Tissue thickness compensator comprising a reservoir

Abstract

In various embodiments, a tissue thickness compensator can comprise a compressible extracellular matrix and a bioabsothable material dispersed within the extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of the bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in the extracellular matrix. The tissue thickness compensator can also comprise generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into the channels. In at least one embodiment, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise dissolvable wicking members which, when dissolved, can leave behind channels in the tissue thickness compensator. In certain embodiments, the tissue thickness compensator can comprise at least one rupturable capsule.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a first row of staple cavities; and 
 a second row of staple cavities; 
   staples, wherein each said staple is at least partially positionable within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;   a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and   a medicament capsule positioned intermediate said first row of staple cavities and said second row of staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said staples do not puncture said medicament capsule when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions, and wherein said medicament capsule comprises a shell at least partially comprised of a bioabsorbable material.   
     
     
         2 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medicament capsule further comprises a medicament positioned within said shell, and wherein after sufficient bioapsorption of said shell said medicament can be released from said medicament capsule. 
     
     
         3 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said shell is configured to flex such that said shell does not rupture when a compressive load is applied thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medicament capsule comprises a port, and wherein a medicament can be introduced into said shell through said port. 
     
     
         5 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said medicament capsule comprises a network of tubes in fluid communication with each other. 
     
     
         6 . A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;   staples, wherein each said staple is at least partially positionable within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;   a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and   a plurality of medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator, wherein each said medicament capsule is positioned over a said staple cavity, and wherein said staple cavities and said staples are configured and arranged such that said medicament capsules are crushed within said staples when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions.   
     
     
         7 . The staple cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein each said medicament capsule comprises a tube including a shell and a medicament contained within said shell. 
     
     
         8 . The staple cartridge of  claim 7 , wherein each said tube extends along a tube axis, and wherein each said tube axis extends into a said staple cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The staple cartridge of  claim 6 , wherein said cartridge body further comprises a slot configured to receive a cutting member therein, and wherein said staple cartridge further comprises at least one second medicament capsule positioned over said slot. 
     
     
         10 . A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities;   staples, wherein each said staple is at least partially positionable within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;   a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions; and   a plurality of medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator, wherein each said medicament capsule comprises a shell, a cavity defined in said shell, and a medicament positioned in said cavity, wherein said shell comprises a through-hole extending into said cavity, and wherein said medicament can flow out of said medicament capsule through said through-hole.   
     
     
         11 . The staple cartridge of  claim 10 , wherein said tissue thickness compensator is comprised of gelatin. 
     
     
         12 . The staple cartridge of  claim 11 , wherein said shell is comprised of an absorbable polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a tissue thickness compensator, said method comprising the steps of:
 preparing a plurality of capsules including a cavity and at least one opening in communication with the cavity;   placing a medicament in the cavities of the capsules through the openings;   closing the openings of the capsules; and   encapsulating at least a portion of the capsules in a material.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said encapsulating step comprises the steps of placing the capsules in a fluid and lyophilizing the fluid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said encapsulating step comprises the steps of preparing apertures in the material and positioning the capsules in the apertures. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said closing step comprises the step of heat-staking the capsules to close the openings therein. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said closing step comprises placing a polymeric material over the openings. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the capsules comprise hollow tubes, and wherein said preparing step comprises the step of constructing the tubes using an injection molding process. 
     
     
         19 . A staple cartridge, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a deck and a plurality of cavities;   staples removably positioned within some of said cavities;   piercing members removably positioned within some of said cavities, wherein each said piercing member is movable between a unfired position and a fired position when said piercing members are ejected from said cavities; and   a compressible compensator positioned above said deck, wherein said compensator comprises at least one capsule positioned over said piercing members, and wherein said piercing members are configured to pierce said at least one capsule when said piercing members are moved into their fired positions.   
     
     
         20 . The staple cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein each said staple is defined by a staple height, wherein each said piercing member is defined by a piercing height, and wherein said piercing height is shorter than said staple height. 
     
     
         21 . The staple cartridge of  claim 20 , wherein said compressible compensator comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein said piercing members are sized and configured such that said piercing members do not pierce said tissue-contacting surface. 
     
     
         22 . The staple cartridge of  claim 19 , wherein said piercing members are comprised of a bioabsorbable material, and wherein said staples are comprised of stainless steel. 
     
     
         23 . The staple cartridge of  claim 22 , wherein said piercing members further comprise a medicament. 
     
     
         24 . A staple cartridge assembly, comprising:
 a cartridge body, comprising:
 a deck; 
 a plurality of staple cavities defined in said deck; and 
 a slot configured to receive a cutting member; 
   staples, wherein each said staple is removably positioned within a said staple cavity, and wherein each said staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position;   a compressible tissue thickness compensator, wherein said staples are configured to at least partially capture said tissue thickness compensator when said staples are moved between their unfired positions and their fired positions;   a plurality of first medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator; and   a plurality of second medicament capsules positioned within said tissue thickness compensator; wherein said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules are positioned relative to said slot, and wherein the cutting member is configured to incise said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules when the cutting member is moved within said slot.   
     
     
         25 . The staple cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules are positioned in an alternating arrangement. 
     
     
         26 . The staple cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules are positioned within said slot. 
     
     
         27 . The staple cartridge of  claim 26 , wherein said deck comprises a plurality of recesses, and wherein said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules are positioned in said recesses. 
     
     
         28 . The staple cartridge of  claim 24 , wherein said first medicament capsules and said second medicament capsules are positioned within said tissue thickness compensator over said slot. 
     
     
         29 . A tissue thickness compensator for use with a fastening instrument, said tissue thickness compensator comprising:
 a compressible layer configured to be at least partially captured by fasteners; and   a capsule embedded in said compressible layer, wherein said capsule comprises:
 a shell comprised of a bioabsorbable material; 
 a cavity defined within said shell; 
 a medicament contained within said cavity; and 
 wicking members extending from said shell, wherein said wicking members are configured to absorb bodily fluids and provide a path for the bodily fluids to flow to said shell. 
   
     
     
         30 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 29 , wherein said bioabsorbable material is a first bioabsorbable material configured to bioabsorb at a first rate, wherein said wicking members are comprised of said first bioabsorbable material, wherein said compressible layer is comprised of a second bioabsobable material configured to bioabsorb at a second rate, and wherein said first rate is greater than said second rate. 
     
     
         31 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 30 , wherein the bioabsorption of said wicking members is configured to leave behind channels in said compressible layer. 
     
     
         32 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 30 , wherein said bioabsorbable material is comprised of gelatin. 
     
     
         33 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 29 , wherein said wicking members comprise support legs configured to support said compressible layer. 
     
     
         34 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 29 , wherein said shell comprises an extruded tube. 
     
     
         35 . A tissue thickness compensator for use with a fastening instrument, said tissue thickness compensator comprising:
 a compressible extracellular matrix;   a bioabsorbable material dispersed within said extracellular matrix, wherein the bioapsorption of said bioabsorbable material is configured to leave behind channels in said extracellular matrix; and   generation means for generating the ingrowth of tissue into said channels.   
     
     
         36 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 35 , wherein said generation means comprises at least one of stem cells, platelet rich plasma, and growth factors. 
     
     
         37 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 35 , wherein said extracellular matrix is comprised from at least one of skeletonized omentum and a regenerative material. 
     
     
         38 . The tissue thickness compensator of  claim 35 , wherein said extracellular matrix is comprised of randomly-oriented hydrophilic fibers.