TISSUE THICKNESS COMPENSATOR COMPRISING STRUCTURE TO PRODUCE A RESILIENT LOAD
First Claim
1. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:
- a cartridge body;
a deformable tube positioned relative to said cartridge body, wherein said deformable tube comprises a resilient material; and
a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to engage a portion of said deformable tube when said fastener is moved to said fired position.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener cartridge assembly for an end effector of a surgical instrument can comprise a cartridge body, a deformable tube, and a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position. The deformable tube can be longitudinally positioned along a length of the cartridge body. When the fastener is moved to the fired position, the fastener can compress a portion of the deformable tube. The deformable tube can comprise a resilient material such that deformation of the deformable tube generates a restoring force. The deformable tube can comprise a lattice of strands woven together to form a tube wall. Further, the deformable tube can be bioabsorbable and can hold a therapeutic agent. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise multiple, substantially parallel deformable tubes positioned side-by-side and/or within each other.
380 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:
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a cartridge body; a deformable tube positioned relative to said cartridge body, wherein said deformable tube comprises a resilient material; and a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to engage a portion of said deformable tube when said fastener is moved to said fired position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A fastener cartridge for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:
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a cartridge body defining a longitudinal axis; a first plurality of strands woven into a resilient lattice, wherein said resilient lattice is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis; and fasteners moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein at least one said fastener is configured to compress a portion of said resilient lattice when said at least one fastener is moved to said fired position. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:
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an anvil; a fastener cartridge comprising; at least one row of fastener cavities; and fasteners moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein each fastener is positioned in a fastener cavity when each said fastener is in said initial position; and a tube, wherein said tube comprises a resilient material, and wherein said tube is substantially parallel to said at least one row of fastener cavities; wherein at least one said fastener, when moved to said fired position, is configured to deform a portion of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification