IMPLANTABLE LAYERS AND METHODS FOR ALTERING ONE OR MORE PROPERTIES OF IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR USE WITH FASTENING INSTRUMENTS
First Claim
1. A method for changing the spring rate of a tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical instrument, said method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprising a first spring rate, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is at least partially comprised of a material having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;
heating said tissue thickness compensator to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;
deforming said tissue thickness compensator to change said first spring rate to a second spring rate, wherein said second spring rate is different than said first spring rate;
allowing said tissue thickness compensator to cool below said glass transition temperature; and
releasing said tissue thickness compensator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is disclosed for changing the spring rate of an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer having a first spring rate, wherein the implantable layer is at least partially comprised of a material having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the implantable layer to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, deforming the implantable layer to change the first spring rate to a second spring rate, wherein the second spring rate is different than the first spring rate, allowing the implantable layer to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for changing the spring rate of a tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical instrument, said method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprising a first spring rate, wherein said tissue thickness compensator is at least partially comprised of a material having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature; heating said tissue thickness compensator to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature; deforming said tissue thickness compensator to change said first spring rate to a second spring rate, wherein said second spring rate is different than said first spring rate; allowing said tissue thickness compensator to cool below said glass transition temperature; and releasing said tissue thickness compensator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for producing a biocompatible foam for use with a surgical stapler, said method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature; dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution; lyophilizing said solution to produce a biocompatible foam comprising an original density; heating said biocompatible foam to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature; manipulating at least a portion of said biocompatible foam to alter said original density to a modified density; allowing said material to cool below said glass transition temperature; and releasing said biocompatible foam. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for altering a biocompatible material for use with a surgical instrument, wherein said biocompatible material has a less than one hundred percent dense composition, and wherein said biocompatible material has an original porosity, said method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining said biocompatible material; transitioning a portion of said biocompatible material from a non-glassy state to a glassy state; applying a force to said portion to alter said original porosity to a modified porosity; allowing said portion to return to said non-glassy state; and removing said force. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification