartridge;



FIG. 19 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of another embodiment of an anvil and buttress material retention system in accordance with FIG. 18;



FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a retention clip of the anvil buttress retention system of FIG. 19;



FIG. 21 is a perspective view, partially shown in section, taken along line 21-21 of FIG. 18;



FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an alternative retention clip for use in the anvil buttress retention system of FIG. 18;



FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a further alternative retention clip for use in the anvil buttress retention system of FIG. 18;



FIG. 24 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of another embodiment of a staple cartridge and buttress material retention system in accordance with FIG. 18;



FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a staple illustrating the partially assembled staple cartridge buttress retention system of FIG. 24;



FIG. 26 is a side view, partially shown in section, illustrating the insertion of a reverse staple being inserted into a staple pocket;



FIG. 27 is a side view, partially shown in section, illustrating the reverse staple frictionally retained in the staple pocket;



FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument illustrated in FIG. 18 positioned about a tissue section;



FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 29-29 of FIG. 28;



FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 29, during initial actuation;



FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 30, during actuation to staple the tissue section;



FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 31, after actuation illustration release of the stapled tissue section;



FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the stapled tissue section with buttress material attached;



FIG. 34 is side view, partially shown in section, taken along line 34-34 of FIG. 33;



FIG. 35 is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end of the surgical stapling instrument of FIG. 1 incorporating further alternative embodiments of retention systems for attachment of staple line buttress materials to an anvil and staple cartridge;



FIG. 36 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of a staple cartridge buttress retention system in accordance with FIG. 35;



FIG. 37 is a perspective view of an I-beam retention clip of the staple cartridge buttress retention system of FIG. 36;



FIG. 38 is a side view, partially shown in section, of the I-beam retention clip frictionally retained within the staple cartridge;



FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of a tissue section positioned between the anvil and cartridge assemblies of FIG. 35;



FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 39, during initial actuation;



FIG. 41 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 40, during actuation to staple the tissue section;



FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 41, after actuation illustrating release of the stapled tissue section;



FIG. 43 is a perspective view of the stapled tissue section; and



FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the stapled tissue section taken along line 44-44 of FIG. 43.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the presently disclosed detachable buttress material retention systems for use with surgical stapling instruments will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term ‘proximal” refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term “distal” refers to that part or component further away from the user.


Referring now to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a linear surgical stapling instrument or surgical stapler 10 for use in stapling tissue and applying layers of buttress material between the staples and underlying tissue. An exemplary example of this type of surgical stapling instrument is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,253, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Surgical stapler 10 generally includes a handle 12 having an elongate tubular member 14 extending distally from handle 12. A jaw assembly 16 is mounted on a distal end 18 of elongate tubular member 14. Jaw assembly 16 includes a staple clinching anvil 20 and a staple containing cartridge or staple cartridge 22. Staple cartridge 22 may be permanently affixed to elongate tubular member 14 or may be detachable and thus replaceable with a new staple cartridge 22. Staple clinching anvil 20 is movably mounted on distal end 18 of elongate tubular member 14 and is movable between an open position spaced apart from staple cartridge 22 to a closed position substantially adjacent staple cartridge 22.


Staple clinching anvil 20 is provided with a layer of anvil buttress material 24 and staple cartridge 22 is provided with a layer of cartridge buttress material 26 in the manners described in more detail hereinbelow. A plurality of anvil buttress retainers in the form of clips or reverse staples 28 are provide to releasably secure anvil buttress material to staple clinching anvil 20. Likewise, a plurality of cartridge buttress retainers in the form of detachable clips or reverse staples 30 are provided to releasable secure cartridge buttress material 26 to staple cartridge 22. Anvil buttress material 24 and cartridge buttress material 26 are provided to reinforce and seal staple lines applied to tissue by surgical stapler 10.


Surgical stapler 10 includes a trigger 32 movably mounted on handle 12. Actuation of trigger 32 initially operates to move anvil 20 from the open to the closed position relative to staple cartridge 22 and subsequently actuate surgical stapler 10 to apply lines of staples to tissue. In order to properly orient jaw assembly 16 relative to the tissue to be stapled, surgical stapler 10 is additionally provided with a rotation knob 34 mounted on handle 12. Rotation of rotation knob 34 relative to handle 12 rotates elongate tubular member 14 and jaw assembly 16 relative to handle 12 so as to properly orient jaw assembly 16 relative to the tissue to be stapled.


Referring to FIG. 2, a driver 36 is provided to move anvil 20 between the open and closed positions relative to staple cartridge 22. Driver 36 moves between a longitudinal slot 38 formed in anvil 20. A knife blade (not shown) is associated with driver 32 to cut tissue captured between anvil 20 and staple cartridge 22 as driver 36 passes through slot 38.


Anvil 20, anvil buttress material 24 and anvil buttress retainers or reverse staples 28 combine to form an anvil buttress attachment system 40 allowing anvil buttress material 24 to be supported on and releasably affixed to anvil 20. Similarly, staple cartridge 22, cartridge buttress material 26 and cartridge buttress retainers or reverse staples 30 combine to form a cartridge buttress attachment system 42 allowing cartridge buttress material 26 to be supported on and releasably affixed to staple cartridge 22. Anvil buttress attachment system 40 and cartridge buttress attachment system 42 are particularly configured to allow the respective buttress materials to be localized on inwardly facing surfaces of anvil 20 and staple cartridge 22 in order to facilitate passage of surgical stapler 10 into the body of a patient without risk of tearing or wrinkling of the respective buttress materials as surgical stapler 10 is inserted into and manipulated within the body of a patient.


