Abstract: An organ evaluation device, system, or method is configured to receive electrophysiological data from a patient or model organism and integrates the data in a computational backend environment with anatomical data input from an external source, spanning a plurality of file formats, where the input parameters are combined to visualize and output current density and/or current flow activity having ampere-based units displayed in the spatial context of heart or other organ anatomy.

Abstract: A method can determine one or more origins of focal activation. The method can include computing phase for the electrical signals at a plurality of nodes distributed across a geometric surface based on the electrical data across time. The method can determine whether or not a given candidate node of the plurality of nodes is a focal point based on the analyzing the computed phase and magnitude of the given candidate node. A graphical map can be generated to visualize focal points detected on the geometric surface.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for quantitative characterizing atrial fibrillation (AF) in a patient includes recording unipolar atrial fibrillation signals from multiple sites in a patient's atria, calculating bipolar electrograms using unipolar AF signals recorded at adjacent sites by a computer system, applying Empirical Mode Decomposition to remove a background from the bipolar electrogram signal to obtain a filtered bipolar electrogram signal, applying Hilbert transform to an envelope function of the filtered bipolar electrogram signal to obtain a time series of instantaneous phases of the filtered bipolar electrogram signal, and identifying a rotor region in patient's atria using the instantaneous phases in the filtered bipolar electrogram signal.

Abstract: A body worn patient monitoring device includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of electrical connections adapted to be coupled to a skin surface to measure physiological signals. The flexible substrate is adapted to be directly and non-permanently affixed to a skin surface of a patient and configured for single patient use. A communication-computation module, removably attached to an upper surface of the flexible substrate, is configured to receive physiological signals from the flexible substrate and includes a microprocessor that is configured to process and analyze the physiological signals. A series of resistive traces screened onto the flexible substrate are configured as at least one series current-limiting resistor to protect the communication-computation module.

Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes two components, a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum oriented top-to-bottom. The placement of the wearable monitor in a location at the sternal midline (or immediately to either side of the sternum) benefits extended wear by removing the requirement that ECG electrodes be continually placed in the same spots on the skin throughout the monitoring period. The wearable monitor can interoperate wirelessly with other physiology and activity sensors and mobile communications devices, to download monitoring data either in real-time or in batches. The monitor recorder can provide data or other information to, or receive data or information from, an interfacing physiology or activity sensor, or mobile communications devices for relay to a further device, such as a server, analysis, or other purpose.

Abstract: A leadless implantable medical device comprises a first electrode configured to deliver electrical pacing energy, a second electrode configured to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity, and a third electrode configurable to both deliver electrical pacing energy and sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. The first and third electrodes are used for delivering electrical pacing energy and the second and third electrodes are used to sense intrinsic electrical cardiac activity. None of the first, second and third electrodes are incorporated into a lead.

Abstract: A problem related to a known eyewear-type electro-oculogram measuring apparatus which detects the eye potential using a pair of electrodes positioned outside both the eyes of a user and a pair of electrodes respectively positioned above and below one eye is that the two pairs of electrodes have had an impact on the skins of users, and discomfort on them. Besides, the electrodes are not excellent in design. The present invention provides eyewear including: a frame; a pair of nose pads; and a first electrode and a second electrode respectively provided on the surface of the pair of nose pads, the first electrode and the second electrode detecting eye potential.

Abstract: Provided is a moisture meter that can easily measure a moisture content of a subject and can be effectively used as means for assisting the subject in appropriately regulating the moisture content. A moisture meter for measuring a moisture content of a subject includes: a moisture measuring unit that is held in an armpit of a subject so as to measure a moisture content of the subject, the moisture measuring unit including measurement current supply electrode portions and voltage measurement electrode portions that make contact with a skin surface of the armpit; and a temperature measuring unit that is held in the armpit of the subject so as to measure the temperature of the subject.

Abstract: Virtual dipole signal amplification for in-body devices, such as implantable and ingestible devices, is provided. Aspects of the in-body deployable antennas of the invention include antennas configured to go from a first configuration to a second configuration following placement in a living body, e.g., via ingestion or implantation. Embodiments of the in-body devices are configured to emit a detectable signal upon contact with a target physiological site. Also provided are methods of making and using the devices of the invention.

