IMPLANTABLE LAYERS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

摘要

A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge includes 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 further includes 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 includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of foam fragments, heating the foam fragments, and compressing the foam fragments. The method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical stapler can also include lyophilizing a solution.