Biovascular, Inc.

Robert P Nelson

Kemal Schankereli

Joel Cooper

Kristine M Teich

Sally L Winegar-Hentges

A prosthetic article for surgical implantation within the body of a host in a surgical stapling procedure comprises a strip of host-tissue-compatible animal tissue material that is initially removably affixed between the spaced-apart legs a U-shaped buttress member to create a tubular configuration that can readily slip over the jaws of a conventional surgical stapler. When the staple gun is fired, the staples penetrate through the strips of animal tissue and the host tissue and thus serve to reinforce the staple line. Because the buttress member is releasibly attached to the strip of animal tissue, the buttress member can be readily separated and discarded following the firing of a staple gun.

Soft tissue stapling buttress

To reinforce a line of surgical staples in host tissue, a strip of xenogeneic or autogenic tissue, such as cross-linked pericardium or dura mater harvested from horses, cows, pigs, sheep and humans, is appropriately adhered to the apposed surfaces of a staple cartridge supporting jaw and an anvil jaw of a surgical staple gun so that when tissue to be excised is positioned between the jaws and the staple gun is fired, the staples will penetrate the two layers of animal tissue and the intervening host tissue. Actuation of the cutting blade on the stapler or the use of a separate cutting instrument severs the tissue and the two layers of animal tissue along the staple line. When used in performing a lung reduction procedure, the animal tissue reinforcing strips create an air-tight seal about the staples preventing air leaks. The structure for holding the bovine pericardium strips may include a buttress member formed from a nonwoven polyethylene sheet material to which the pericardium or dura mater strips is attached using a basting stitch.

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Orono, MN, United States of America

Robert P Nelson