Abstract: Provided are a system, method and device for determining one or more physiological parameters of a person.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides apparatus and methods for physically fitting a hearing assistance device, including mathematically characterizing a person's ear canal. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to be mechanically coupled to the person in proximity to the person's outer ear. An ultrasonic transducer array is located within at least a portion of the housing. The apparatus includes electronics within the housing, the electronics adapted to control the transducer array to alternate between transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy. In various embodiments, a processor is adapted to characterize geometry of the ear canal using information from the ultrasonic transducer array obtained from scans of the ear canal.

Abstract: In a concentration measuring device, a measuring light in a wavelength region where an absorbance related to the water in a subject can be practically ignored is irradiated to the subject by a light source. The transmitted light transmitted through the subject is received in a light receiving part. An optical rotation calculation part calculates an optical rotation of the subject by using an output signal from the light receiving part, and an absorbance calculation part calculates an absorbance of the subject by using an output signal from the light receiving part. A concentration calculation part calculates a concentration of glucose by using a glucose measurement data related to an aqueous solution of simple glucose, a protein measurement data related to an aqueous solution of simple protein, the optical rotation calculated by the optical rotation calculation part, and the absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculation part.

Abstract: In imaging an oxygen saturation level of blood, measurement light having a wavelength of 450 to 500 nm, B light, G light, and an R light are sequentially taken out of broad band light BB emitted from a xenon lamp. An internal body portion is imaged under irradiation with the measurement, B, G, and R light to obtain image data B1, B2, G2, and R2, respectively. A correlation memory stores first and second correlations, each being a correlation among the oxygen saturation level and intensity ratios between the image data B1 and G2 and between the image data R2 and G2. When a cumulative lighting time of the xenon lamp is less than a certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the first correlation. When the cumulative lighting time equals or exceeds the certain value, the oxygen saturation level is calculated using the second correlation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for applying time-dependent algorithmic compensation functions to data output from a continuous analyte sensor. Some embodiments determine a time since sensor implantation and/or whether a newly initialized sensor has been used previously.

Abstract: A sleep state management device includes a sensor that detects movement in bedding where a measurement subject is sleeping, and a control unit that calculates a peak value difference, which is a difference between adjacent peak values in a detection signal outputted from the sensor, determines that a period in which a number of times the peak value difference exceeds a threshold is greater than a predetermined value is a period in which the measurement subject has moved, and manages the sleep state of the measurement based on a result of the determination.

Abstract: The invention provides for medical instrument comprising a magnetic resonance imaging system. Execution of the instruction cause a processor controlling the instrument to: execute a magnetic resonance data processing application thereby providing a plug-in framework, execute a protocol definition interface to load a first selection of the plug-ins into the plug-in framework, acquire the magnetic resonance data by using the pulse sequence data to control the magnetic resonance imaging system; and reconstruct a magnetic resonance image from the magnetic resonance data using the first selection of the plug-ins.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a garment for measuring biological information, a measurement system, a measurement device and a method of controlling thereof capable of measuring biological information with accuracy regardless of variations of each examinee. When an examinee wears a shirt, four limb electrodes are arranged at positions so that the electrodes cover the body surface other than around the clavicle. At that time, the four limb electrodes are assigned to positions so that they cover about the pelvis. Also, during the use of the shirt, chest electrodes cover from the body surface (around lower part of left side of the body) of a presternal region around the left thorax in a perpendicular direction of the body axis (a direction perpendicular to the length of the shirt) and the electrodes are assigned so as to cover from the body surface around the fourth rib to that around the sixth rib.

