Cilag International Gmbh

Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Samuel P Tidwell

Frederick E Shelton, IV

Chester O Baxter, Iii

Jeffrey S Swayze

Charles J Scheib

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

Richard L Leimbach

Gary W Knight

Christopher W Widenhouse

Joshua R Uth

John L Stammen

Stephanie A Mutchler

A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a first layer comprising a first biocompatible material sealingly enclosed in a water impermeable material and a second layer comprising a second biocompatible material comprising at least one encapsulation, wherein the first biocompatible material expands when contacted with a fluid. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a haemostatic agent, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic agent, anti-microbial agent, an anti-adhesion agent, an anti-coagulant agent, a medicament, and/or pharmaceutically active agent. The encapsulation may comprise a biodegradable material to degrade in vivo and/or in situ. The tissue thickness compensator may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may comprise a fluid-swellable composition. Articles of manufacture comprising the tissue thickness compensator and methods of making and using the tissue thickness compensator are also described.

Tissue thickness compensator comprising controlled release and expansion

A cutting blade for a surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed therein. The cutting blade can include one or more features to direct or displace substances released from within the tissue thickness compensators used with the surgical instrument. The cutting blade may include a textured surface that can cause substances from the tissue thickness compensator to spread across the blade surface.

Movable member for use with a tissue thickness compensator

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Samuel P Tidwell