Staple cartridge comprising an implantable layer

1. A staple cartridge assembly for stapling patient tissue, comprising:

a staple cartridge including a deck, wherein said deck comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support the tissue;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

an implantable layer positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said implantable layer comprises a composite absorbable material, wherein said composite absorbable material comprises at least two distinct fibrous materials, and wherein at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably held on at least one of said fibrous materials; and

a liquid impermeable film wrapped around said staple cartridge and said implantable layer.

2. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament comprises thrombin.

3. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament comprises fibrin.

4. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is activatable to treat the tissue when exposed to a liquid.

5. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least two distinct fibrous materials comprise a polyglycolic acid material, and wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably held within a polyglycolic acid matrix.

6. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least two distinct fibrous materials comprise polyglycolic acid and oxidized regenerated cellulose.

7. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably held on said at least one of said fibrous materials as a coating.

8. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said liquid impermeable film comprises a composite film, and wherein said composite film is configured to remain impermeable until penetrated by said staples.

9. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said implantable layer further comprises a buttress material.

10. The staple cartridge assembly of claim 1 , wherein said implantable layer is configured to compensate for a thickness of the tissue being stapled.

11. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw; and

a staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge including a tissue-supporting surface, wherein said tissue-supporting surface comprises a plurality of staple slots;

a plurality of staples releasably stored in said staple slots;

an implantable layer assembly positioned adjacent to said tissue-supporting surface, wherein said implantable layer assembly comprises a composite absorbable material, wherein said composite absorbable material comprises at least two distinct fiber materials, and wherein at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably attached to at least one of said fiber materials; and

a removable wrap extending around said implantable layer assembly.

12. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament comprises thrombin.

13. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament comprises fibrin.

14. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is activatable to treat the tissue when exposed to a liquid.

15. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least two distinct fiber materials comprise a polyglycolic acid material, and wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably attached to a polyglycolic acid matrix.

16. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least two distinct fiber materials comprise polyglycolic acid and oxidized regenerated cellulose.

17. The end effector of claim 11 , wherein said at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably attached to said at least one of said fiber materials as a coating.

18. An end effector, comprising:

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein at least one of said first jaw and said second jaw is movable to compress tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw; and

a staple cartridge assembly, comprising:

a staple cartridge including a tissue-supporting surface, wherein said tissue-supporting surface comprises a plurality of staple slots;

a plurality of staples releasably stored in said staple slots; and

an implantable layer assembly positioned adjacent to said tissue-supporting surface, wherein said implantable layer assembly comprises a composite absorbable material, wherein said composite absorbable material comprises at least two distinct fiber materials, and wherein at least one freeze-dried medicament is releasably attached to at least one of said fiber materials, further comprising a liquid impermeable film wrapped around said staple cartridge assembly, wherein said liquid impermeable film comprises a composite film, and wherein said composite film is configured to remain impermeable until penetrated by said staples.

19. A staple cartridge assembly for stapling patient tissue, comprising:

a staple cartridge including a deck, wherein said deck comprises a plurality of staple cavities, and wherein said deck is configured to support the tissue;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

an implantable layer positioned adjacent to said deck, wherein said implantable layer comprises a composite absorbable material, wherein said composite absorbable material comprises at least two distinct fiber materials, and wherein at least one freeze-dried medicament is embedded in at least one of said fiber materials; and

a removable water impermeable enclosure enclosing said implantable layer.