Tissue thickness compensator comprising resilient members

US9480476B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Jeffrey L. Aldridge · Lebanon, US
• Chunlin Yang · Montgomery, US
• Charles J. Scheib · Loveland, US
• Venkataramanan Mandakolathur Vasudevan · Cincinnati, US
• Taylor W. Aronhalt · Loveland, US
• Joseph H. Contiliano · Stewartsville, US
• Michael S. Cropper · Edgewood, US
• Eugene L. Timperman · Cincinnati, US
• Cortney E. Henderson · Loveland, US
• Katherine J. Schmid · Loveland, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 28, 2012
• Grant date: Nov 1, 2016
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F04C2270/0421
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A tissue thickness compensator comprising at least one woven lattice can be positioned in the end effector of a surgical instrument. A fastener cartridge that is positioned in the end effector can comprise at least one cavity configured to receive a fastener. The fastener can be moveable between an initial position, wherein the fastener is at least partially position in a cavity, and a fired position, wherein the fastener is configured to compress a woven lattice of the tissue thickness compensator. The woven lattice can comprise a resilient material such that compression of the woven lattice generates a restoring force. The woven lattice can also comprise an axis that can laterally traverse the fastener cartridge, diagonally traverse the fastener cartridge, or intersect a deck surface of the fastener cartridge. The woven lattice can comprise a hydrophilic substance, which can expand when the woven lattice is severed by a cutting element.