Resistive heated surgical staple cartridge with phase change sealant

US8998060B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Dean B. Bruewer · Lancaster, US
• Cory G. Kimball · Cincinnati, US
• Katherine J. Schmid · Loveland, US
• Brett E. Swensgard · West Chester, US
• William A. Daunch · Cary, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 13, 2011
• Grant date: Apr 7, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/2927
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for endosurgical use includes an instrument having an end effector and a staple cartridge insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes staples, staple apertures, a resistive member, and a medical fluid. When coupled to a power source, the medical fluid is vaporized by the resistive member and expelled out the staple apertures onto the stapled tissue. The power source may be contained within the instrument. In one configuration, a resistive strip with strip contacts may electrically couple to a conductor in the end effector. The medical fluid may also be divided into a plurality of sealant pads corresponding to the staple apertures, and the medical fluid may be a depolymerizable cyanoacrylate, a sprayable thermoplastic urethane, or any vaporizable medicament or pharmaceutical. The staple drivers may include one or more apertures to permit the medical fluid to pass through or around the staple drivers.