Abstract: An assembly includes an applicator, which includes a housing defining a gap configured to receive an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler. The applicator also includes a platform positioned within the gap. The assembly also includes a buttress assembly having a first length and positioned on the platform. The assembly further includes a trimming feature presented by the applicator or the buttress assembly, and configured to facilitate trimming of the buttress assembly from the first length to a predetermined second length.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a surgical cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a biocompatible adjunct material that is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and that is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice main structure having at least one absorbable sub-structure formed in the lattice main structure, the at least one absorbable sub-structure configured to control fluid movement through the adjunct material such that the fluid movement impacts healing of tissue adjacent the adjunct material when the adjunct material is in a tissue deployed state. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: An assembly includes an applicator, which includes a housing defining a gap configured to receive an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler. The applicator also includes a platform positioned within the gap. The assembly also includes a buttress assembly having a first length and positioned on the platform. The assembly further includes a trimming feature presented by the applicator or the buttress assembly, and configured to facilitate trimming of the buttress assembly from the first length to a predetermined second length.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body with a first body portion, a second body portion opposed from the first body portion, and a connecting portion that couples a proximal end of the first body portion with a proximal end of the second body portion. The connecting portion is configured to permit the first and second body portions to move toward and away from one another between a plurality of angular orientations. The first and second body portions define a distally opening angle. A first adjunct element and a second adjunct element are disposed on outwardly facing surfaces of the first and second body portions. The first and second body portions may be fixed in each of the angular orientations and may simultaneously apply the first and second adjunct elements to first and second jaws, respectively, of a surgical stapler end effector.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying an adjunct element to a surgical stapler end effector having first and second stapling surfaces using an applicator. The method includes providing the end effector in an open state in which the first and second stapling surfaces are spaced apart. With the end effector in the open state, at least a portion of the applicator is positioned between the first and second stapling surfaces. Without engaging a closure system input feature of the surgical stapler, a portion of the end effector is compressively engaged by the applicator to thereby secure the adjunct element to one of the first or second stapling surfaces. The applicator and the end effector are withdrawn relatively away from one another so that the adjunct element remains attached to the one of the first or second stapling surfaces of the end effector.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on a cartridge and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having a plurality of drug delivery microstructures formed in the lattice macrostructure, in which each drug delivery microstructure has drug disposed therein. The plurality of drug delivery microstructures are configured to encapsulate the drug to thereby prevent drug release until the plurality of drug delivery microstructures are at least one of thermally ruptured while the adjunct material is stapled to tissue and mechanically ruptured in response to at least one of clamping, stapling, and cutting of the adjunct material. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: A method of applying a buttress to a surgically cut and stapled site uses an end effector with a buttress applier cartridge assembly to load one or more buttress assemblies to the end effector. The buttress assemblies each include a buttress to support a staple formed therein as well an adhesive for adhering to the end effector. The adhesive of the buttress assemblies can include a pattern to assist in both attachment to the end effector and release from the end effector after cutting and stapling a tissue site. The buttress applier cartridge can include features that accommodate end effectors having various tip configurations, including straight tips and curved or bent tips.

Abstract: An assembly includes an applicator, which includes a housing defining a gap configured to receive an end effector jaw of a surgical stapler. The applicator also includes a platform positioned within the gap. The assembly also includes a buttress assembly having a first length and positioned on the platform. The assembly further includes a trimming feature presented by the applicator or the buttress assembly, and configured to facilitate trimming of the buttress assembly from the first length to a predetermined second length.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to at least one of a first stapling surface or a second stapling surface of a surgical stapler. The apparatus includes a contact structure defining a longitudinal axis and an expansion mechanism. The contact structure includes a first contact member configured to support a first portion of the adjunct material and a second contact member movably coupled with the first contact member that is configured to support a second portion of the adjunct material. The first and second contact members are configured to move away from one another in opposing directions to apply the first portion of the adjunct material to the first stapling surface and the second portion of the adjunct material to the second stapling surface. The expansion mechanism is selectively operable to transition the contact structure from a non-expanded state toward the expanded state.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: (a) at least one platform configured to be positioned between opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the at least one platform is configured to transition between a first state and a second state; (b) at least one adjunct element positioned on the at least one platform; (c) at least one detector configured to detect a predetermined portion of the end effector; and (d) a driver configured to selectively transition the at least one platform from the first state to the second state in a direction toward at least one of the first or second jaws when the at least one detector detects the predetermined portion of the end effector for placing the at least one adjunct element in contact with a corresponding surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a staple cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a non-fibrous adjunct material formed of at least one fused bioabsorbable polymer and configured to be releasably retained on a cartridge and configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice macrostructure having a plurality of drug delivery microstructures formed in the lattice macrostructure, in which each drug delivery microstructure has drug disposed therein. The plurality of drug delivery microstructures are configured to encapsulate the drug to thereby prevent drug release until the plurality of drug delivery microstructures are at least one of thermally ruptured while the adjunct material is stapled to tissue and mechanically ruptured in response to at least one of clamping, stapling, and cutting of the adjunct material. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: Compressible adjuncts for use with a surgical cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a compressible adjunct includes a biocompatible adjunct material that is configured to be releasably retained on a staple cartridge and that is configured to be delivered to tissue by deployment of staples in the cartridge. The adjunct material includes a lattice main structure having at least one absorbable sub-structure formed in the lattice main structure, the at least one absorbable sub-structure configured to control fluid movement through the adjunct material such that the fluid movement impacts healing of tissue adjacent the adjunct material when the adjunct material is in a tissue deployed state. Stapling assemblies for use with a surgical stapler are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to a stapling surface of a jaw of a surgical stapler. The jaw includes an outer surface disposed opposite the stapling surface. The apparatus includes a housing and an arm. The housing includes a first contact feature that is configured to contact one of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The arm is operatively coupled with the housing. The arm includes a second contact feature that is configured to move relative to the first contact feature to contact the other of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The first and second contact features are configured to cooperate to apply a compression force in a direction toward the first contact feature to pinch the adjunct material against the stapling surface to mount the adjunct material to the stapling surface.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying an adjunct element to at least one of opposing first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a stapling surface and an external surface opposed from the respective stapling surface. The apparatus comprises: (a) a platform configured to be positioned between the first and second jaws of the end effector; (b) an adjunct element positioned on the platform; and (c) at least one closure surface opposed from the platform, wherein the at least one closure surface is configured to mechanically engage the external surface of at least one of the first or second jaws to thereby transition the end effector from an open state toward a closed state for placing the respective stapling surface of the at least one of the first or second jaws in contact with the adjunct element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a platform, an adjunct material, and an engagement feature. The platform includes an upper support and a lower support. The adjunct material is positioned on the upper support or the lower support. The upper support is configured to move relative to the lower support to apply the adjunct material to a jaw of an end effector incorporated into a surgical stapler. The engagement feature is configured to interact with a predetermined portion of the end effector to permit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support and thereby apply the adjunct material to the jaw of the end effector. The engagement feature is further configured to inhibit movement of the upper support relative to the lower support when the engagement feature is disengaged from the predetermined portion of the end effector.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to apply an adjunct material to a stapling surface of a jaw of a surgical stapler. The jaw includes an outer surface disposed opposite the stapling surface. The apparatus includes a housing and an arm. The housing includes a first contact feature that is configured to contact one of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The arm is operatively coupled with the housing. The arm includes a second contact feature that is configured to move relative to the first contact feature to contact the other of the adjunct material or the outer surface of the jaw. The first and second contact features are configured to cooperate to apply a compression force in a direction toward the first contact feature to pinch the adjunct material against the stapling surface to mount the adjunct material to the stapling surface.