BUTTRESS MATERIAL FOR A SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT
A piece of buttress material and an end-effector of a surgical instrument including features which can aid a surgeon in properly and quickly attaching the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In various embodiments, a piece of buttress material can include retention features which can be engaged with portions of an end-effector to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to at least a portion of the end-effector. Similarly, an end-effector can include features configured to engage portions of a piece of buttress material to releasably retain the piece of buttress material to the end-effector. In at least one embodiment, more than one piece of buttress material can be releasably retained to an end-effector.
1 . A surgical assembly for use with an end-effector of a surgical instrument, the surgical assembly comprising:
a jaw;
a sleeve configured to be positioned around at least a portion of said jaw; and
a piece of buttress material, comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion, wherein said second portion is attached to said sleeve;
a detachment feature defined intermediate said first portion and said second portion, wherein said detachment feature is configured to allow said first portion to be separated from said second portion.
2 . The surgical assembly of claim 1 , wherein said jaw includes a portion of an anvil, and wherein said sleeve includes at least one staple pocket defined therein configured to deform a staple.
3 . The surgical assembly of claim 2 , wherein said sleeve is configured to be press-fit onto said jaw.
4 . The surgical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the end-effector is configured to deploy staples into tissue, and wherein said first portion is configured to detach from said second portion after the staples are deployed into the tissue.
5 . The surgical assembly of claim 1 , wherein the end-effector is configured to deploy staples into tissue, and wherein said first portion is configured to detach from said second portion while the staples are deployed into the tissue.
6 . The surgical assembly of claim 1 , wherein said detachment feature includes at least one perforation.
7 . An end-effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end-effector assembly comprising:
an anvil;
a staple cartridge; and
a piece of buttress material, comprising:
a first portion;
a second portion, wherein said second portion is attached to one of said anvil and said staple cartridge; and
a detachment feature defined intermediate said first portion and said second portion, wherein said detachment feature is configured to allow said first portion to be separated from said second portion.
8 . The end-effector assembly of claim 7 , wherein at least one of said anvil and said staple cartridge include a slot therein, wherein at least one of said sleeve and said first portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said projection is configured to be press-fit within said slot to retain said sleeve to the end effector assembly.
9 . The end-effector assembly of claim 7 , wherein staple cartridge includes a plurality of staples stored therein which are configured to be deployed into tissue, and wherein said first portion is configured to detach from said second portion after said staples are deployed into the tissue.
10 . The end-effector assembly of claim 7 , wherein staple cartridge includes a plurality of staples stored therein which are configured to be deployed into tissue, and wherein said first portion is configured to detach from said second portion while said staples are deployed into the tissue.
11 . A package assembly for use with an end-effector of a surgical instrument, comprising:
a piece of buttress material including an un-activated adhesive thereon; and
an energy source, wherein said energy source is configured to provide energy to said un-activated adhesive to activate said adhesive.
12 . The package assembly of claim 11 , wherein said energy source is an electrical energy source.
13 . The package assembly of claim 12 , further comprising a first contact and a second contact, wherein said first and second contacts are in communication with said energy source, and wherein said first and second contacts are configured receive said energy.
14 . The package assembly of claim 11 , wherein said un-activated adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive, and wherein said energy source is configured to provide heat to said first and second contacts to melt said adhesive.
15 . A package assembly for use with an end-effector of a surgical instrument, comprising:
a piece of buttress material, wherein said piece of buttress material includes an un-activated adhesive; and
an initiator configured to activate said adhesive.
16 . The package assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a chemical configured to exothermally react with said initiator, wherein the exothermic reaction is configured to at least partially melt said adhesive.
17 . The package assembly of claim 16 , further comprising a sheet, wherein said chemical is separated from said initiator by said sheet, and wherein, when said sheet is moved between a first position and a second position, said initiator is capable of reacting with said chemical.
18 . The package assembly of claim 15 , wherein said initiator is releasably stored within the package assembly.
19 . The package assembly of claim 15 , wherein said initiator and said adhesive are components of a binary adhesive.