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 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: 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 surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, a cartridge receiving assembly, a suture cartridge, and a slip clutch. The cartridge receiving assembly has a transmission mechanism operatively connected to an actuator of the body. The suture cartridge is received within the cartridge receiving assembly and includes a needle and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is engaged with the transmission mechanism and is coupled with the needle for selectively driving the needle. The slip clutch is operatively connected to the actuator, the transmission mechanism, and the drive assembly such that the slip clutch is configured to transmit a force therethrough from the actuator toward the needle. The slip clutch is configured to slip under the influence of predetermined maximum force transmission therethrough to operatively disengage the needle from the actuator for limiting a driving force applied to the needle.

Abstract: Methods for forming an implantable layer onto a staple cartridge are disclosed.

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: 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: 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 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, 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 a housing, a platform, and a buttress assembly. The housing defines a gap 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 platform is configured to apply at least two different amounts of pressure against the first buttress assembly in response to a clamping action of an end effector positioned in the gap defined by the housing.

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

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include an inner portion, an outer portion positioned at least partially around the inner portion, and a plurality of passages formed through the outer portion toward the inner portion. The implantable layer can be porous. An implantable layer can include an outer portion including a plurality of fibers. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical stapler is also disclosed. The method can include forming at least one passage through an outer surface toward an inner portion of the implantable layer.

Abstract: A staple cartridge is disclosed. The staple cartridge can include a cartridge body, a plurality of staples, and an implantable layer. The implantable layer can include a piece of lyophilized foam and a plurality of fibers at least partially embedded in the piece of lyophilized foam. The implantable layer can further include a plurality of pores defined in piece of lyophilized foam, and a plurality of pockets, wherein a pocket at least partially surrounds a fiber. A method of forming an implantable layer for use with a surgical staple is also disclosed. The method can comprise obtaining a mold comprising a cavity, placing a plurality of fibers in the cavity of the mold, dispensing a solution into the cavity around the fibers, and lyophilizing the solution in the cavity.

Abstract: A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler. The assembly has a cartridge body having a support portion with a plurality of staple cavities with openings. There is also a plurality of staples, wherein at least a portion of each the staple is removably stored within a the staple cavity. Each the staple is movable between an unfired position and a fired position, and is deformable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration. The assembly also includes a compressible tissue thickness compensator configured to be captured within the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator at least partially covers the staple cavity openings. The compressed tissue thickness compensator is configured to assume different compressed heights within different the staples. The compressible tissue thickness compensator includes a visualization indicator.

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 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 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 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.