LAYER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGES
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 - 16 . (canceled)
17 . An end effector for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a staple cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck configured to support the tissue;
a first lateral side;
a second lateral side;
staple cavities; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing member movable toward said distal end to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke;
buttress material positioned over said deck, wherein said buttress material comprises an aperture defined therein;
a first release string engaged with said buttress material, wherein said first release string is releasable from said buttress material prior to the completion of said firing stroke;
a second release string engaged with said buttress material; and
an engaging projection received within said aperture which is configured to limit lateral displacement of said buttress material between said first release string and said second release string.
18 . The end effector of claim 17 , wherein said second release string is releasable from said buttress material prior to the completion of said firing stroke.
19 . The end effector of claim 17 , further comprising an adhesive configured to releasably hold said buttress material to said deck.
20 . The end effector of claim 17 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument.
21 . The end effector of claim 17 , wherein said first release string and said second release string are configured to hold said buttress material in position over said deck prior to said firing stroke.
22 . The end effector of claim 17 , wherein said first release string extends relative to said first lateral side, and wherein said second release string extends relative to said second lateral side.
23 . An end effector for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a staple cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck configured to support the tissue;
a first lateral side;
a second lateral side;
staple cavities; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing member movable toward said distal end to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke;
an implantable layer positioned over said deck, wherein said layer comprises an aperture defined therein;
a first release thread engaged with said layer, wherein said first release thread is releasable from said layer prior to the completion of said firing stroke;
a second release thread engaged with said layer; and
an engaging projection received within said aperture which is configured to limit lateral displacement of said layer between said proximal end and said distal end.
24 . The end effector of claim 23 , wherein said second release thread is releasable from said layer prior to the completion of said firing stroke.
25 . The end effector of claim 23 , further comprising an adhesive configured to releasably hold said layer to said deck.
26 . The end effector of claim 23 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument.
27 . The end effector of claim 23 , wherein said first release thread and said second release thread are configured to hold said layer in position over said deck prior to said firing stroke.
28 . The end effector of claim 23 , wherein said first release thread extends relative to said first lateral side, and wherein said second release thread extends relative to said second lateral side.
29 . An end effector for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
a staple cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a deck configured to support the tissue;
a first lateral side;
a second lateral side;
staple cavities; and
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing member movable toward said distal end to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing stroke;
an implantable layer positioned over said deck, wherein said layer comprises an opening defined therein;
a first cord engaged with said layer, wherein said first cord is releasable from said layer prior to the completion of said firing stroke;
a second cord engaged with said layer; and
a projection positioned within said opening which is configured to limit lateral displacement of said layer between said first cord and said second cord.
30 . The end effector of claim 29 , wherein said second cord is releasable from said layer prior to the completion of said firing stroke.
31 . The end effector of claim 29 , further comprising an adhesive configured to releasably hold said layer to said deck.
32 . The end effector of claim 29 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument.
33 . The end effector of claim 29 , wherein said first cord and said second cord are configured to hold said layer in position over said deck prior to said firing stroke.
34 . The end effector of claim 29 , wherein said first cord extends relative to said first lateral side, and wherein said second cord extends relative to said second lateral side.