Staple cartridge comprising a releasable adjunct material
A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises cartridge body and a layer. The layer is implantable against tissue by staples deployed from the cartridge body and deformed by an anvil. The cartridge and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the cartridge and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the cartridge body. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the anvil and the layer comprise co-operating features which reduce relative movement between the anvil and the layer. Such co-operating features can also releasably retain the layer to the anvil. In certain instances, the layer can be positioned against the anvil, but releasably attached to the cartridge. The layer can comprise buttress material and/or a tissue thickness compensator, for example.
1. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
an anvil, comprising:
a tissue-facing side;
an anvil layer positioned over said tissue-facing side of said anvil; and
an anvil layer attachment, wherein said anvil layer attachment reduces slippage between said anvil and said anvil layer prior to a firing motion; and
a staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface; and
staple cavities;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
a sled movable between a proximal position toward a distal position within said longitudinal slot to eject said staples from said staple cavities;
a cartridge layer positioned over said deck; and
a cartridge layer attachment, wherein said anvil layer attachment is positioned within said longitudinal slot on a first side of said sled, wherein said cartridge layer attachment is positioned within said longitudinal slot on a second side of said sled, and wherein the movement of said sled during a firing motion progressively releases said anvil layer attachment and said cartridge layer attachment from said longitudinal slot.
2. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a knife, wherein said knife is configured to incise said anvil layer attachment and said cartridge layer attachment during a firing motion.
3. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal slot comprises an anvil layer attachment recess and a cartridge layer attachment recess.
4. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said anvil layer attachment is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
5. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cartridge layer attachment is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
6. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said cartridge layer further comprises a second attachment at said distal end of said cartridge body.
7. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 1 , wherein said anvil layer further comprises a second attachment at a distal end of said anvil.
8. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
an anvil, comprising:
a tissue-facing side;
an anvil layer positioned over said tissue-facing side of said anvil; and
an anvil layer attachment, wherein said anvil layer attachment holds said anvil layer in place prior to a firing motion; and
a staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
a firing member movable between a proximal position toward a distal position within said longitudinal slot to eject said staples from said staple cavities;
a cartridge layer positioned over said deck; and
a cartridge layer attachment, wherein said anvil layer attachment is friction fit within said longitudinal slot on a first side of said firing member, wherein said cartridge layer attachment is friction fit within said longitudinal slot on a second side of said firing member, and wherein the movement of said firing member during a firing motion dislodges said anvil layer attachment and said cartridge layer attachment from said longitudinal slot.
9. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said firing member further comprises a knife, wherein said knife is configured to incise said anvil layer attachment and said cartridge layer attachment during a firing motion.
10. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said longitudinal slot comprises an anvil layer attachment recess and a cartridge layer attachment recess.
11. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said anvil layer attachment is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
12. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said cartridge layer attachment is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
13. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said cartridge layer further comprises a second attachment at said distal end of said cartridge body.
14. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 8 , wherein said anvil layer further comprises a second attachment at a distal end of said anvil.
15. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
an anvil, comprising:
a tissue-facing side;
an anvil layer positioned over said tissue-facing side of said anvil; and
an anvil layer connector, wherein said anvil layer connector reduces movement of said anvil layer before a firing motion; and
a staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface; and
a plurality of staple cavities;
a plurality of staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
a sled movable between a proximal position toward a distal position within said longitudinal slot to eject said staples from said staple cavities;
a cartridge layer positioned over said deck; and
a cartridge layer connector, wherein said anvil layer connector is wedged within said longitudinal slot on a first side of said sled, wherein said cartridge layer connector is wedged within said longitudinal slot on a second side of said sled, and wherein the movement of said sled during a firing motion releases said anvil layer connector and said cartridge layer connector from said longitudinal slot.
16. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , further comprising a knife, wherein said knife is configured to incise said anvil layer connector and said cartridge layer connector during a firing motion.
17. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , wherein said longitudinal slot comprises an anvil layer connector recess and a cartridge layer connector recess.
18. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , wherein said anvil layer connector is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
19. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , wherein said cartridge layer connector is positioned in said longitudinal slot at said proximal end of said cartridge body.
20. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , wherein said cartridge layer further comprises a second connector at said distal end of said cartridge body.
21. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 15 , wherein said anvil layer further comprises a second connector at a distal end of said anvil.
22. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
an anvil, comprising:
a tissue compression surface; and
an anvil layer positioned over said tissue compression surface comprising an anvil layer connector; and
a staple cartridge, comprising:
a cartridge body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a longitudinal slot;
a deck comprising a tissue-supporting surface; and
staple cavities;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
a sled movable between a proximal position toward a distal position within said longitudinal slot to eject said staples from said staple cavities during a firing motion; and
a cartridge layer positioned over said deck comprising a cartridge layer connector, wherein said anvil layer connector and said cartridge layer connector are held to said staple cartridge when said sled is in said proximal position, and wherein the distal movement of said sled during said firing motion releases said anvil layer connector and said cartridge layer connector from said staple cartridge.