Referring to FIG. 3, in order to move anvil 20 between the open and closed positions, anvil 20 includes a proximal, angled or sloped edge 44 configured to be engaged by driver 36 in order to cam anvil 20 to the closed position. Slot 38 extends distally from sloped edge 44 and terminates in a transverse slot 46 which is configured to capture driver 36 upon complete actuation of surgical stapler 10 to prevent any further actuation of surgical stapler 10. In order to secure staples provided by staple cartridge 22 about the tissues and buttress materials, anvil 20 is provided with longitudinally extending rows of staple clinching pockets 48 located on either side of longitudinal slot 38. While only a single row of staple clinching pockets 48 is illustrated on either side of slot 38, it is contemplated that multiple and/or staggered rows of staple clinching pockets 48 may be provided on anvil 20.


Referring still to FIG. 3, anvil buttress attachment system 40, including anvil 20, anvil buttress material 24 and anvil buttress retainers or reverse staples 28 will now be described. Anvil buttress material 24, as well as cartridge buttress material 26. The buttress material for the staple cartridge 22 and/or anvil 20 may be made from any biocompatible natural or synthetic material. The material from which the buttress material is formed may be bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable. It should of course be understood that any combination of natural, synthetic, bioabsorbable and non-bioabsorbable materials may be used to form the buttress material.


Some non-limiting examples of materials from which the buttress material may be made include but are not limited to poly(lactic acid), poly (glycolic acid), poly (hydroxybutyrate), poly (phosphazine), polyesters, polyethylene glycols, polyethylene oxides, polyacrylamides, polyhydroxyethylmethylacrylate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylic acid, polyacetate, polycaprolactone, polypropylene, aliphatic polyesters, glycerols, poly(amino acids), copoly (ether-esters), polyalkylene oxalates, polyamides, poly (iminocarbonates), polyalkylene oxalates, polyoxaesters, polyorthoesters, polyphosphazenes and copolymers, block copolymers, homopolymers, blends and combinations thereof.


In embodiments, natural biological polymers are used in forming the buttress material. Suitable natural biological polymers include, but are not limited to, collagen, gelatin, fibrin, fibrinogen, elastin, keratin, albumin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, chitan, chitosan, and combinations thereof. In addition, the natural biological polymers may be combined with any of the other polymeric materials described herein to produce the buttress material.


The buttress material may be porous or non-porous, or combinations of porous and non-porous layers. Where the buttress material is non-porous, buttress material may retard or prevent tissue ingrowth from surrounding tissues thereby acting as an adhesion barrier and preventing the formation of unwanted scar tissue. Thus, in embodiments, the buttress material possesses anti-adhesion properties. Techniques for forming non-porous layers from such materials are within the purview of those skilled in the art and include, for example, casting, molding and the like.


In embodiments, the buttress material is porous and possesses hemostatic properties. Where the buttress material is porous, it has openings or pores over at least a portion of a surface thereof. Suitable materials for forming the porous layer include, but are not limited to foams (e.g., open or closed cell foams). In embodiments, the pores may be in sufficient number and size so as to interconnect across the entire thickness of the porous layer. In other embodiments, the pores do not interconnect across the entire thickness of the porous layer. In yet other embodiments, the pores do not extend across the entire thickness of the porous layer, but rather are present at a portion of the surface thereof. In embodiments, the openings or pores are located on a portion of the surface of the porous layer, with other portions of the porous layer having a non-porous texture. Those skilled in the art reading the present disclosure will envision other pore distribution patterns and configurations for the porous layer.


Where the buttress material is porous, the pores may be formed using any method suitable to forming a foam or sponge including, but not limited to the lyophilization or freeze-drying of a composition. Suitable techniques for making foams are within the purview of those skilled in the art. Porous buttress materials can be at least 0.2 cm thick, in embodiments from about 0.3 to about 1.5 cm thick. Porous buttress materials can have a density of not more than about 75 mg/cm2 and, in embodiments below about 20 mg/cm2. The size of the pores in the porous buttress materials can be from about 20 μm to about 300 μm, in embodiments from about 100 μm to about 200 μm.


The buttress material may also include a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member may be associated with a porous or non-porous layer or may be positioned between a non-porous layer and a porous layer of the buttress material. Alternatively, the reinforcement member may be positioned entirely within one or more of the individual layers (i.e., embedded within the porous layer, the non-porous layer, or both) of the buttress material. It is also envisioned that the reinforcement member may be positioned at the surface of one of the layers making up the buttress material and, in embodiments, may be positioned at an exterior surface of the buttress material.


Some suitable non-limiting examples of reinforcement members include fabrics, meshes, monofilaments, multifilament braids, chopped fibers (sometimes referred to in the art as staple fibers) and combinations thereof. Where the reinforcement member is a mesh, it may be prepared using any technique known to those skilled in the art, such as knitting, weaving, tatting, knipling or the like. Where monofilaments or multifilament braids are used as the reinforcement member, the monofilaments or multifilament braids may be oriented in any desired manner. For example, the monofilaments or multifilament braids may be randomly positioned with respect to each other within the buttress material. As another example, the monofilaments or multifilament braids may be oriented in a common direction within the buttress material. Where chopped fibers are used as the reinforcement member, the chopped fibers may be oriented in any desired manner. For example, the chopped fibers may be randomly oriented or may be oriented in a common direction. The chopped fibers can thus form a non-woven material, such as a mat or a felt. The chopped fibers may be joined together (e.g., by heat fusing) or they may be unattached to each other. The chopped fibers may be of any suitable length. For example, the chopped may be from 0.1 mm to 100 mm in length, in embodiments, 0.4 mm to 50 mm in length. In an illustrative embodiment, the buttress material has randomly oriented chopped fibers that have not been previously fused together embedded within in the buttress material.


It is envisioned that the reinforcement member may be formed from any bioabsorbable, non-bioabsorbable, natural, or synthetic material previously described herein and combinations thereof. Where monofilaments or multifilament braids are used as the reinforcement member, any commercially available suture material may advantageously be employed as the reinforcement member.


