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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9839422-B2
Application number	US-201414187383-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 24, 2014
Priority date	Feb 24, 2014
Publication date	Dec 12, 2017
Grant date	Dec 12, 2017

Abstract

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.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for producing a biocompatible foam for use with a surgical stapler, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;
dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution;
lyophilizing said solution to produce a biocompatible foam;
heating said biocompatible foam to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;
inserting a space creator into said biocompatible foam in order to define a space in said biocompatible foam;
allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said glass transition temperature; and
removing said space creator, wherein said biocompatible foam retains said space after removing said space creator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said space creator comprises a central beam insertable into said biocompatible foam.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said space creator comprises a plurality of protrusions insertable into said biocompatible foam.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of protrusions is arranged in rows.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein said plurality of protrusions comprises a plurality of pins, wherein said space creator comprises a surface, and wherein each of said plurality of pins extends from said surface in parallel to each other.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said each of said plurality of pins extends from said surface along an axis that is perpendicular to said surface.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of actively cooling said biocompatible foam to return below said glass transition temperature.

8. A method for altering a biocompatible foam, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a biocompatible foam comprising a melting temperature;
heating a space creator to a temperature at least equal to said melting temperature of said biocompatible foam;
inserting said space creator into said biocompatible foam in order to define a space in said biocompatible foam;
allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said melting temperature; and
removing said space creator, wherein said biocompatible foam retains said space after removing said space creator.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said space creator comprises a central beam insertable into said biocompatible foam.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said space creator comprises a plurality of protrusions insertable into said biocompatible foam.

11. A method for producing a biocompatible foam for use with a surgical stapler, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a biocompatible polymer comprising a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature;
dissolving said biocompatible polymer in a solvent to produce a solution;
lyophilizing said solution to produce a biocompatible foam;
heating said biocompatible foam to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;
inserting a beam into said biocompatible foam in order to create a slot in said biocompatible foam;
allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said glass transition temperature; and
removing said beam from said biocompatible foam, wherein said biocompatible foam retains said slot after removing said beam.

12. A method for altering a biocompatible foam, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a biocompatible foam comprising a melting temperature;
heating a space creator to a temperature at least equal to said melting temperature of said biocompatible foam;
inserting a plurality of protrusions into said biocompatible foam in order to create a plurality of cavities;
allowing said biocompatible foam to cool below said melting temperature; and
removing said plurality of protrusions, wherein said biocompatible foam retains said plurality of cavities after removing said plurality of protrusions.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Schellin Emily A
• Vendely Michael J
• Weaner Lauren S
• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Aronhalt Taylor W
• Reynolds Ii Donald L
• Timmer Mark D
• Donners Jackie J
• Barton Trevor J

Classifications

• A61B17/064

  Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue} · CPC title

• A61B17/072

  for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously · CPC title

• A61B2017/07271

  characterised by its cartridge · CPC title

• A61B17/07292

  Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets · CPC title

• B29C43/00

  Compression moulding, i.e. applying external pressure to flow the moulding material; Apparatus therefor {(by liberation of internal stresses B29C61/006)} · CPC title