Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a staple cartridge that is insertable into the end effector. The staple cartridge includes a buttress material that is selectively coupled to the staple cartridge. In some versions the buttress material may be stapled to the staple cartridge by one or more attachment staples. Such attachment staples may be inserted into staple apertures formed through an upper deck of the staple cartridge. The attachment staples may include resiliently biased legs to frictionally resist removal. In some versions the attachment staples may be sized to form an interference fit in the staple apertures. Alternatively, the attachment staples may include barbs. A staple driver may be used to decouple the attachment staples. The staple driver may include staple forming pockets to bend the legs of the attachment staple when decoupling the attachment staple.

Abstract: An apparatus including a surgical instrument may be used to sever and staple a portion of tissue. In some versions, the apparatus comprises a retainer cap. The retainer cap is in communication with the surgical instrument. The apparatus also comprises buttress material operable to couple with a portion of the surgical instrument. In some versions, the buttress material may comprise a plurality of tabs or other similar structures for coupling the buttress material to the surgical instrument. In some versions, a cutter may be operable to decouple the buttress material from the surgical instrument.