The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 14, 2017
Filed:
Feb. 08, 2013
Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US);
Taylor W. Aronhalt, Loveland, OH (US);
Michael J. Vendely, Lebanon, OH (US);
Brandon J. Lloyd, Maineville, OH (US);
Michael J. Miller, Mason, OH (US);
Michael E. Setser, Burlington, KY (US);
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US);
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC, Guaynabo, PR (US);
Abstract
A fastener cartridge can comprise a cartridge body and a layer, such as a tissue thickness compensator, for example, releasably attached to the cartridge body. The tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible first portion and a second support portion. The second portion can be rigid and can support the first portion when mounted thereto. The properties of the first portion and/or the second portion can be selected so as to prevent the premature deflection and release from the cartridge body. The fastener cartridge can further comprise one or more attachment portions configured to releasably hold the tissue thickness compensator to the cartridge body. The attachment portions can be configured to permit a firing member to pass therethrough. In some circumstances, the tissue thickness compensator can be configured to hold the firing member in an unfired position until a sufficient firing force has been applied to the firing member.