Medical devices and methods useful for applying bolster material
View Patent ↗Described are medical devices useful for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening device such as a stapler, and related methods of manufacture and use. The devices include an applicator element for receipt between arms of the stapler, and a bolster material, desirably a remodelable extracellular matrix material, coupled to the applicator element. In certain embodiments, the bolster material is held by the applicator element, for example having at least a portion looped around or received through or over a portion of the applicator element. Also described are unique implantable materials including coatings of dried, reversible adhesive.
1. A medical device for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening apparatus having opposed arm surfaces, comprising:
an applicator element for receipt between the opposed arm surfaces; and
a closed loop of bolster material positioned around the applicator element;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a width and a thickness, said width being greater than said thickness;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a first surface that extends across said width of said closed loop of bolster material and faces said applicator element;
wherein the applicator element is comprised of a compressible material constructed and arranged to be compressed by the opposed arm surfaces of the surgical fastening apparatus during application of the bolster material to the opposed arm surfaces; and
wherein the bolster material comprises collagen.
2. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein said bolster material is coupled to said applicator element by bonding with a bonding agent applied between said bolster material and said applicator element.
3. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the applicator element includes at least one weakened area adapted for creating a separation in the applicator element.
4. The medical device of claim 3 , wherein the weakened area is a score in the applicator element.
5. The medical device of claim 4 , wherein the compressible material is a polymer foam.
6. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the applicator element is made of a material susceptible to manual tearing.
7. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein the loop of bolster material includes at least one premanufactured disruption point.
8. The medical device of claim 7 , wherein the premanufactured disruption point includes first and second ends releasably connected to one another.
9. The medical device of claim 7 , wherein the premanufactured disruption point includes a weakened portion of the bolster material.
10. The medical device of claim 9 , wherein the weakened portion includes perforations.
11. The medical device of claim 1 , wherein said applicator element includes at least one lateral portion adapted for grasping when the applicator element is received between the opposed arm surfaces.
12. A medical device for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening apparatus having opposed arm surfaces, comprising:
an applicator element for receipt between the opposed arm surfaces; and
a closed loop of bolster material positioned around the applicator element;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a width and a thickness, said width being greater than said thickness;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a first surface that extends across said width of said closed loop of bolster material and faces said applicator element;
wherein the applicator element is comprised of a compressible material constructed and arranged to be compressed by the opposed arm surfaces of the surgical fastening apparatus during application of the bolster material to the opposed arm surfaces; and
wherein the bolster material comprises an extracellular matrix material.
13. The medical device of claim 12 , wherein the extracellular matrix material comprises submucosa.
14. The medical device of claim 13 , wherein the submucosa is small intestinal submucosa.
15. The medical device of claim 14 , wherein the small intestinal submucosa is porcine.
16. A medical device for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening apparatus having opposed arm surfaces, comprising:
an applicator element for receipt between the opposed arm surfaces; and
a closed loop of bolster material positioned around the applicator element;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a width and a thickness, said width being greater than said thickness;
wherein said closed loop of bolster material has a first surface that extends across said width of said closed loop of bolster material and faces said applicator element;
wherein the applicator element is comprised of a compressible material constructed and arranged to be compressed by the opposed arm surfaces of the surgical fastening apparatus during application of the bolster material to the opposed arm surfaces; and
wherein the applicator element includes a body portion and an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion extends from the body portion, wherein the bolster material defines at least a first aperture, and wherein said engaging portion is received through said aperture.
17. The medical device of claim 16 , wherein:
said bolster material also defines at least a second aperture;
said bolster material is wrapped around said applicator element; and said engaging portion is received through said first aperture and said second aperture.