Implantable layers comprising a pressed region

• US 9,693,777 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Weaner, Lauren S., Aronhalt, Taylor W., Schellin, Emily A., Vendely, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US14/187,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,226 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07292 Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/04 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/00 Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor by liberation of internal stresses B29C61/006
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/52 : Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 55/00 : Shaping by stretching, e.g. drawing through a die; Apparatus therefor B29C61/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 67/20 : for porous or cellular articles, e.g. of foam plastics, coarse-pored chemical aspects of working up macro-molecular substances to porous or cellular articles C08J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 : cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0056 : Biocompatible, e.g. biopolymers or bioelastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/7546 : Surgical equipment

Abstract

A staple cartridge is disclosed which includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples removably stored, at least partially, within the cartridge body, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include a first portion, a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and a third portion intermediate the first portion and the second portion, the third portion including a pressed region.

Claims

1. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored, at least partially, within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator, said tissue thickness compensator comprising;

a first portion;

a second portion spaced apart from said first portion; and

a third portion intermediate said first portion and said second portion, said third portion comprising a pressed region, wherein said pressed region comprises a slot defined therethrough.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said pressed region is thermally pressed.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein said slot extends longitudinally between said first portion and said second portion.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 3, wherein said third portion comprises a biocompatible foam.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said thermally pressed region is formed by inserting a space creator into said biocompatible foam.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said space creator is configured to melt through said biocompatible foam.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 6, wherein said space creator comprises a wire.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said slot comprises a width between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said width is defined by a diameter of said wire.

9. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a plurality of fasteners removably stored, at least partially, within said cartridge body; and

a tissue thickness compensator, said tissue thickness compensator comprising;

a first portion;

a second portion spaced a part from said first portion; and

a third portion intermediate said first portion and said second portion, said third portion comprising a slot defined by a thermally removed region of said third portion.

10. The fastener cartridge of claim 9, wherein said slot extends longitudinally between said first portion and said second portion.

11. The fastener cartridge of claim 10, wherein said third portion comprises a biocompatible foam.

12. The fastener cartridge of claim 11, wherein said thermally removed region is formed by inserting a space creator into said biocompatible foam.

13. The fastener cartridge of claim 12, wherein said space creator is configured to melt through said biocompatible foam.

14. The fastener cartridge of claim 13, wherein said space creator comprises a wire.

15. The fastener cartridge of claim 14, wherein said slot comprises a width between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said width is defined by a diameter of said wire.

16. A staple cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored, at least partially, within said cartridge body; and

a biocompatible foam, said biocompatible foam comprising;

a first portion;

a second portion spaced a part from said first portion; and

a third portion intermediate said first portion and said second portion, said third portion comprised of at least one material, wherein said third portion comprises a valley created by melting said at least one material.

17. The staple cartridge of claim 16, wherein said valley is created by inserting a heated space creator into said third portion.

18. The staple cartridge of claim 17, wherein said heated space creator comprises a wire.

19. The staple cartridge of claim 18, wherein said space valley comprises a width between said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said width is defined by a diameter of said wire.