Surgical instrument with pressure distribution device

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a surgical apparatus, comprising an anvil jaw configured to form at least one surgical staple, a cartridge jaw configured to deploy one or more surgical staples against the anvil jaw, and a pressure distribution device attached to at least one of the anvil jaw and the cartridge jaw, wherein the pressure distribution device is configured to distribute a clamping pressure to a target tissue during a clamping and a stapling of the target tissue.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a first jaw;   a second jaw; and   a pressure distribution device including at least one flap attached to the first or second jaw, the at least one flap extending laterally from at least one side of the first or second jaw and distally beyond a distal end of the first or second jaw.   
     
     
         21 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the first jaw is an anvil jaw configured to form at least one surgical staple, and the second jaw is a cartridge jaw configured to deploy one or more surgical staples against the anvil jaw. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one flap is substantially U-shaped and extends laterally from opposed sides of the first or second jaw and wraps around the distal end of the first or second jaw. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one flap has a tissue facing surface that increases a surface area of a tissue facing surface of the first or second jaw. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the tissue facing surface of the at least one flap curves upwardly from an inner edge disposed adjacent to the first or second jaw to an outer edge of the at least one flap. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one flap has an outwardly facing surface that is substantially planar. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one flap decreases in thickness from the inner edge to the outer edge. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap extending from the first jaw and a second flap extending from the second jaw. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one flap is formed from a high durometer rubber, a shape memory material, a foam, a gel, a plastic, or a spring loaded plastic. 
     
     
         29 . A surgical apparatus, comprising:
 a first jaw including a tissue facing surface;   a second jaw including a tissue facing surface; and   a first flap coupled to the first jaw, the first flap extending laterally from at least one side of the first jaw and distally beyond a distal end of the first jaw to increase a surface area of the tissue facing surface of the first jaw.   
     
     
         30 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the first flap is substantially U-shaped and extends laterally from opposed sides of the first jaw and wraps around the distal end of the first jaw. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the tissue facing surfaces of the first and second jaws are planar, and a tissue facing surface of the flap is non-planar. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 29 , further comprising a second flap coupled to the second jaw. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical apparatus according to  claim 32 , wherein the first and second flaps are of identical size and shape. 
     
     
         34 . A method of performing a surgical procedure comprising:
 clamping tissue between first and second jaws of a surgical apparatus such that at least one flap of a pressure distribution device that is attached to the first or second jaw and extends laterally from at least one side of the first or second jaw and distally beyond a distal end of the first or second jaw increases a surface area of a tissue contacting surface of the first or second jaw.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the at least one flap includes a first flap extending from the first jaw and a second flap extending from the second jaw such that clamping of the tissue distributes a clamping load away from hard edges of the first and second jaws.