Cilag International Gmbh

Ethicon, Gmbh

Pamela M Ridgley

Michael J Vendely

Mark S Zeiner

Heather Strang

Jason L Harris

Gregory J Bakos

Frederick E Shelton, IV

Emily A Schellin

Trevor J Barton

Christopher J Hess

Christopher A Denzinger

Christopher Q Seow

Rebecca Spatholt

John V Hunt

David T Krumanaker

Prudence A Vulhop

Daniel J Mumaw

Clinton W Denlinger

Jordan B Wong

Tony C Siebel

William C Ryle

Evan N Stambler

Tiffany M Warner

Mark T Larson

Emily A Scheliin

Kirsten N W Chenery

Omar Z McGiveron

A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.

Method of applying buttresses to surgically cut and stapled sites

An apparatus includes a body having an interior space sized and shaped to receive a surgical stapler end effector in an open state in combination with an adjunct applicator that includes an adjunct. The apparatus further includes a closure member movably coupled with the body. The closure member is actuatable to close the surgical stapler end effector onto the adjunct applicator so that the adjunct is applied to a stapling surface of the surgical stapler end effector.

Buttress applicator system for surgical stapler

An apparatus includes a body with a first body portion, a second body portion opposed from the first body portion, and a connecting portion that couples a proximal end of the first body portion with a proximal end of the second body portion. The connecting portion is configured to permit the first and second body portions to move toward and away from one another between a plurality of angular orientations. The first and second body portions define a distally opening angle. A first adjunct element and a second adjunct element are disposed on outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions may be fixed in each of the angular orientations and may simultaneously apply the first and second adjunct elements to first and second jaws, respectively, of a surgical stapler end effector.

Apparatus and method to apply buttress to end effector of surgical stapler via fixed base

A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.

Method of applying buttress to end effector of surgical stapler

An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to at least one of a first stapling surface or a second stapling surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus includes a contact structure defining a longitudinal axis and an expansion mechanism. The contact structure includes a first contact member configured to support a first portion of the adjunct material and a second contact member movably coupled with the first contact member that is configured to support a second portion of the adjunct material. The first and second contact members are configured to move away from one another in opposing directions to apply the first portion of the adjunct material to the first stapling surface and the second portion of the adjunct material to the second stapling surface. The expansion mechanism is selectively operable to transition the contact structure from a non-expanded state toward the expanded state.

Apparatus and method to apply buttress to end effector of surgical stapler via driven member

An apparatus includes: (a) at least one platform configured to be positioned between opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the at least one platform is configured to transition between a first state and a second state; (b) at least one adjunct element positioned on the at least one platform; (c) at least one detector configured to detect a predetermined portion of the end effector; and (d) a driver configured to selectively transition the at least one platform from the first state to the second state in a direction toward at least one of the first or second jaws when the at least one detector detects the predetermined portion of the end effector for placing the at least one adjunct element in contact with a corresponding surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws.

Apparatus and method to detect full seating of buttress applicator in end effector of surgical stapler

An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to a stapling surface of a jaw of a surgical stapler. The jaw includes an outer surface disposed opposite the stapling surface. The apparatus includes a housing and an arm. The housing includes a first contact feature that is configured to contact one of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The arm is operatively coupled with the housing. The arm includes a second contact feature that is configured to move relative to the first contact feature to contact the other of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The first and second contact features are configured to cooperate to apply a compression force in a direction toward the first contact feature to pinch the adjunct material against the stapling surface to mount the adjunct material to the stapling surface.

Apparatus and method to apply buttresses separately to jaws of end effector of surgical stapler

An apparatus includes a platform, an adjunct material, and an engagement feature. The platform includes an upper support and a lower support. The adjunct material is positioned on the upper support or the lower support. The upper support is configured to move relative to the lower support to apply the adjunct material to a jaw of an end effector incorporated into a surgical stapler. The engagement feature is configured to interact with a predetermined portion of the end effector to permit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support and thereby apply the adjunct material to the jaw of the end effector. The engagement feature is further configured to inhibit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support when the engagement feature is disengaged from the predetermined portion of the end effector.

Apparatus and method to apply buttress to end effector of surgical stapler with authentication

Buttress assembly for a surgical stapler

A buttress applier cartridge assembly includes buttress assemblies and a buttress applier cartridge for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform that extends longitudinally and supports the buttress assemblies, and an opening configured to accommodate a curved tip of the end effector when clamping the end effector onto the platform to transfer the buttress assemblies to the end effector.

Curved tip surgical stapler buttress assembly applicator with opening feature for curved tip alignment

Applicator for a surgical stapler buttress

A buttress assembly for use with a surgical stapled site has a buttress and an adhesive on one side of the buttress. The adhesive on the buttress is applied in a pattern where the adhesive extends near or along the edges of the buttress while a center region of the buttress remains relatively free of adhesive. The adhesive is applied such that it extends continuously along the buttress and has a height such that the adhesive creates a sealing attachment with an end effector. The adhesive can be applied in an uneven distribution such that there is more adhesive applied at one end of the buttress than the other. The adhesive can also be applied in a symmetric or asymmetric distribution about a longitudinal axis of the buttress.

Adhesive distribution on buttress for surgical stapler

A surgical system and related methods includes a buttress applier cartridge, a first buttress assembly, and a second buttress assembly. The buttress applier cartridge has a housing and a platform. The first and second buttress assemblies respectively includes first and second buttresses and first and second adhesive layers thereon. The first adhesive layer is parallel to the first buttress and defines a first adhesive pattern having a first outer adhesive profile. The second adhesive layer is parallel to the second buttress and defines a second adhesive pattern having a second outer adhesive profile. The exposed second outer adhesive profile in the transverse direction is the same as the exposed first outer adhesive profile in an opposite transverse direction such that the first and second buttress assemblies are interchangeable with the first and second portions of the end effector of the surgical instrument.

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Lebanon, OH, United States of America

Pamela M Ridgley