Abstract: Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor that includes a flexible extended wear electrode patch and a removable reusable monitor recorder. The wearable monitor sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum, which significantly improves the ability to sense cutaneously cardiac electric signals, particularly those generated by the atrium. The electrode patch is shaped to fit comfortably and conformal to the contours of the chest approximately centered on the sternal midline. The electrode patch is made from a type of stretchable spunlace fabric. To counter patient bending motions and prevent disadhesion of the electrode patch, the outward-facing aspect of the backing, to which a (non-stretchable) flexible circuit is fixedly attached, stretches at a different rate than the backing's skin-facing aspect, where a skin adhesive removably affixes the electrode patch to the skin.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a system or method for treating heart tissue can include a control system and catheter device operated in a manner to intermittently occlude a heart vessel for controlled periods of time that provide redistribution of blood flow. In particular embodiments, the system and methods may be configured to monitor at least one input signal detected at a coronary sinus and thereby execute a process for determining a satisfactory time period for the occlusion of the coronary sinus. In further embodiments, after the occlusion of the coronary sinus is released, the control system can be configured to select the duration of the release phase before the starting the next occlusion cycle.

Abstract: There is provided a user interface system including a slave device and a master device. The slave device provides light of two different wavelengths to illuminate a finger surface, receives reflected light from the finger surface to generate a plurality of image frames, calculates and outputs an image data associated with a predetermined number of the image frames. The master device calculates a contact status and a displacement of the finger surface and a physiological characteristic of a user according to the image data.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a head fixation apparatus including a number of support posts, and a curved ring portion including a number of connectors configured to adjustably and releasably mount support posts on the lower ring portion, such that the support posts are selectively mounted to a subset of the connectors in a customized arrangement for a patient. The apparatus may include a ring mount configured for fixation to a platform, including a curved channel substantially matching a curvature of the curved ring portion, and a mount locking mechanism for locking the curved ring portion within the channel of the ring mount. The curved ring portion may be configured to rotate within the channel of the ring mount while the ring mount is fixed to the platform, an angular head position of the patient being selectably adjustable while the patient is laying on the platform.

Abstract: In a blood sugar level measuring device, a blood-sugar-level predicting unit predicts a blood sugar level of a user. A light emitting unit irradiates measurement light to the inside of a living organism of the user. A light-emission control unit, a measurement-point-candidate setting unit, a light-amount-control-method determining unit, and a measurement-point selecting unit control a light amount of measurement light per one measurement on the basis of the predicted blood sugar level. A light-reception control unit, a light-absorption-spectrum generating unit, and a blood-sugar-value calculating unit receive reflected light from the user and measure a blood sugar level.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method for monitoring a subject for cardiac arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation using an apparatus that can be comfortably worn by the subject around an area of exposed skin where a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal can be registered. In one embodiment, the apparatus is a reflective or transmissive wrist-worn device with emitter/detector pairs fixed to an inner side of a band with at least one illuminator emitting source light at a specified wavelength band. The illuminator is paired to a respective photodetector comprising one or more sensors that are sensitive to a wavelength band of its paired illuminator. The photodetector measures intensity of sensed light emitted by a respective illuminator. The signal obtained by the sensors comprises a continuous PPG signal. The continuous PPG signal analyzed for peak-to-peak pulse points from which the existence of cardiac arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation event can be determined.

Abstract: The system provides new ways to ensure that a patient is positioned correctly, e.g. identically with an original planning scan if the patient is to undergo radiotherapy. The system also detects if there is patient movement during a scan. It is an aspect of the present method to immobilize the patient based on a specific site of interest by using positioning sensors that record patient physical orientation based on measurements of patient weight distribution and pressure distribution among other features.

Abstract: According to the present embodiment, an image diagnosis apparatus includes a first image taking device that takes an image of a patient placed on a couchtop by using an X-ray emission; a second image taking device that takes images in positions by moving an image taking position of the patient by a predetermined distance at a time, along the body-axis direction; a position estimating unit; and a correction processing unit. The position estimating unit estimates a couchtop position for each of the image taking positions of the second image taking device, based on information about warping of the couchtop of the first image taking device. The correction processing unit uses information about the couchtop positions estimated by the position estimating unit, for performing a position correcting process on the images obtained by the image taking devices.