In embodiments, at least one bioactive agent may be combined with the buttress material and/or any of the individual components (the porous layer, the non-porous layer and/or the reinforcement member) used to construct the buttress material. In these embodiments, the buttress material can also serve as a vehicle for delivery of the bioactive agent. The term “bioactive agent”, as used herein, is used in its broadest sense and includes any substance or mixture of substances that have clinical use. Consequently, bioactive agents may or may not have pharmacological activity per se, e.g., a dye, or fragrance. Alternatively a bioactive agent could be any agent which provides a therapeutic or prophylactic effect, a compound that affects or participates in tissue growth, cell growth, cell differentiation, an anti-adhesive compound, a compound that may be able to invoke a biological action such as an immune response, or could play any other role in one or more biological processes.


Examples of classes of bioactive agents which may be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure include anti-adhesives, antimicrobials, analgesics, antipyretics, anesthetics, antiepileptics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, cardiovascular drugs, diagnostic agents, sympathomimetics, cholinomimetics, antimuscarinics, antispasmodics, hormones, growth factors, muscle relaxants, adrenergic neuron blockers, antineoplastics, immunogenic agents, immunosuppressants, gastrointestinal drugs, diuretics, steroids, lipids, lipopolysaccharides, polysaccharides, and enzymes. It is also intended that combinations of bioactive agents may be used.


Anti-adhesive or anti-adhesion agents can be used to prevent adhesions from forming between the buttress material and the surrounding tissues opposite the target tissue. Some examples of these agents include, but are not limited to poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), carboxymethyl cellulose, hyaluronic acid, polyethylene oxide, poly vinyl alcohols and combinations thereof.


Suitable antimicrobial agents which may be included as a bioactive agent in the buttress material of the present disclosure include triclosan, also known as 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxydiphenyl ether, chlorhexidine and its salts, including chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, and chlorhexidine sulfate, silver and its salts, including silver acetate, silver benzoate, silver carbonate, silver citrate, silver iodate, silver iodide, silver lactate, silver laurate, silver nitrate, silver oxide, silver palmitate, silver protein, and silver sulfadiazine, polymyxin, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, such as tobramycin and gentamicin, rifampicin, bacitracin, neomycin, chloramphenicol, miconazole, quinolones such as oxolinic acid, norfloxacin, nalidixic acid, pefloxacin, enoxacin and ciprofloxacin, penicillins such as oxacillin and pipracil, nonoxynol 9, fusidic acid, cephalosporins, and combinations thereof. In addition, antimicrobial proteins and peptides such as bovine lactoferrin and lactoferricin B may be included as a bioactive agent in the bioactive coating of the present disclosure.


Other bioactive agents which may be included as a bioactive agent in the buttress material in accordance with the present disclosure include: local anesthetics; non-steroidal antifertility agents; parasympathomimetic agents; psychotherapeutic agents; tranquilizers; decongestants; sedative hypnotics; steroids; sulfonamides; sympathomimetic agents; vaccines; vitamins; antimalarials; anti-migraine agents; anti-parkinson agents such as L-dopa; anti-spasmodics; anticholinergic agents (e.g. oxybutynin); antitussives; bronchodilators; cardiovascular agents such as coronary vasodilators and nitroglycerin; alkaloids; analgesics; narcotics such as codeine, dihydrocodeinone, meperidine, morphine and the like; non-narcotics such as salicylates, aspirin, acetaminophen, d-propoxyphene and the like; opioid receptor antagonists, such as naltrexone and naloxone; anti-cancer agents; anti-convulsants; anti-emetics; antihistamines; anti-inflammatory agents such as hormonal agents, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, prednisone, non-hormonal agents, allopurinol, indomethacin, phenylbutazone and the like; prostaglandins and cytotoxic drugs; estrogens; antibacterials; antibiotics; anti-fungals; anti-virals; anticoagulants; anticonvulsants; antidepressants; antihistamines; and immunological agents.


Other examples of suitable bioactive agents which may be included in the coating composition include viruses and cells, peptides, polypeptides and proteins, analogs, muteins, and active fragments thereof, such as immunoglobulins, antibodies, cytokines (e.g. lymphokines, monokines, chemokines), blood clotting factors, hemopoietic factors, interleukins (IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6), interferons (β-IFN, (α-IFN and γ-IFN), erythropoietin, nucleases, tumor necrosis factor, colony stimulating factors (e.g., GCSF, GM-CSF, MCSF), insulin, anti-tumor agents and tumor suppressors, blood proteins, gonadotropins (e.g., FSH, LH, CG, etc.), hormones and hormone analogs (e.g., growth hormone), vaccines (e.g., tumoral, bacterial and viral antigens); somatostatin; antigens; blood coagulation factors; growth factors (e.g., nerve growth factor, insulin-like growth factor); protein inhibitors, protein antagonists, and protein agonists; nucleic acids, such as antisense molecules, DNA and RNA; oligonucleotides; polynucleotides; and ribozymes.


Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, and initially with regard to FIGS. 3 and 5, the details of anvil buttress retention system 40 will now be described. As noted above, anvil buttress retention system 40 includes clip or reverse staple 28 to secure anvil buttress material 24 to anvil 20. Reverse staple 28 has a span or back span 50 having a pair of legs 52 and 54 extending from backspan 50. Legs 52 and 54 terminate in sharp tips 56 and 58, respectively, which are provided to penetrate anvil buttress material 24 as anvil retention system 40 is assembled.


As noted above, anvil 20 is provided with rows of staple clinching pockets 48. In this embodiment, pairs of holes 60 are drilled in anvil 20 to allow legs 52 and 54 of reverse staples 28 to pass therethrough. Pairs of holes 60 are positioned in line with rows of staple clinching pockets 48 and take the place of one or more sets of staple clinching pockets 48 within the rows as shown. In a specific embodiment, pairs of holes 60 are located in the outer most rows of staple clinching pockets 48 to secure anvil buttress material 24 along its outer edges.


Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, in order to assemble anvil buttress retention system 40, legs 52 and 54 of reverse staples 28 are inserted through pairs of holes 60 in anvil 20 such tips 56 and 58 penetrate anvil buttress material 24 (FIG. 5). Alternatively, anvil buttress material 24 may be provided with preformed holes to accommodate legs 52 and 54. Once legs 52 and 54 have been positioned through anvil 20 and anvil buttress material 24, legs 52 and 54 are bent or crimped to form inwardly bent legs 62 and 64 (see FIG. 6) which secure anvil buttress material 24 against anvil 20. As shown, backspan 50 of reverse staple 28 is adjacent a top side 66 of anvil 20 while anvil buttress material 24 is secured against an underside 68 of anvil 20 by inwardly bent legs 62 and 64 (FIGS. 4 and 6). The length of inwardly bent legs 62 and 64 is sufficiently short such that anvil buttress material 24 can pull away from anvil 20 once anvil buttress material 24 has been stapled to tissue.


Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, the details and assembly of cartridge buttress retention system 42 will now be described. Referring initially to FIG. 7, and as noted above, cartridge buttress retention system 42 generally includes staple cartridge 22, cartridge buttress material 26 and detachable clips or reverse staples 30 releasably securing cartridge buttress material 26 to staple cartridge 22. Reverse staples 30 are similar to the staples, described below, used to staple tissue. In contrast to reverse staples 28 associated with anvil buttress retention system 40 described above, reverse staples 30 are intended to detach from staple cartridge 22 and travel with cartridge buttress material 26 as cartridge buttress material 26 is stapled to a body. Reverse staples 30 are formed of a biocompatible material and may be formed from an absorbable or resorbable material so as to deteriorate within the body over time. In contrast to reverse staples 28 associated with anvil buttress retention system 40 described above, reverse staples 30 are intended to detach from staple cartridge 22 and travel with cartridge buttress material 26 as cartridge buttress material 26 is stapled to a body.


Staple cartridge 22 generally includes a plastic body portion 70 and an outer channel 72. Staple cartridge 22 is supported on elongate tubular member 14 by outer channel 72. Body portion 70 includes a plurality of rows of staple containing pockets 74 provided to contain staples used to staple tissue as described below. A knife channel 78 is positioned between rows of staple containing pockets 74 for passage of a knife used to cut the stapled tissue along with cartridge buttress material 26.


Rows of staple containing pockets 74 include longitudinally spaced, empty or dummy pockets 78 for receipt of reverse staples 30 in order to secure cartridge buttress material 26 to staple cartridge 22.


As shown in FIG. 8, in order to assemble cartridge buttress retention system 42, cartridge buttress material 26 is positioned over body portion 70 of staple cartridge 22 and reverse staples 30 are inserted through cartridge buttress material 26 and into dummy pockets 78 (FIG. 9). With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a crimping die 80 is provided to frictionally secure reverse staple 30 within dummy pocket 78. Specifically, reverse staple 30 includes a back span 82 and a pair of legs 84 and 86 projecting from back span 82. Legs 84 and 86 terminate in points or tips 88 and 90, respectively.


Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, once legs 84 and 86 have been inserted through cartridge buttress material 26 and into dummy pocket 78, crimping die 80 is urged upwardly within dummy pocket 78 such that crimping pockets 92 and 94 on crimping die 80 engage tips 88 and 90 and bend or crimp them to form crimped ends 96 and 98 (FIG. 10). When reverse staple 30 has been crimped within dummy pocket 78, legs 84 and 86 are forced or splayed outwardly so as to frictionally engage walls 100 of dummy pocket 78 thereby frictionally retaining reverse staple 30 within dummy pocket 78.


Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 17, and initially with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12, the use of surgical stapler 10 to staple and divide a tubular tissue section T will now be described. Initially, jaw assembly 16, including anvil 20 and staple containing cartridge 22 are positioned around the tissue T to be stapled. Driver 36 is in a proximal position relative to anvil slot 38. As best shown in FIG. 11, the staple containing insert or plastic body portion 70 includes staples 102 positioned within individual staple pockets 104 of row of staple pockets 74. Staples 102 are of a conventional type and include a backspan 106 having a pair of legs 108 and 110 extending from backspan 106. Legs 108 and 110 terminate in tissue penetrating tips 112 and 114. Pushers 116 are located within staple pockets 104 and arc positioned between staples 102 and the path of a drive bar 118.


Referring now to FIG. 13, surgical stapler 10 is initially actuated by movement of trigger 32 relative to handle 12 (FIG. 1) causing driver 36 to move in the direction of arrow B and against sloped edge 44 of anvil 20 thereby causing anvil 20 to be moved to the closed position relative to staple cartridge 22. As best shown in FIG. 14, as drive bar 118 advances distally within plastic body portion 74, drive bar 118 urges pushers 116 upwardly against backspans 106 of staples 102 driving staples 102 through cartridge buttress material 26, tissue T, anvil buttress material 24 and towards staple clinching pockets 48 in anvil 20. Tissue penetrating tips 112 and 114 are bent within staple clinching pockets 48 in anvil 20 to thereby secure anvil buttress material 24 against tissue T while backspan 106 secures cartridge buttress material 26 against tissue T.


While not specifically shown, upon full actuation of surgical stapler 10, a knife blade associated with surgical stapler 10 and carried by driver 36 cuts tissue T, as well as anvil buttress material 24 and cartridge buttress material 26 between the rows of now clinched staples 102.


