COMPRESSIBLE ADJUNCT WITH INTERMEDIATE SUPPORTING STRUCTURES
A compressible adjunct for use with a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge includes a first biocompatible layer, a second biocompatible layer spaced apart from the first biocompatible layer, and a plurality of supporting pillars extending between the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer.
1 . A compressible adjunct for use with a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge, wherein the compressible adjunct comprises:
a first biocompatible layer;
a second biocompatible layer spaced apart from the first biocompatible layer; and
a plurality of supporting pillars extending between the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer.
2 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein each of the supporting pillars comprises:
a first end portion attached to the first biocompatible layer; and
a second end portion attached to the second biocompatible layer.
3 . The compressible adjunct of claim 2 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion define a transverse axis intersecting the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer.
4 . The compressible adjunct of claim 3 , wherein the transverse axis defines a first angle with the first biocompatible layer, wherein the transverse axis defines a second angle with the second biocompatible layer, and wherein the first angle and the second angle are selected from a range of about 80° to a about 100°.
5 . The compressible adjunct of claim 2 , wherein the first end portion is woven into the first biocompatible layer.
6 . The compressible adjunct of claim 2 , wherein the first end portion is welded to the first biocompatible layer.
7 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of supporting pillars comprises:
a first supporting pillar; and
a second supporting pillar crossing the first supporting pillar.
8 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer comprises a woven matrix.
9 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer comprises a knitted matrix.
10 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer comprises a film.
11 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein the second biocompatible layer comprises an outer surface configured to grip tissue.
12 . The compressible adjunct of claim 11 , wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of gripping features, and wherein each of the gripping features defines an acute angle with the outer surface.
13 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , wherein the first biocompatible layer comprises a greater density than the second biocompatible layer.
14 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , further comprising:
a body portion; and
an outer edge at least partially surrounding the body portion, wherein the body portion comprises a greater thickness than the outer edge.
15 . The compressible adjunct of claim 14 , wherein the outer edge is tapered.
16 . The compressible adjunct of claim 14 , wherein the outer edge comprises:
a first outer edge portion extending from the first biocompatible layer; and
a second outer edge portion extending from the second biocompatible layer, wherein the first outer edge portion and the second outer edge portion are united into a continuous side portion configured to join the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer.
17 . The compressible adjunct of claim 1 , further comprising a knife slot configured to receive a knife for cutting tissue captured by the surgical instrument, wherein the knife slot defines two sides, and wherein the knife passes between the two sides.
18 . The compressible adjunct of claim 17 , further comprising a tether extending between the two sides, wherein the knife is configured to cut the tether to separate the two sides.
19 . A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument, wherein the staple cartridge assembly comprises:
a staple cartridge, comprising:
a plurality of staples; and
a cartridge deck comprising an outer surface; and
a compressible adjunct positionable against the outer surface, wherein the compressible adjunct comprises:
a tissue-facing biocompatible layer;
a deck-facing biocompatible layer positionable against the outer surface, wherein the tissue-facing biocompatible layer is spaced apart from the deck-facing biocompatible layer; and
spacer fibers intersecting the tissue-facing biocompatible layer and the deck-facing biocompatible layer, wherein the spacer fibers are configured to lift the tissue-facing biocompatible layer over the deck-facing biocompatible layer.
20 . A compressible adjunct for use with a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge, wherein the compressible adjunct comprises:
a first biocompatible layer;
a second biocompatible layer spaced apart from the first biocompatible layer; and
an elongate flexible member interconnecting the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer, wherein the elongate flexible member is configured to form a plurality of supporting structures standing between the first biocompatible layer and the second biocompatible layer.