Abstract: A system and method for indirectly monitoring the position of a target inside a body is disclosed. The method includes generating position data associated with one or more surrogate devices and predicting a location of the target from the position data based on a target position model that establishes a relationship between an actual location of the target and the position data of the one or more surrogate devices. The method also includes determining that the predicted location of the target deviates from the actual location of the target when an analysis of an error prediction model results in a confidence threshold being exceeded.

Abstract: The invention is a system for measuring the true dimensions and orientation of objects in a two dimensional image. The system is comprised of a ruler comprising at least one set of features each comprised of two or more markers that are identifiable in the image and having a known spatial relationship between them and a software package comprising programs that allow extension of the ruler and other objects in the two dimensional image beyond their physical dimensions or shape. The system can be used together with radiographic imagery means, processing means, and display means to take x-ray images and to measure the true dimensions and orientation of objects and to aid in the identification and location of a surgery tool vs. anatomy in those x-ray images. The invention provides a method of drawing and displaying on a two dimensional x-ray image measurements of objects visible in said image, graphical information, or templates of surgical devices.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a scintillator includes a scintillator layer and a radiation absorption layer. Scintillation photons corresponding to incident radiation are generated in the scintillator layer. The radiation absorption layer is laminated to the scintillator layer. The radiation absorption layer faces a detecting surface of a detector that detects the scintillation photons.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition part, a range setting part and a blood vessel image generation part. The image data acquisition part receives one of X-ray contrast image and subtraction image, of an imaging region including blood vessels of an object. The subtraction image are generated by subtraction processing between the X-ray contrast image and non-contrast X-ray image. The range setting part sets a target range in the X-ray contrast image or subtraction image. The blood vessel image generation part derives time changes in concentrations of a contrast agent based on the X-ray contrast image or subtraction image, and generates blood vessel image having pixel values corresponding to times, at which concentrations of the contrast agent become a specific condition, within the target range and pixel values corresponding to concentrations of the contrast agent outside the target range.

Abstract: An X-ray diagnosis apparatus includes: a reference value calculating unit that calculates a reference value used for normalizing a flow of a contrast material, on the basis of a chronological transition of a signal intensity of the contrast material in a predetermined region, for each of a plurality of groups of X-ray images chronologically taken while using the contrast material; an index image generating unit that normalizes, for each of the plurality of groups of X-ray images, the flow of the contrast material at each of pixels by using the reference value calculated by the reference value calculating unit and that generates an image in which a feature value of the normalized flow of the contrast material is reflected in each of the pixels; and a displayed image calculating unit that causes a predetermined display unit to display the image generated by the index image generating unit.

Abstract: A radiographic imaging apparatus comprising: a radiation detector configured to be detachable with respect to a patient platform and detect radiation transmitted through an object in one of a moving image capturing mode and a still image capturing mode; a detection unit configured to detect a shift timing of an image capturing mode; a cooling mechanism configured to cool the radiation detector in one of a first cooling mode and a second cooling mode having a higher cooling capacity than the first cooling mode; and a control unit configured to switch the cooling modes of the cooling mechanism based on detection by the detection unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an X-ray imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray emitter to irradiate an object with X-rays and be movable, an X-ray detector to detect X-rays having passed through the object, convert the detected X-rays into an electric signal, and be movable, a location information collector to collect location information regarding the object, and a controller to control the X-ray emitter or the X-ray detector based on the location information regarding the object collected by the location information collector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods for use in ultrasound guiding of percutaneous probes during medical procedures. The ultrasound devices of the present invention include an ultrasound transducer. The devices can also include means and methods for imaging a virtual probe overlaying the sonogram formed by the ultrasound device such that a real time image of the probe approach to the target may be observed during and after probe placement.

