Layer of material for a surgical end effector

Abstract

In various embodiments, a layer of material can comprise a body, a proximal end portion, and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion can be releasably secured to a staple cartridge of a surgical end effector, and the distal end portion can be releasably secured to an anvil of the surgical end effector. The layer of material can comprise a tissue thickness compensator.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical end effector, comprising:
 a staple cartridge comprising a staple;   an anvil moveable relative to said staple cartridge, wherein said anvil comprises a staple forming surface; and   a layer of material comprising:
 a proximal end portion, wherein said proximal end portion is releasably secured to said staple cartridge; and 
 a distal end portion, wherein said distal end portion is releasably secured to said anvil. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of material comprises a tissue thickness compensator. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a first tissue contacting surface, and wherein said layer of material further comprises a second tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a proximal end and a slot extending from said proximal end, and wherein said proximal end portion of said layer of material is releasably received in said slot. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical end effector of  claim 4 , further comprising a firing element configured to move along at least a portion of said slot, wherein said firing element is configured to deform said proximal end portion. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said anvil further comprises a distal end and a slot extending from said distal end, and wherein said distal end portion of said layer of material is releasably received in said slot. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical end effector of  claim 1 , wherein said proximal end portion further comprises a first deformable clip, and wherein said distal end portion further comprises a second deformable clip. 
     
     
         8 . A surgical end effector, comprising:
 a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples and a cartridge slot defined at least partially through said staple cartridge;   an anvil comprising an anvil slot defined at least partially through said anvil; and   a layer of material comprising:
 a first attachment portion, wherein said cartridge slot is configured to receive said first attachment portion; and 
 a second attachment portion, wherein said anvil slot is configured to receive said second attachment portion. 
   
     
     
         9 . The surgical end effector of  claim 8 , wherein said layer of material is removably attached to said staple cartridge and said anvil. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical end effector of  claim 9 , further comprising a firing member configured to translate along said cartridge slot, wherein said firing member is configured to deflect said first attachment portion. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical end effector of  claim 8 , wherein said first attachment portion extends from a proximal end of said layer of material, and wherein said second attachment portion extends from a distal end of said layer of material. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical end effector of  claim 8 , wherein said staple cartridge further comprises a first tissue contacting surface, and wherein said layer of material further comprises a second tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical end effector of  claim 8 , wherein the first attachment portion comprises a deflectable hook. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical end effector of  claim 8 , wherein said layer of material comprises a tissue thickness compensator. 
     
     
         15 . A surgical end effector, comprising:
 holding means for holding fasteners;   clamping means for clamping tissue between said clamping means and said holding means; and   a layer of material, comprising:
 a proximal means for releasably attaching said layer of material to said holding means; and 
 a distal means for releasably attaching said layer of material to said clamping means. 
   
     
     
         16 . The surgical end effector of  claim 15 , wherein said layer of material comprises tissue compensation means for compensating. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical end effector of  claim 15 , further comprising releasing means for releasing said layer of material from at least one of said holding means or said clamping means. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical end effector of  claim 15 , wherein said proximal means comprises a deflectable clip. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical end effector of  claim 18 , wherein said holding means further comprises a plurality of fasteners and a slot configured to receive said deflectable clip. 
     
     
         20 . A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge assembly comprising:
 a staple cartridge comprising:
 a cartridge body; and 
 a plurality of staples at least partially positioned in said cartridge body; and 
   a layer of material comprising:
 a proximal end portion, wherein said proximal end portion is releasably secured to said staple cartridge; and 
 a distal end portion, wherein said distal end portion is releasably securable to an anvil of the surgical instrument. 
   
     
     
         21 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said layer of material comprises a tissue thickness compensator. 
     
     
         22 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said cartridge body further comprises a tissue contacting deck, and wherein said layer of material further comprises a tissue contacting surface. 
     
     
         23 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 20 , wherein said cartridge body comprises a proximal end and a slot extending from said proximal end, and wherein said proximal end portion of said layer of material is releasably received in said slot. 
     
     
         24 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 23 , further comprising a firing element configured to move along at least a portion of said slot, wherein said firing element is configured to deform said proximal end portion.