Powered stapler having varying staple heights and sizes

Abstract

A loading unit of a powered surgical stapling instrument includes anvil and cartridge assemblies. The anvil assembly includes a first tissue contacting surface, and the cartridge assembly includes a second tissue contacting surface, a first plurality of staples, a second plurality of staples, and a plurality of pushers. The second tissue contacting surface defines a knife channel partitioning the second tissue contacting surface into first and second portions. Each of the first and second portions includes an inner tissue contacting surface and an outer tissue contacting surface. The inner tissue contacting surface defines a first row of retention slots. The inner tissue contacting surface and the first tissue contacting surface define a first tissue gap. The outer tissue contacting surface defines a second row of retention slots. The outer tissue contacting surface and the first tissue contacting surface define a second tissue gap larger than the first tissue gap.

Description

BACKGROUNDTechnical Field[0001]The present disclosure relates to surgical stapling instruments and, more particularly, to powered surgical stapling instruments including a loading unit configured to provide a variable pressure gradient to layers of tissue clamped between anvil and cartridge assemblies of the loading unit.Background of Related Art[0002]There are several known types of surgical stapling instruments specifically adapted for use in various procedures such as end-to-end anastomosis, gastrointestinal anastomosis, endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis, and transverse anastomosis. These surgical stapling instruments typically include a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge assembly has one or more laterally spaced rows of staples which, depending on the particular stapling instrument, may be arranged in a linear or non-linear configuration. The anvil assembly includes staple forming depressions which are aligned with and / or in registration with the stapl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure is about a powered surgical stapling instrument that aims to improve the strength of the anastomosis (the connection between tissue) and the degree of hemostasis (the degree of stopping bleeding) at the tissue interface. The instrument includes a powered handle assembly, a powered adapter assembly, and a loading unit releasably secured to the powered handle assembly. The loading unit includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes a tissue contacting surface, a first plurality of unformed staples, and a second plurality of unformed staples. The tissue contacting surface has a knife channel that separates it into first and second portions. The first portion includes a first tissue contacting surface and a second tissue contacting surface that is larger than the first tissue contacting surface. The second tissue contacting surface is stepped. The instrument also includes a first plurality of staple retention slots and a second plurality of staple retention slots that apply different levels of pressure to the tissue. The second plurality of staples has a longer unformed leg length than the first plurality of staples. The instrument provides a better balance between the strength of the anastomosis and the degree of hemostasis.

Problems solved by technology

A common issue in transecting tissue and / or in anastomosis procedures is achieving optimal balance between anastomotic strength and hemostasis.

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