Abstract: To determine the elastic modulus of biologic tissue, a sequence of elasticity images and a sequence of B-mode ultrasound images are acquired simultaneously. Then, at least one sub-sequence of the B-mode ultrasound images representing a resting state is generated from said sequence of B-mode ultrasound images. Based on the sub-sequence of the B-mode ultrasound images, a subsequence of the elasticity images is generated by selecting and/or modifying those elasticity images. Finally, the elastic modulus is determined based on the sub-sequence of the elasticity images. Also disclosed are a method for determining changes of the elastic modulus of a tissue, a method of identifying biological tissue based on the determined elastic modulus and a device for determining the elastic modulus of a biological tissue.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging apparatus or techniques can include obtaining at least an approximation of samples of reflected ultrasonic energy and constructing a representation of an imaging plane within the tissue region. Such apparatus or techniques can include separately determining, for respective focusing locations respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy obtained via respective first lines of transducers, and separately determining, for the specified focusing location, a second sum of at least some the respective first sums of at least approximated complex samples of reflected ultrasonic energy, the second sum corresponding to a second line of transducers in the ultrasonic transducer array. The separately determining the first or second sums of at least approximated complex samples can include phase-rotating at least some of the complex samples. The second line of transducers can be orthogonal to respective first lines in the transducer plane.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a decomposing unit, a diffusion filter unit, an adjusting unit, and a reconstructing unit. The decomposing unit decomposes ultrasound image data into low-frequency and high-frequency decomposed image data at each of a predetermined number of levels, by a multi-resolution analysis. The diffusion filter unit applies a diffusion filter to the low-frequency and high-frequency decomposed image data at the lowest level and applies, at each of the levels other than the lowest, a diffusion filter to data output from the level immediately underneath and to the high-frequency decomposed image data, and also generates edge information for each of the levels. The adjusting unit adjusts a signal level of the high-frequency decomposed image data for each of the levels, based on the edge information. The reconstructing unit obtains corrected data of the ultrasound image data by performing a multi-resolution synthesis.

Abstract: An apparatus for penetrating the bone marrow of a bone is provided. The apparatus includes a handle having a drive shaft, a connector having a first end operable to connect to a drive shaft and a second end operable to connect to a penetrator hub and a penetrator hub having a penetrator that accesses the bone marrow.

Abstract: A biopsy system with a grid plate used as either a lateral or medial compression plate of a localization fixture used with a breast coil includes a rotatable guide cube that may be inserted into a desired rectangular recess in the grid plate after rotating to position a selected guide hole in the desired spatial orientation. Versions of a guide cube include those rotatable in two axes to provide additional hole positions, angled holes, enlarged circular holes that function with a rotating guide to support a noncircular biopsy instrument cannula (e.g., trocar/sleeve combination, core biopsy probe of a biopsy device) for rotation. A rotating guide may have an unlocked state for easily sliding to a selected longitudinal position thereon. Thereafter, the rotating guide is locked to serve as a positive depth stop (e.g., quarter turn locking elastomeric rings, triangular and scissor clips, and shutter depth stops).

Abstract: A biopsy device comprises a handpiece, a fluid collection system, and a power transmission source. The handpiece is configured for grasping by a single hand, and is independently manipulatable by hand for movement of the instrument toward and away from the patient. An elongated piercer extends from the distal end of the handpiece. The piercer has a sharpened distal end for entering the tissue and a port located proximal to the sharpened distal end for receiving a portion of tissue mass. An elongated cutter is disposed coaxially relative to a piercer lumen of the piercer. A distal blade of the cutter slides distally past the port of the piercer to sever the tissue portion drawn into the port by vacuum. The handpiece further comprises a holster for detachably connecting a cutter rotational transmission and a cutter axial transmission to the power transmission source.

Abstract: A biopsy system includes a biopsy device and a vacuum control module. The biopsy device includes a cannula and a cutter that translates relative to the cannula to obtain tissue samples. The vacuum control module includes a source of vacuum in communication with the cutter and a user interface. The user interface includes a first page and a second page. The first page has a first graphical representation to indicate the operational status of the biopsy device and does not accept user inputs to alter the operational status of the biopsy device. The second page has at least one icon to adjust the operational status of the biopsy device indicated on the first page and a second graphical representation to indicate the adjustment to the operational status of the biopsy device. The user interface includes a user input feature to select the first page or the second page.