As shown in FIG. 15, in one embodiment, upon movement of anvil 20 to the open position spaced apart from staple cartridge 22, anvil buttress material 24 pulls away from anvil 20 and anvil buttress retainers 28. Specifically, anvil buttress material 24 pulls free from inwardly bent legs 62 and 64 of anvil buttress retainers 28 leaving anvil buttress retainers 28 attached to anvil 20. In addition, as anvil 20 is moved to the open position, cartridge buttress material 26 separates from staple containing cartridge 22. As noted above, cartridge buttress retainers 30 are frictionally retained within dummy pockets 78. As cartridge buttress material 26 pulls away from staple containing cartridge 22, cartridge buttress retainers 30 pull free from dummy pockets 78 and remain with the stapled tissue T and cartridge buttress material 26. As noted above, cartridge buttress retainers 30 may be formed of absorbable or resorbable materials which will degrade in the body over time.


The resulting tissue T, divided and stapled closed with staples 102, is best illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17. Specifically, cartridge buttress material 26 is secured against tissue T by backspans 106 of staples 102 and anvil buttress material 24 is secured against tissue T by the now clinched tissue penetrating tips 112 and 114 of staples 102. In this manner, anvil buttress material 24 and cartridge buttress material 26 are stapled to tissue T thereby sealing and reinforcing these staple lines created by staples 102.


Referring now to FIGS. 18-34, there are disclosed alternative embodiments of an anvil buttress retention system 120 and a cartridge buttress retention system 122 for use in surgical stapling instrument 10. Referring initially to FIGS. 18 and 19, anvil buttress retention system 120 is provided to retain anvil buttress material 24 against an anvil 124 prior to stapling to tissue. Anvil 124 is similar to anvil 20 described hereinabove and includes a sloped proximal edge 136 for engagement with driver 36 in order to move anvil 124 between open and closed positions relative to staple containing cartridge 22. Anvil 124 additionally includes a slot 128 for passage of a knife associated with surgical stapling instrument 10. Anvil buttress retention system 120 includes a plurality of novel retainers or clips 130 to assist in retaining anvil buttress material 24 on anvil 124. Anvil 124 is provided with a series of clip slots 132, for receipt of clips 130, which are spaced along staple clinching pockets 134 formed in anvil 124. Anvil buttress material 24 also contains buttress material slots 136 for passage of clips 130 therethrough.


Referring for the moment to FIG. 20, clip 130 is generally formed as a plate 138 having a sloped edge 140 along a first end 142 of plate 138 and a flange or lip 144 projecting at approximately a right angle from a second end 146 of plate 138. Sloped edge 140 is configured to be engaged by driver 36 to force clip 130 out of anvil 124 while lip 144 is provided to retain anvil buttress material 24 against anvil 124 prior to stapling. As best shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, clip 130 is frictionally retained within clip slot 132 of anvil 124 and an undersurface 148 of lip 144 retains anvil buttress material 24 against anvil 124.


In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 22, an alternative clip 150 may be provided having a pair of spaced apart lips 152 and 154 projecting at a generally right angle from a plate 156 of clip 150. Lips 152 and 154 are configured to retain anvil buttress material 24 against anvil 124 in a manner similar to that of clip 130. Clip 150 also includes an angled edge 158 for engagement by driver 36 of surgical stapling instrument 10 to separate clip 150 and anvil buttress material 24 from anvil 124.


A still further embodiment of a retention clip 160 is illustrated in FIG. 23. Clip 160 is also formed as a plate 162 having an angled edge 164 for engagement with driver 30 of surgical stapling instrument 10. Clip 160 is provided with a pair of opposite facing lips 166 and 168 which extend generally at right angles from plate 162 to increase the amount of surface provided to secure anvil buttress material 24 to anvil 124.


Referring now to FIGS. 22-27, and initially with regard to FIG. 24, cartridge buttress retention system 122 is similar to cartridge buttress retention system 42 described hereinabove, including staple containing cartridge 22 having plastic body portion 70 and outer channel 72 and cartridge buttress material 26. As described hereinabove, plastic body portion includes rows of staple pockets 74 separated by knife channel 76. However, in place of reverse staples 30, cartridge buttress retention system 122 utilizes clips or reverse staples 182 which are not intended to be crimped within dummy pockets 78 in plastic body portion 70. Rather, as best shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, legs 184 and 186 of reverse staple 182 frictionally engage inner surfaces 100 of dummy pockets 78 while a back span 188 of reverse staple 182 holds cartridge buttress material 26 against staple containing cartridge 22.


With reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, in use, jaw assembly 16 is initially positioned about a tissue section T with anvil 124 in the open position space apart from staple containing cartridge 22. Driver 36 is in a proximal position relative to sloped proximal edge 126 of anvil 24. Clips 130 are positioned through slots 136 in anvil 124 retaining anvil buttress material 24 against anvil 124. As discussed hereinabove, plastic body portion 70 contains staples 102 positioned within staple pockets 104. Reverse staples 182 are positioned within dummy pockets 78 retaining staple buttress material 26 against staple containing cartridge 22.


Referring now to FIG. 30, upon actuation of surgical stapler 10, driver 36 moves distally in the direction of arrow B and against sloped edge 126 of anvil 124 causing anvil 124 to move to the closed position relative to staple containing cartridge 22 compressing tissue T therebetween.


As best shown in FIG. 31, as driver 36 continues to move distally along anvil 124, driver 36 engages sloped edge 140 of clips 130 forcing clips 130 downwardly within slots 132 in anvil 124. This initiates release of anvil buttress material 24 from anvil 124. Identical to that described hereinabove, as drive bar 118 advances distally in response to actuation of surgical stapler 10, drive bar 118 urges pushers 116 upwardly within staple pockets 104 driving tissue penetrating tips 112 and 114 of staple 102 through cartridge buttress material 26, tissue T, anvil buttress material 24 and into staple clinching pockets 134 in anvil 124. Tips 112 and 114 are crimped within staple clinching pockets 124 thereby securing anvil buttress material 24 to tissue T. Backspans 106 of staples 102 secure cartridge buttress material 26 to tissue T. As discussed above, a knife associated with surgical stapler 10 divides tissue T, as well as anvil buttress material 24 and cartridge buttress material 26, between now clinched rows of staples 102.


