Ethicon, Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Donald L Reynolds, Ii

Michael J Vendely

Taylor W Aronhalt

Frederick E Shelton, IV

Emily A Schellin

Trevor J Barton

Richard W Flaker

Anil K Nalagatla

Lauren S Weaner

Jackie J Donners

Mark D Timmer

Lee K Kulle

Tommy C Cushing

Louis Sabo

Christopher W Widenhouse

Randy R Stephens

Michael J Miller

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.

Implantable layers and methods for altering one or more properties of implantable layers for use with fastening instruments

A fastener cartridge assembly for use with a surgical end effector. The fastener cartridge assembly can comprise a cartridge body, fasteners, and a layer of material releasably secured to the cartridge body. The layer of material can be a tissue thickness compensator. The cartridge body, the fasteners, the tissue thickness compensator and/or the end effector can comprise various features to releasably secure the tissue thickness compensator relative to the cartridge body. For example, the cartridge body can comprise slots, projections, cavities, drivers, locks, and/or keys, the fasteners can comprise barbs, and/or the tissue thickness compensator can comprise mounts and/or connectors.

Releasable tissue thickness compensator and fastener cartridge having the same

A method is disclosed for altering a implantable layer which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprising a surface at least partially comprised from a material with a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the surface to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the surface, allowing the manipulated surface to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the surface.

Implantable layers and methods for altering implantable layers for use with surgical fastening instruments

A method is disclosed for altering an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprised at least partially from a material including a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, wherein the implantable layer includes a first shape, heating the material to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the implantable layer to a second shape different than the first shape, allowing the material to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.

Implantable layers and methods for modifying the shape of the implantable layers for use with a surgical fastening instrument

A bite block that is inserted into a patient's mouth during an endoscopic diagnostic or surgical procedure that has a channel for receiving an endoscope or other surgical instrument through the patient's mouth and additional channels transmitting a gas to the patient and transmitting expired gas from the patient.

Endoscopic bite block for use with cannula

Oral/nasal cannula

Connector for oral nasal cannula

Growing community of inventors

West Chester, OH, United States of America

Donald L Reynolds, Ii