Abstract: Surface features for device retention are disclosed herein, e.g., for retaining an access port within a patient during a surgical procedure. The surface features can prevent ejection of the access port from a body of a patient. The surface features can be positioned along the access port and configured to glide along body tissues with minimal friction so as not to hinder travel of the access port in an insertion direction. After insertion of the access port, the surface features can engage with surrounding tissue to increase friction therebetween and to prevent ejection of the access port from the patient. Deployment of the surface features can occur due to friction with the surrounding tissue and/or via activation of the surface features to protrude from the access port. The surface features can include teeth, hooks, scales, fins, bristles, braids, and/or threads for engaging tissue.

Abstract: Adjuncts for use with surgical instruments, such as staplers, are provided. In one embodiment, an adjunct can include a plurality of suction members configured to attach the adjunct to an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler using a suction force. The suction members can be configured to generate the suction force when compressed. The suction members can be further configured to release the suction force to decouple the adjunct from the end effector jaw, permitting deployment of the adjunct at a treatment site. In certain embodiments, the suction members can include a plurality of air pockets formed in the bulk of the adjunct or within protrusions extending outward from a surface of the adjunct. The air pockets can be in communication with corresponding openings allowing air to escape the air pockets when compressed.

Abstract: Surface features for device retention are disclosed herein, e.g., for retaining an access port within a patient during a surgical procedure. The surface features can prevent ejection of the access port from a body of a patient. The surface features can be positioned along the access port and configured to glide along body tissues with minimal friction so as not to hinder travel of the access port in an insertion direction. After insertion of the access port, the surface features can engage with surrounding tissue to increase friction therebetween and to prevent ejection of the access port from the patient. Deployment of the surface features can occur due to friction with the surrounding tissue and/or via activation of the surface features to protrude from the access port. The surface features can include teeth, hooks, scales, fins, bristles, braids, and/or threads for engaging tissue.

Abstract: An adjunct loading system is provided that can include at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to first and second jaws of an end effector. The loading system can also include a supporting member configured to releasably retain the adjunct material. The loading system can further include an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon application of heat when the adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the jaw to retain the adjunct material on the jaw. The adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member when load is applied thereto. The adhesive depot can be in the form of an adhesive feature formed on a polymer attachment layer or in the form of reservoirs in the supporting member.

Abstract: A compressible adjunct is used with a surgical instrument. The compressible adjunct includes a hollow fibrous construct and a core fibrous construct housed within the hollow fibrous construct, wherein the hollow fibrous construct comprises at least one biocompatible material that has experienced at least one transition from a more ordered phase to a less ordered phase in response to heating the hollow fibrous construct to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body and an implantable layer. The implantable layer includes fibers comprised of a first material and a second material. The first material and the second material have different glass transition temperatures. After the fibers comprised of the first material and the second material have been intermixed or interwoven, the layer is exposed to a temperature which exceeds the lower of the two glass transition temperatures. This heating process causes the layer to constrict and increase in thickness. The layer, when implanted, can compensate for variations in tissue thickness within the staples.

Abstract: Devices and methods for placing an adjunct at a tissue treatment site prior to delivering staples through the tissue and adjunct are provided. In one embodiment, a flowable adjunct precursor can be deposited on the surface of the tissue at the tissue treatment site. The flowable adjunct precursor can be configured to solidify after deposition to form an adjunct. In another embodiment, an adjunct delivery device can include a non-stapling end effector configured to deliver an adjunct to a tissue treatment site. In either case, staples can be delivered through the adjunct and tissue after placement of the adjunct at the tissue treatment site.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: Adjuncts for use with surgical instruments, such as staplers, are provided. In one embodiment, an adjunct can include a plurality of suction members configured to attach the adjunct to an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler using a suction force. The suction members can be configured to generate the suction force when compressed. The suction members can be further configured to release the suction force to decouple the adjunct from the end effector jaw, permitting deployment of the adjunct at a treatment site. In certain embodiments, the suction members can include a plurality of air pockets formed in the bulk of the adjunct or within protrusions extending outward from a surface of the adjunct. The air pockets can be in communication with corresponding openings allowing air to escape the air pockets when compressed.

Abstract: An adjunct loading system is provided that can include at least one adjunct material configured to be transferred from an adjunct loading member to first and second jaws of an end effector. The loading system can also include a supporting member configured to releasably retain the adjunct material. The loading system can further include an adhesive depot having an adhesive configured to transition from a non-flowable state to a flowable state upon application of heat when the adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member and transferred to the jaw to retain the adjunct material on the jaw. The adjunct material is released from the adjunct loading member when load is applied thereto. The adhesive depot can be in the form of an adhesive feature formed on a polymer attachment layer or in the form of reservoirs in the supporting member.

Abstract: Devices and methods for placing an adjunct at a tissue treatment site prior to delivering staples through the tissue and adjunct are provided. In one embodiment, a flowable adjunct precursor can be deposited on the surface of the tissue at the tissue treatment site. The flowable adjunct precursor can be configured to solidify after deposition to form an adjunct. In another embodiment, an adjunct delivery device can include a non-stapling end effector configured to deliver an adjunct to a tissue treatment site. In either case, staples can be delivered through the adjunct and tissue after placement of the adjunct at the tissue treatment site.

Abstract: A compressible adjunct is used with a surgical instrument. The compressible adjunct includes a hollow fibrous construct and a core fibrous construct housed within the hollow fibrous construct, wherein the hollow fibrous construct comprises at least one biocompatible material that has experienced at least one transition from a more ordered phase to a less ordered phase in response to heating the hollow fibrous construct to a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed which comprises a cartridge body and an implantable layer. The implantable layer includes fibers comprised of a first material and a second material. The first material and the second material have different glass transition temperatures. After the fibers comprised of the first material and the second material have been intermixed or interwoven, the layer is exposed to a temperature which exceeds the lower of the two glass transition temperatures. This heating process causes the layer to constrict and increase in thickness. The layer, when implanted, can compensate for variations in tissue thickness within the staples.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: An implantable structure, method for making the structure and method for using the structure, where the structure includes a combination of non-absorbable and absorbable components, and the implantable structure has a randomly uniform array of materials. The resulting implantable structure provides improved tissue ingrowth and flexibility after implantation and after absorption of the absorbable materials.

Abstract: A self-anchoring tissue lifting device for use with facial cosmetic reconstructive surgery includes an implant and a removable foil cover disposed on the implant. The implant includes an elongated mesh strip having a distal end on which is situated a tissue anchoring fleece material. Opposite lateral edges of the mesh material are preferably laser cut during the manufacturing process of the implant to provide a plurality of tissue engaging prickles along the longitudinal length of the implant. For treating the mid face and jowl, a stab incision is made within the hairline of the temple region of the patient and the device is applied from the temporal area to the peak of the ipsilateral cheek to capture the malar fat pad to correct midface abnormalities or the ptotic tissue causing the jowl.

Abstract: A medical implant and method for its implantation. One use is for treatment of stress urinary incontinence and includes an implantable, elongated tape having a multiplicity of openings formed through the thickness thereof, the tape having a first end region and a second end region longitudinally opposite the first end region, and first and second bio-absorbable fixation elements attached to the first and second end regions of the tape respectively. Each bio-absorbable fixation element has a tissue adherence property greater than that of the tape and has a substantially rectangular, planar configuration without physical projections extending outwardly therefrom.