Patent ID: 9220501
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical stapler, comprising: a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body comprising a plurality of staple cavities and a plurality of staples positioned within said staple cavities; an anvil configured for a facing relationship with said cartridge body, said anvil comprising at least one staple forming surface; a first tissue thickness compensator removably attached to said cartridge body, wherein said first tissue thickness compensator comprises a first thickness and a first portion comprising a first uncompressed height; and a second tissue thickness compensator removably attached to said anvil, wherein said second tissue thickness compensator comprises a second thickness and a second portion comprising a second uncompressed height, wherein said second uncompressed height is greater than said first uncompressed height, wherein said first and second tissue thickness compensators are configured to be captured within said staples and assume different compressed heights within different said staples, wherein said first portion and said second portion are configured to be captured within the same staple, and wherein the sum of said first thickness and said second thickness is at least equal to a minimum thickness which provides adequate tissue thickness compensation within said staples.