METHODS FOR FORMING TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS
First Claim
1. A tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical staple cartridge having a non-coplanar staple cartridge deck, the tissue thickness compensator comprising a body portion including a surface profile that substantially matches the non-coplanar surface of the surgical staple cartridge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Tissue thickness compensators for use with surgical staplers that are configured to form staples having different formed heights. Various tissue thickness compensators are disclosed that have non-uniform cross-sectional thicknesses or profiles. The tissue thickness compensators may be formed with a surface that matches a non-planar surface of the anvil or the staple cartridge deck. Methods of forming tissue thickness compensators with non-uniform cross-sectional thicknesses or profiles are also disclosed.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical staple cartridge having a non-coplanar staple cartridge deck, the tissue thickness compensator comprising a body portion including a surface profile that substantially matches the non-coplanar surface of the surgical staple cartridge.
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5. A surgical stapling device, comprising:
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a surgical staple cartridge including a deck surface and housing a plurality of surgical staples configured to be formed with different formed heights; an anvil including a staple-forming surface and being movably supported relative to the surgical staple cartridge such that the staple-forming surface may be positioned in confronting relationship relative to the staple deck surface; and a tissue thickness compensator including a non-uniform cross-sectional thickness and being positioned between the staple forming surface of the anvil and the staple deck surface. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for forming a tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical stapling device comprising:
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suspending a bioabsorbable polymer material into a solvent to form a solution; placing the solution into a mold cavity; freezing the solution; placing a biocompatible air permeable material onto an exposed surface of the frozen solution; reducing pressure on the solution; permitting the solution to warm and sublimate through the air permeable material to form a foam body within the cavity; and removing the foam body from the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification