Implantable layers for a surgical instrument
A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer including a plurality of foam fragments, wherein the foam fragments are fused together to form a unitary body. The implantable layer can further include a plurality of intrastitial voids intermediate the foam fragments and/or a plurality of interstitial voids within the foam fragments. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical stapler is also disclosed. The method can include the steps of obtaining a plurality of foam fragments, heating the foam fragments, and compressing the foam fragments. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical stapler can also include lyophilizing a solution.
1. A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and
an implantable layer comprising a plurality of foam fragments, wherein each said foam fragment is thermally fused to at least one other said foam fragment to form a unitary body configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth.
2. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said implantable layer further comprises:
a plurality of interstitial voids intermediate said foam fragments; and
a plurality of interstitial voids within said foam fragments.
3. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said foam fragments are randomly oriented throughout said implantable layer.
4. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of foam fragments comprises:
a first foam fragment comprising a first porosity; and
a second foam fragment comprising a second porosity, wherein said second porosity is different than said first porosity.
5. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of foam fragments comprises:
a first foam fragment comprising a first geometry; and
a second foam fragment comprising a second geometry, wherein said second geometry is different than said first geometry.
6. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of foam fragments comprises:
a first foam fragment comprising a first material; and
a second foam fragment comprising a second material, wherein said second material is different than said first material.
7. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of foam fragments comprises:
a first foam fragment comprising a first absorption rate; and
a second foam fragment comprising a second absorption rate, wherein said second absorption rate is different than said first absorption rate.
8. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said implantable layer further comprises at least one medicament.
9. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said implantable layer further comprises a plurality of fibers.
10. The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of foam fragments comprises:
a first foam fragment comprising a first medicament; and
a second foam fragment comprising a second medicament, wherein said second medicament is different than said first medicament.
11. A staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples removably positioned in said staple cavities; and
an implantable layer comprising a plurality of foam fragments, wherein each said foam fragment is fused to at least one other said foam fragment in a calefactive state to form a unitary body configured to facilitate tissue ingrowth.