Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly is disclosed comprising, one, a plurality of staples removably stored within a surgical staple cartridge and, two, an implantable adjunct. The implantable adjunct is configured to be progressively released from the surgical staple cartridge during a firing progression of a firing assembly configured to travel through the surgical staple cartridge.

Abstract: An end effector can comprise, one, a fastener cartridge including a plurality of fasteners stored therein and, two, an anvil configured to deform the fasteners. The anvil can further comprise extensions extending therefrom which can control the flow of tissue relative to the fastener cartridge and/or support the fasteners as they are ejected from the fastener cartridge. The extensions can having different sizes and/or configurations.

Abstract: A compressible adjunct is used with a surgical instrument including a staple cartridge deck. The compressible adjunct includes a first biocompatible material, a second biocompatible material with a lower melting temperature than the first biocompatible material, and a body including a face positionable against a length of the staple cartridge deck. The face includes a plurality of attachment regions spaced apart from one another, wherein the plurality of attachment regions include the second biocompatible material, wherein the face is selectively attachable to the staple cartridge deck at said plurality of attachment regions, and a plurality of non-attachment regions extending between the plurality of attachment regions, wherein the second biocompatible material is selectively disposed outside said non-attachment regions.

Abstract: A staple cartridge includes a plurality of staples and a deck defining a plurality of openings. Each opening of the plurality of openings is associated with a corresponding staple of the plurality of staples, such that each staple is configured to pass through a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings. The deck further includes a first mechanical coupling feature and a buttress assembly. The buttress assembly includes a buttress body and a second mechanical coupling feature. The second mechanical coupling feature is configured to engage the first mechanical coupling feature to releasably couple the buttress body to the deck.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a buttress body, an adhesive material, and a containment sheet. The buttress body is sized to fit on an anvil or a staple cartridge deck of a surgical stapler. The adhesive material is disposed on the buttress body. The adhesive material is configured to flow across the buttress body in response to a temperature exceeding a melting temperature. The containment sheet is disposed on the adhesive material. The containment sheet is secured relative to the buttress body such that the containment sheet is configured to contain the adhesive material on the buttress body.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, at least one retainer member, and an indicator. A portion of the platform is exposed in a gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The retainer member is configured to selectively retain the buttress assembly against the platform. The retainer member is further configured to release the buttress assembly from the platform in response to a clamping action of an end effector positioned in the gap defined by the housing. The indicator is configured to provide indication of a state of one or both of the buttress assembly or the at least one retainer member. The indicator is further configured to change state in response to a change of state of one or both of the buttress assembly or the at least one retainer member.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, a retainer member, and a release assembly. The housing defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler. A portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is positioned on the platform and is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The retainer member is configured to selectively retain the first buttress assembly against the platform. The release assembly is in communication with the retainer member. The release assembly is configured to store energy. The release assembly is further configured to release the stored energy to thereby cause the at least one retainer to release the first buttress assembly from the platform in response to a clamping action of an end effector positioned in the gap defined by the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, at least one retainer member, and a lockout alignment feature. A portion of the platform is exposed in a gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is positioned on the platform. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The at least one retainer member is configured to selectively retain the buttress assembly against the platform. The at least one retainer member is further configured to release the buttress assembly from the platform in response to a clamping action of an end effector positioned in the gap defined by the housing. The lockout alignment feature is configured to prevent the at least one retainer member from releasing the buttress assembly form the platform unless the end effector is located at a predetermined position in relation to the buttress assembly during clamping of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, a cartridge, and a buttress assembly. The end effector includes an anvil and a lower jaw. The anvil is configured to move toward and away from the lower jaw. The lower jaw is configured to receive the cartridge. The cartridge includes a housing, staples disposed in the housing, and a deck disposed over the staples. The buttress assembly is configured to be attached to either the anvil or the cartridge. The buttress assembly includes an adhesive layer, a film layer, and a buttress body. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to either the anvil or the deck of the cartridge. The adhesive layer is attached to a first side of the film layer. The buttress body is attached to a second side of the film layer such that the film layer is interposed between the adhesive layer and the buttress body.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A buttress applier cartridge includes a housing, a platform, a buttress assembly, and a data communication feature. The housing defines a gap that is configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler. A portion of the platform is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The buttress assembly is positioned on the platform. The buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing. The data communication feature is configured to provide communication of data relating to the cartridge. The data communication feature may communicate with a complementary data communication feature of the surgical stapler.

Abstract: A buttress is applied to an end effector of a surgical stapler. The buttress is loaded on a platform of a buttress applier cartridge. The end effector is closed upon the platform. An adhesive layer of the buttress secures the buttress to the end effector. The buttress is thus adhered to the end effector when the end effector is opened. The end effector is then actuated on tissue of a patient, thereby stapling the buttress to the tissue.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for changing the spring rate of an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer having a first spring rate, wherein the implantable layer is at least partially comprised of a material having a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the implantable layer to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, deforming the implantable layer to change the first spring rate to a second spring rate, wherein the second spring rate is different than the first spring rate, allowing the implantable layer to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a body, an input feature, an elongate shaft, and a needle applier. The needle applier is coupled to the elongate shaft, which extends distally from the body. The needle applier includes a needle, a drive assembly, and a guide assembly. The drive assembly includes a link configured to drive the needle orbitally about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft in response to actuation of the input feature. The guide assembly is in communication with the input feature and the drive assembly. The guide assembly is responsive to the input feature to guide a distal portion of the link along a semi-circular path.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for altering a implantable layer which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprising a surface at least partially comprised from a material with a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, heating the surface to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the surface, allowing the manipulated surface to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for altering an implantable layer for use with a surgical instrument which includes the steps of obtaining an implantable layer comprised at least partially from a material including a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature, wherein the implantable layer includes a first shape, heating the material to a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature and lower than the melting temperature, manipulating the implantable layer to a second shape different than the first shape, allowing the material to cool below the glass transition temperature, and releasing the implantable layer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a buttress body, an adhesive material, and a containment sheet. The buttress body is sized to fit on an anvil or a staple cartridge deck of a surgical stapler. The adhesive material is disposed on the buttress body. The adhesive material is configured to flow across the buttress body in response to a temperature exceeding a melting temperature. The containment sheet is disposed on the adhesive material.