Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Ethicon, Gmbh

Cilag International Gmbh

Stephanie A Mutchler

Frederick E Shelton, IV

William Bruce Weisenburgh, Ii

Gary W Knight

Christopher W Widenhouse

Chester O Baxter, Iii

John L Stammen

Katherine J Schmid

Charles J Scheib

Michael S Cropper

Mark H Ransick

Jeffrey S Swayze

Taylor W Aronhalt

Gregory W Johnson

Sean P Conlon

Bret William Smith

Christopher C Miller

John P Measamer

Cortney E Henderson

Johnny H Alexander, Iii

Timothy S Bedard

Richard William Timm

Jeffrey L Aldridge

Tamara S Widenhouse

Chunlin Yang

Mark D Timmer

Matthew M Lang

Samuel P Tidwell

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 staple cartridge assembly comprising a tissue thickness compensator is disclosed. The tissue thickness compensator comprises a first fibrous, woven material and a second fibrous, woven material. The first fibrous, woven material comprises a density which is different than the density of the second fibrous, woven material. The tissue thickness compensator is configured to expand upon contact with a fluid in order to apply a compressive force to tissue captured within staples.

Layer of material for a surgical end effector

Tissue thickness compensators for use with circular surgical staplers. Various tissue thickness compensators are disclosed for deployment between a stapler head of a surgical circular stapler and an anvil attached thereto to accommodate variances in tissue thickness during stapling. Some tissue thickness compensator arrangements include means and configurations for deploying healing agents for enhancing the healing process.

Tissue thickness compensators for surgical staplers

A two-part tissue thickness compensator assembly can include a first tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to an anvil of a surgical stapler, a second tissue thickness compensator configured to be positioned relative to a staple cartridge of the surgical stapler, and a hinge connecting the first tissue thickness compensator to the second tissue thickness compensator. The first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include additional engagement features, such as a raised ridge that engages a slot in the anvil and/or the staple cartridge. In certain embodiments, the first and/or second tissue thickness compensators may include an encasement that contains a suitable biologic agent. An end effector assembly may be provided for attachment to a surgical instrument that includes, for example, a staple cartridge, an anvil, a first tissue thickness compensator positioned on the anvil, and a second tissue thickness compensator positioned on the staple cartridge.

Tissue thickness compensators

Tissue thickness compensators for circular surgical staplers

A tissue thickness compensator may generally comprise a biocompatible material, a first component, and a second component, wherein the first component and second component form a reaction product to expand the tissue thickness compensator. The first component may comprise a first hydrogel precursor, the second component may comprise a second hydrogel precursor, and the reaction product may comprise a hydrogel. The reaction product may be formed in vivo and/or in situ by contacting the first component and the second component. The first component and/or second component may be encapsulated and configured to release the components when ruptured. 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.

Expandable tissue thickness compensator

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a film body formed from a continuous extruded shape and, in addition, a fibrous medicament core.

Tissue thickness compensator and method for making the same

Growing community of inventors

Loveland, OH, United States of America

Stephanie A Mutchler