Referring for the moment to FIG. 32, upon movement of anvil 124 to the open position, anvil buttress material pulls clips 130 out of clip slots 132 in anvil 124 such that anvil buttress material 24 separates from anvil 124. Reverse staples 182 pull free from dummy pockets 78 (FIG. 31) freeing cartridge buttress material 26 from staple cartridge 22. Thus, both reverse staples 182 and clips 130 remain with stapled tissue T and, as noted above, are formed of a degradable material which will dissolve within the body over time.


The resultant stapled tissue sections T are best illustrated in FIGS. 33 and 34. Cartridge buttress material 26 and anvil buttress material 24 are stapled to tissue T by staples 102 thereby reinforcing the staple line formed by staples 102 and sealing the stapled and severed ends of tissue T.


Referring now to FIGS. 35-44, there is disclosed a further alternative embodiment of a cartridge buttress retention system 190 for use with surgical stapler 10 and anvil buttress retention system 40 described hereinabove. Cartridge buttress retention system 190 generally includes staple containing cartridge 22 and cartridge buttress material 26. A plurality of cartridge buttress retainers or I-beam retainers 192 are provided to frictionally engage staple containing cartridge 22 and temporarily secure cartridge buttress material 26 to staple containing cartridge 22.


Referring for the moment to FIG. 37, I-beam retainer 192 generally includes a rectangular central portion 194 having rectangular upper beam 196 and lower beam 198 attached thereto. As with the retention devices described hereinabove, retainer 192 may be formed of a material that degrades within the body over time. Cartridge buttress material 26 includes a plurality of slots 200 which are aligned with dummy pockets 78 in staple containing cartridge 22 and allow for partial passage of I-beam retainer 192 therethrough (FIG. 36).


With continued reference to FIG. 37 and also FIG. 38, an under surface 102 of upper beam 196 of I-beam retainer 192 secures cartridge buttress material 26 against staple containing cartridge 22. Opposed ends 204 and 206 of lower beam 198 of I-beam retainer 192 frictionally engage inner surfaces 100 of dummy pockets 78 to frictionally retain I-beam retainer 192 partially within staple containing cartridge 22.


With reference to FIGS. 39-42, operation of cartridge buttress retention system 190 functions similar to that of cartridge buttress retention systems 42 and 122 described herinabove. Initially, jaw assembly 16 is positioned about tissue T with anvil 20 is in the open position spaced apart from staple containing cartridge 22. Upon actuation of surgical stapler 10, driver 36 advances distally moving anvil 20 to the closed position (FIG. 40). Drive bar 118 advance distally engaging pushers 116 and driving staples 102 through cartridge buttress material 26, tissue T, anvil buttress material 24 and into staple clinching pockets 48 to clinch tips 112 and 114 of staples 102 over anvil buttress material 24 (FIG. 41). Upon movement of anvil 20 to the open position, anvil buttress material 24 pulls free from reverse staples 28. Lower beam 198 is sufficiently flexible to allow I-beam retainer 192 to pull free from dummy pocket 78 and remain affixed to cartridge buttress material 26 (FIG. 42).


The resultant tissue T, divided and stapled closed with staples 102 is shown in FIGS. 43 and 44. As shown, anvil buttress material 24 and cartridge buttress material 26 are stapled to tissue T thereby reinforcing the staple lines formed by staples 102 and sealing the tissues section T. In this manner, cartridge buttress retention system 190 allows cartridge buttress material 26 to be detachably retained on staple containing cartridge 22 and released upon stapling to tissue.


It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the disclosed retainers and methods are interchangeable for use in either the staple containing cartridge or anvil. Further, the disclosed methods and retention systems are not limited to stapling apparatus but may find application in other instruments and situations requiring material to be reseably retained on the surface of a surgical instrument. Additionally, the disclosed retainers can function as both buttress material retention devices and tissue connecting devices, i.e., “tissue staples” simultaneously. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims
  • 1. A method of applying buttress material to a surgical staple line, comprising the steps of: providing a surgical stapler having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil, the surgical stapler having a buttress material releasably disposed on at least one jaw and a plurality of retainers extending transversely across the buttress material and passing through the buttress material and into recesses formed in the at least one jaw; andactuating the surgical stapler to drive staples from the staple containing cartridge.
  • 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainers are reverse staples frictionally retained within the recesses.
  • 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainers are retained within the at least one jaw after the buttress material has been stapled to the tissue.
  • 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainers are retained on the buttress material after the buttress material has been stapled to the tissue.
  • 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the retainers are clips passing through the buttress material.
  • 6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein a surface of the clips engages the buttress material.
  • 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: urging at least one of the plurality of retainers out of a respective recess of the at least one jaw during a firing of the surgical stapler.
  • 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of retainers extends at least partially beyond a tissue contacting surface of at least one jaw, wherein a driver of the surgical stapler engages the at least one of the plurality of retainers out of a respective recess of the at least one jaw during a firing of the surgical stapler.
  • 9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of disposing tissue between the pair of jaws.
  • 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the staples are driven from the staple containing cartridge through the buttress and through the tissue.
  • 11. A method of applying a buttress material to a surgical staple line, comprising the steps of: providing a surgical stapler having a pair of jaws including a staple containing cartridge and an anvil;positioning a buttress material on at least one jaw; andinserting a plurality of retainers through the buttress material and into recesses formed in the at least one jaw, andwherein at least one retainer includes a portion that extends transversely over the buttress material when the plurality of retainers are disposed in the recesses formed in the at least one jaw.
  • 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the buttress material is releasably disposed on the at least one jaw.
  • 13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of positioning a buttress material on the at least one jaw further includes positioning a buttress material including a tissue contacting surface and a jaw contacting surface on the at least one jaw such that the jaw contacting surface abuts the at least one jaw.
  • 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of inserting a plurality of retainers further includes extending the plurality of retainers transversely across the tissue contacting surface of the buttress material to releasably retain the buttress material on the at least one jaw.
  • 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of inserting a plurality of retainers further includes positioning each of the plurality of retainers within a selected one of the recesses of at least one jaw so as to releasably retain the buttress material on the at least one jaw.
  • 16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: actuating the surgical stapler to drive staples contained in the staple containing cartridge through the buttress material and tissue captured between the pair of jaws and into the anvil so as to staple the buttress material to the tissue.
  • 17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: urging at least one of the plurality of retainers out of a respective recess of the at least one jaw during a firing of the surgical stapler.
  • 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of retainers extends at least partially beyond a tissue contacting surface of at least one jaw, wherein a driver of the surgical stapler engages the at least one of the plurality of retainers out of a respective recess of the at least one jaw during a firing of the surgical stapler.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Divisional Application claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/821,330, filed on Jun. 22, 2007, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

