SURGICAL STAPLE HAVING AN EXPANDABLE PORTION
A surgical staple including features which can reduce bleeding from soft tissue. In various embodiments, the surgical staple can include at least one deformable member which can puncture a hole in soft tissue as it is inserted therethrough. The deformable member can include a material thereon, or can be comprised of a material, which can expand and substantially fill the puncture hole in the soft tissue. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the deformable member can be coated with a hydrophilic material which can expand when exposed to water, or other bodily fluids, and apply a compression force to the perimeter of the puncture hole. Such a compression force can reduce bleeding from the puncture hole and thereby reduce any potential complications resulting therefrom.
1 . A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
a staple cartridge body comprising:
a first side;
a second side;
a top surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities comprising a first group of staple cavities defined in said first side and a second group of staple cavities defined in said second side, wherein each staple cavity comprises an opening extending through said top surface, and wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows; and
a plurality of staples positionable within said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises:
a base comprised of a first material;
a first deformable member extending from said base, wherein at least a portion of said first deformable member is comprised of an expandable material; and
a crown at least partially surrounding said base, wherein said crown is comprised of a bioabsorbable material that is different from said first material.
2 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a driver, wherein said driver comprises at least one inclined surface configured to engage said staples and eject said staples from said staple cavities.
3 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a cutting member, wherein said staple cartridge body further comprises a longitudinal slot configured to receive said cutting member.
4 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a firing member configured to motivate said driver and said cutting member.
5 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 3 , wherein said first group of said staple cavities are arranged in two rows of staple cavities and said second group of staple cavities are arranged in two rows of staple cavities.
6 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 5 , wherein said rows of staple cavities are substantially parallel.
7 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said crown is comprised of a plastic material overmolded onto said base.
8 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said staples each comprise a second deformable member extending from said base, wherein said crown connects said first deformable member and said second deformable member before said crown has been absorbed, and wherein said first deformable member is unconnected to said second deformable member after said crown has been absorbed.
9 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first deformable member is comprised of a bioabsorbable material.
10 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said staples each comprise a second deformable member extending from said base and wherein at least a portion of said second deformable member is comprised of an expandable material.
11 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said expandable material includes a bioabsorbable material.
12 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said portion of said first deformable member is expandable between a first diameter and a second diameter.
13 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said crown is comprised of an expandable material.
14 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said first deformable member further comprises an end configured to pierce soft tissue and create a hole therein, and wherein said portion of said first deformable member is configured to expand within said hole.
15 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said expandable material comprises a hydrophilic material.
16 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bridges, wherein each said bridge connects at least two adjacent staples in said plurality of staples.
17 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 16 , wherein said bridges are comprised of said bioabsorbable material.
18 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first deformable member comprises a non-circular cross-section.
19 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an anvil, wherein said anvil is configured to deform said first and second deformable members when said staples are ejected from said staple cavities.
20 . A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said surgical stapler comprising a slidable cutting member, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
a staple cartridge body comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a first side;
a second side;
a slot extending between said first side and said second side, wherein said slot is configured to receive the cutting member;
a top surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities comprising a first row of staple cavities defined in said first side and a second row of staple cavities defined in said second side, wherein each staple cavity comprises an opening extending through said top surface, and wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows;
a plurality of staples positionable within said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises:
a base comprised of a first material;
a first deformable member extending from said base, wherein at least a portion of said first deformable member is comprised of an expandable material; and
a crown at least partially surrounding said base, wherein said crown is comprised of a bioabsorbable material that is different from said first material; and
a sled movable between said first end and said second end to eject said staples from said staple cavities.
21 . The staple cartridge assembly of claim 20 , wherein each said crown comprises a drive surface, and wherein said sled is configured to contact said drive surfaces.
22 . A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler, said staple cartridge assembly comprising:
a staple cartridge body comprising:
a first end;
a second end;
a first side;
a second side;
a slot extending between said first side and said second side, wherein said slot is configured to receive a cutting member;
a top surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities comprising a first row of staple cavities defined in said first side and a second row of staple cavities defined in said second side, wherein each staple cavity comprises an opening extending through said top surface, and wherein said plurality of staple cavities are arranged in a plurality of rows;
a plurality of staples positionable within said staple cavities, wherein each said staple comprises:
a base comprised of a first material;
a first deformable member extending from said base, wherein at least a portion of said first deformable member is comprised of an expandable material; and
a crown at least partially surrounding said base, wherein said crown is comprised of a bioabsorbable material that is different from said first material, wherein said crown comprises a tissue-contacting surface and a drive surface, and wherein said base is positioned between said compression surface and said drive surface; and
a sled movable between said first end and said second end to eject said staples from said staple cavities.