Implantable layers and methods for modifying the shape of the implantable layers for use with a surgical fastening instrument

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9839423-B2
Application number	US-201414187390-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 an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprised at least partially from a material including a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, wherein the implantable layer includes a first shape, heating the material to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the implantable layer to a second shape different than the first shape, allowing the material to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method for altering a tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical instrument, said method comprising the steps of:
obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprised at least partially from a material including a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a first shape;
heating said material to a temperature higher than said glass transition temperature and lower than said melting temperature;
applying a modifying member to a tissue-facing side of said tissue thickness compensator;
manipulating said tissue thickness compensator with said modifying member to a second shape different than said first shape by inducing a localized change in a portion of said tissue thickness compensator in contact with said modifying member;
allowing said material to cool below said glass transition temperature; and
releasing said modifying member from said portion of said tissue thickness compensator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of obtaining said tissue thickness compensator comprises 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; and
lyophilizing said solution.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of manipulating said tissue thickness compensator comprises applying at least one compressive force to said tissue thickness compensator.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of manipulating said tissue thickness compensator comprises applying at least one tensile force to said tissue thickness compensator.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of actively cooling said manipulated tissue thickness compensator below said glass transition temperature.

6. A customized tissue thickness compensator for use with a surgical stapler, wherein said customized tissue thickness compensator is prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
obtaining a tissue thickness compensator comprising a first shape;
transitioning at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator from an original state to a glassy state;
applying a modifying member to a tissue-facing side of said tissue thickness compensator;
manipulating said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator with said modifying member to a second shape by inducing a localized change in a portion of said tissue thickness compensator in contact with said modifying member;
allowing said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator to return from said glassy state to a non-glassy state; and
releasing said modifying member from said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator.

7. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein said step of obtaining said tissue thickness compensator comprises 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; and
lyophilizing said solution.

8. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein said step of manipulating said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator comprises applying at least one compressive force to said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator.

9. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein said step of manipulating said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator comprises applying at least one tensile force to said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator.

10. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein said process comprises the step of actively cooling said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator to remove said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator from said glassy state to said non-glassy state.

11. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein said process comprises the step of maintaining said manipulation of said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator for a period of time sufficient to permit said at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator to maintain said manipulation.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second shape has a greater density than said first shape.

13. The customized tissue thickness compensator of claim 6 , wherein the density of said second shape of said tissue thickness compensator is greater than the density of the first shape of said tissue thickness compensator.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Vendely Michael J
• Timmer Mark D
• Donners Jackie J
• Reynolds Ii Donald L
• Aronhalt Taylor W
• 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

• A61B2017/07278

  characterised by its sled or its staple holder · CPC title

• B29C67/20 Primary

  for porous or cellular articles, e.g. of foam plastics, coarse-pored {(chemical aspects of working up macro-molecular substances to porous or cellular articles C08J9/00)} · CPC title

• A61B17/0644

  penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position · CPC title