Tissue thickness compensator comprising a plurality of layers

A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

• a tissue thickness compensator comprising:
• a first compensation layer;
• a second compensation layer;
• a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer;
• and
• a support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises:
• a first portion of said support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;
• a second portion of said support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction;
• and
• a deflection in said support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion;
• and
• a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket and compress at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position, wherein said first compensation layer comprises a first tab that protrudes into said pocket from a first longitudinal side of said first compensation layer.

A fastener cartridge assembly for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge assembly comprising:

• a tissue thickness compensator comprising:
• a first compensation layer;
• a second compensation layer;
• and
• a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer;
• and
• a support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises:
• a first portion of said support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;
• a second portion of said support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction;
• and
• a deflection in said support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion;
• and
• a fastener moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket and compress at least a portion of said tissue thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position, wherein said tissue thickness compensator comprises a limiting plate configured to control deformation of at least one of said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer when said fastener is moved to said fired position.

A fastener cartridge for a surgical instrument, the fastener cartridge comprising:

• fasteners movable between an initial position and a fired position;
• fastener cavities configured to hold said fasteners when said fasteners are in said initial position;
• and
• a tissue compensator comprising:
• a first spring layer;
• a second spring layer positioned over said first spring layer;
• a gap between said first spring layer and said second spring layer, wherein at least one fastener is configured to move through said gap and compress at least a portion of said tissue compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position;
• and
• a spring support beam positioned intermediate said first spring layer and said second spring layer, wherein said spring support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first spring layer and said second spring layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises:
• a first portion of said spring support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;
• a second portion of said spring support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction;
• and
• a deflection in said spring support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion.

An end effector assembly for a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

• an anvil;
• a thickness compensator comprising:
• a first compensation layer;
• a second compensation layer positioned over said first compensation layer;
• and
• a pocket positioned between said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer;
• a spring support beam positioned in said pocket, wherein said spring support beam comprises a buckling region disposed intermediate said first compensation layer and said second compensation layer, and wherein said buckling region comprises:
• a first portion of said spring support beam, wherein said first portion extends in a first direction;
• a second portion of said spring support beam, wherein said second portion extends in a second direction, and wherein said second direction intersects said first direction;
• and
• a deflection in said spring support beam, wherein said deflection is disposed intermediate said first portion and said second portion, and wherein said spring support beam is configured to bow when said thickness compensator is compressed;
• and
• a fastener cartridge comprising a fastener, wherein said fastener is moveable between an initial position and a fired position, wherein at least a portion of said fastener is configured to pass through said pocket when said fastener is moved to said fired position, and wherein said fastener is configured to compress said thickness compensator when said fastener is moved to said fired position.