Resistive heated surgical staple cartridge with phase change sealant

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
(a) an instrument comprising:
(i) a handle portion,(ii) an end effector comprising:
(1) a lower jaw,(2) a pivotable anvil; and (b) a staple cartridge insertable into the end effector, the staple cartridge comprising:
(i) a cartridge body having an upper deck, the upper deck comprising:
(1) a vertical slot formed in the upper deck and extending longitudinally from a proximal end of the upper deck, wherein a cutting edge is translatable longitudinally through the vertical slot, and(2) a plurality of staple apertures,(ii) one or more staple drivers vertically translatable relative to the cartridge body, wherein each staple driver includes a driver channel configured to provide a pathway for fluid communication,(iii) a plurality of staples disposed above the one or more staple drivers, wherein the plurality of staples are vertically translatable relative to the cartridge body,(iv) a resistive member disposed within the cartridge body,(v) a medical fluid having at least a portion in communication with the resistive member, wherein the resistive member is operable to provide communication of the medical fluid through the driver channels of the one or more staple drivers.