US Referenced Citations (172)
Number Name Date Kind
3054406 Usher Sep 1962 A
3124136 Usher Mar 1964 A
4347847 Usher Sep 1982 A
4354628 Green Oct 1982 A
4452245 Usher Jun 1984 A
4605730 Shalaby et al. Aug 1986 A
4655221 Devereux Apr 1987 A
4834090 Moore May 1989 A
4838884 Dumican et al. Jun 1989 A
4930674 Barak Jun 1990 A
5002551 Linsky et al. Mar 1991 A
5014899 Presty et al. May 1991 A
5040715 Green et al. Aug 1991 A
5065929 Schulze et al. Nov 1991 A
5205459 Brinkerhoff et al. Apr 1993 A
5263629 Trumbull et al. Nov 1993 A
5314471 Brauker et al. May 1994 A
5344454 Clarke et al. Sep 1994 A
5392979 Green et al. Feb 1995 A
5397324 Carroll et al. Mar 1995 A
5425745 Green et al. Jun 1995 A
5441193 Gravener Aug 1995 A
5441507 Wilk et al. Aug 1995 A
5468253 Bezwada et al. Nov 1995 A
5503638 Cooper et al. Apr 1996 A
5542594 McKean et al. Aug 1996 A
5549628 Cooper et al. Aug 1996 A
5575803 Cooper et al. Nov 1996 A
5653756 Clarke et al. Aug 1997 A
5683809 Freeman et al. Nov 1997 A
5690675 Sawyer et al. Nov 1997 A
5702409 Rayburn et al. Dec 1997 A
5752965 Francis et al. May 1998 A
5766188 Igaki Jun 1998 A
5769892 Kingwell Jun 1998 A
5782396 Mastri et al. Jul 1998 A
5799857 Robertson et al. Sep 1998 A
5810855 Rayburn et al. Sep 1998 A
5814057 Oi et al. Sep 1998 A
5833695 Yoon Nov 1998 A
5843096 Igaki et al. Dec 1998 A
5895415 Chow et al. Apr 1999 A
5902312 Frater et al. May 1999 A
5908427 McKean et al. Jun 1999 A
5915616 Viola et al. Jun 1999 A
5931847 Bittner et al. Aug 1999 A
5964774 McKean et al. Oct 1999 A
5997895 Narotam et al. Dec 1999 A
6019791 Wood Feb 2000 A
6032849 Mastri et al. Mar 2000 A
6045560 McKean et al. Apr 2000 A
6063097 Oi et al. May 2000 A
6080169 Turtel Jun 2000 A
6099551 Gabbay Aug 2000 A
6149667 Hovland et al. Nov 2000 A
6155265 Hammerslag Dec 2000 A
6210439 Firmin et al. Apr 2001 B1
6214020 Mulhauser et al. Apr 2001 B1
6241139 Millman et al. Jun 2001 B1
6258107 Balazs et al. Jul 2001 B1
6267772 Mulhauser et al. Jul 2001 B1
6273897 Dalessandro et al. Aug 2001 B1
6280453 Kugel et al. Aug 2001 B1
6299631 Shalaby Oct 2001 B1
6312457 DiMatteo et al. Nov 2001 B1
6312474 Francis et al. Nov 2001 B1
6325810 Hamilton et al. Dec 2001 B1
6436030 Rehil Aug 2002 B2
6454780 Wallace Sep 2002 B1
6461368 Fogarty et al. Oct 2002 B2
6503257 Grant et al. Jan 2003 B2
6514283 DiMatteo et al. Feb 2003 B2
6517566 Hovland et al. Feb 2003 B1
6551356 Rousseau Apr 2003 B2
6592597 Grant et al. Jul 2003 B2
6638285 Gabbay Oct 2003 B2
6652594 Francis et al. Nov 2003 B2
6656193 Grant et al. Dec 2003 B2
6669735 Pelissier Dec 2003 B1
6677258 Carroll et al. Jan 2004 B2
6685714 Rousseau Feb 2004 B2
6704210 Myers Mar 2004 B1
6723114 Shalaby Apr 2004 B2
6726706 Dominguez Apr 2004 B2
6736823 Darois et al. May 2004 B2
6736854 Vadurro et al. May 2004 B2
6746458 Cloud Jun 2004 B1
6773458 Brauker et al. Aug 2004 B1
6927315 Heinecke et al. Aug 2005 B1
7128748 Mooradian et al. Oct 2006 B2
7669747 Weisenburgh, II et al. Mar 2010 B2
20020016626 DiMatteo et al. Feb 2002 A1
20020019187 Carroll et al. Feb 2002 A1
20020028243 Masters Mar 2002 A1
20020052622 Rousseau May 2002 A1
20020091397 Chen Jul 2002 A1
20020133236 Rousseau Sep 2002 A1
20020138152 Francis et al. Sep 2002 A1
20020151911 Gabbay Oct 2002 A1
20020165559 Grant et al. Nov 2002 A1
20020165562 Grant et al. Nov 2002 A1
20020165563 Grant et al. Nov 2002 A1
20030065345 Weadock Apr 2003 A1
20030065346 Evens et al. Apr 2003 A1
20030083676 Wallace May 2003 A1
20030105510 DiMatteo et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030114866 Ulmsten et al. Jun 2003 A1
20030120284 Palacios Jun 2003 A1
20030167064 Whayne Sep 2003 A1
20030181927 Wallace Sep 2003 A1
20030183671 Mooradian et al. Oct 2003 A1
20030208231 Williamson, IV et al. Nov 2003 A1
20040034377 Sharkawy et al. Feb 2004 A1
20040092960 Abrams et al. May 2004 A1
20040093029 Zubik et al. May 2004 A1
20040107006 Francis et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040116945 Sharkawy et al. Jun 2004 A1
20040142621 Carroll et al. Jul 2004 A1
20040172048 Browning Sep 2004 A1
20040209059 Foss Oct 2004 A1
20040215214 Crews et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040215219 Eldridge et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040215221 Suyker et al. Oct 2004 A1
20040254590 Hoffman et al. Dec 2004 A1
20040260315 Dell et al. Dec 2004 A1
20050002981 Lahtinen et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050021026 Baily Jan 2005 A1
20050021053 Heinrich Jan 2005 A1