Abstract: A filament laterally spans a tear, fissure or other defect in an annulus. One portion of the filament is anchored to the annulus by passing at least one first anchor through the annulus and into the nucleus on one side of the fissure, and with a second portion of the filament being anchored to the annulus by passing at least one second anchor through the annulus and into the nucleus on a second side of the fissure, with the at least one first and second anchors being drawn back through the nucleus and against the inner surface of the posterior annulus by the application of a significant (e.g., about 15N to 25N) axial tension applied perpendicular to the posterior wall of the annulus, and with the fissure being drawn closed by the subsequent application of a significant axial tension applied perpendicular to the posterior wall of the annulus.

Abstract: A retractor with at least two spreader arms that can be displaced relative to one another and can be blocked by a blocking device and on their end sections are provided with blades that can be displaced in their gripping ranges. The blades are of unit construction and are inserted so that they can slide in linear guides forms from spreader arms in such a manner that can be fixed in a range of freely chosen positions each corresponding to various griping ranges by means of a releasable fixing device.

Abstract: A clamp ring includes a generally arced portion. The generally arced portion has a top half and a bottom half each having a guide channel formed therein, the top half and the bottom half each have an exterior portion and an interior portion defining boundaries of the guide channels. The interior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of interior reliefs formed therein and the exterior portions together have a partially circular cross section with a number of exterior reliefs formed therein that is greater than zero and equal to or greater than the number of interior reliefs formed in the interior portions.

Abstract: A bone fixation assembly can include a suture button, a bone plate, and a suture assembly. The suture button can include a body that has a first end surface, a second end surface, and a circumferential outer surface. A first pair of passages can be formed through the body from the first end surface to the second end surface. The circumferential outer surface can include at least one protrusion or retaining rib extending radially therefrom. The bone plate defines an aperture. The suture button is configured to be at least partially received into the aperture in an assembled position such that the retaining rib engages the bone plate and inhibits withdrawal of the suture button from the aperture in the assembled position. The suture assembly includes a suture engaging member and a suture configured to couple the suture engaging member in the suture button.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.

Abstract: An insertion needle that is turnably mounted on a handle, which holds the insertion needle, wherein the insertion needle includes a turn arm that turns so as to face the tip of the insertion needle, and a target site that guides the insertion needle provided on the tip of the turn arm, and is further provided with: through-holes in two locations that are provided separated in the longitudinal direction of the tip of the insertion needle; an indentation formed between these through-holes; and a groove in the direction from the tip of the insertion needle toward the base of the insertion needle. Furthermore, the insertion needle is suitably used in urinary incontinence surgery, pelvic organ prolapse surgery or the like.

Abstract: The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophageal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments.

Abstract: A surgical device comprising a first jaw member, a second jaw member, a clamping member and a clamp apparatus is disclosed. The clamping member is slidably positioned to translate at least partially through the first jaw member. The clamping member engages the first jaw member and the second jaw member, and has a knife blade for cutting tissue. A flange of the clamping member is configured to engage a cam surface to pivot the second jaw member with respect to the first jaw member from an open position toward an approximated position. The clamp apparatus is movable from a retracted position to an advanced position for preventing a gap between proximal portions of the first jaw member and the second jaw member from exceeding a predetermined distance. The clamping member and the clamp apparatus are separately movable.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument is provided having systems for securing buttress material to the anvil and staple containing cartridge associated with the surgical instrument. The system includes a retainer configured to engage the anvil or the staple containing cartridge and capture the buttress material between the retainer and the anvil or staple containing cartridge. The disclose retainer engages the anvil or staple containing cartridge in snap fit or friction fit fashion. The buttress material includes a circumferential perforation line enabling the center of the buttress material to be stapled to tissue while the remainder of the buttress material remains with the anvil or staple containing cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical stapling device includes a tissue contacting surface and a buttress attachment feature. The buttress attachment feature permits selectively securing a surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface, which may be disposed on a cartridge assembly or an anvil plate of the surgical stapling device. The buttress attachment feature may include a shape memory alloy, such as a nickel titanium alloy, that is responsive to a temperature change to allow the buttress attachment feature to move between a first position where a free end of the buttress attachment feature is substantially spaced from the tissue contacting surface, and second position where the surgical attachment feature is approximated with respect to the tissue contacting surface.