20050021085 Abrams et al. Jan 2005 A1
20050059996 Bauman et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050059997 Bauman et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050070929 Dalessandro et al. Mar 2005 A1
20050118435 DeLucia et al. Jun 2005 A1
20050143756 Jankowski Jun 2005 A1
20050149073 Arani et al. Jul 2005 A1
20050228446 Mooradian et al. Oct 2005 A1
20050245965 Orban et al. Nov 2005 A1
20060004407 Hiles et al. Jan 2006 A1
20060085034 Bettuchi Apr 2006 A1
20060135992 Bettuchi et al. Jun 2006 A1
20060173470 Oray et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060178683 Shimoji et al. Aug 2006 A1
20060212050 D'Agostino et al. Sep 2006 A1
20060271104 Viola et al. Nov 2006 A1
20070026031 Bauman et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070034669 de la Torre et al. Feb 2007 A1
20070049953 Shimoji et al. Mar 2007 A2
20070123839 Rousseau et al. May 2007 A1
20070179528 Soltz et al. Aug 2007 A1
20070203509 Bettuchi Aug 2007 A1
20070203510 Bettuchi Aug 2007 A1
20080029570 Shelton et al. Feb 2008 A1
20080082126 Murray et al. Apr 2008 A1
20080140115 Stopek Jun 2008 A1
20080161831 Bauman et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080161832 Bauman et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169327 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169328 Shelton Jul 2008 A1
20080169329 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169330 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169331 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169332 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20080169333 Shelton et al. Jul 2008 A1
20090076510 Bell et al. Mar 2009 A1
20090076528 Sgro Mar 2009 A1
20090206125 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206126 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206139 Hall et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206141 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206142 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20090206143 Huitema et al. Aug 2009 A1
20110087279 Shah et al. Apr 2011 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (28)
Number Date Country
1 99 24 311 Nov 2000 DE
199 24 311 Nov 2000 DE
0 594 148 Apr 1994 EP
1 520 525 Apr 2005 EP
1 702 570 Sep 2006 EP
1 759 640 Mar 2007 EP
1 815 804 Aug 2007 EP
1 994 890 Nov 2008 EP
2 008 595 Dec 2008 EP
2 198 787 Jun 2010 EP
2 236 098 Oct 2010 EP
2000-166933 Jun 2000 JP
07-124166 May 2007 JP
WO 9005489 May 1990 WO
WO 9622055 Jul 1996 WO
WO 9817180 Apr 1998 WO
WO 9945849 Sep 1999 WO
WO 03082126 Oct 2003 WO
WO 03105698 Dec 2003 WO
WO 2006023578 Mar 2006 WO
WO 2006044490 Apr 2006 WO
WO 2006083748 Aug 2006 WO
WO 2007121579 Nov 2007 WO
WO 2008057281 May 2008 WO
WO 2008109125 Sep 2008 WO
WO 2010075298 Jul 2010 WO
WO 2011143183 Nov 2011 WO
WO 2012044848 Apr 2012 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (11)
Entry
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 2229.6, completed on Feb. 23, 2012 and mailed on Mar. 1, 2012; 4 pages.
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 0511.9, completed on Apr. 16, 2012 and mailed on Apr. 24, 2012; 7 pages.
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 2541.4, completed on Apr. 23, 2012 and mailed on May 3, 2012; 10 pages.
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 5609.4, completed on Jul. 5, 2012 and mailed on Jul. 13, 2012; 8 pages.
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 15 8861.0, completed on Jul. 17, 2012 and mailed on Jul. 24, 2012; 9 pages.
International Search Report corresponding to European Application No. EP 12 16 5878.5, completed on Jul. 24, 2012 and mailed on Aug. 6, 2012; 8 pages.
International Search Report from Application EP 06016962.0, completed Jan. 3, 2007; mailed Jan. 11, 2007; 10 pages.
International Search Report from Application No. PCT/US05/36740, completed Feb. 20, 2007; mailed Mar. 23, 2007; 8 pages.
International Search Report from Application No. PCT/US2008/002981, completed Jun. 9, 2008; mailed Jun. 26, 2008; 2 pages.
International Search Report from Application No. EP 08 25 1779, completed Jul. 14, 2008; mailed Jul. 23, 2008; 5 pages.
European Search Report for EP 111883096-2310 date of completion is Dec. 15, 2011 (3 pages).
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20110036895 A1 Feb 2011 US
Divisions (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11821330 Jun 2007 US
Child 12915519 US