Buttress applier cartridge for surgical stapler having end effector with deflectable curved tip

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing defining a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the housing includes proximal and distal portions;

(b) a platform coupled with the housing, wherein a portion of the platform is exposed within the gap defined by the housing, wherein the platform includes proximal and distal portions; and

(c) a first buttress assembly positioned on at least the proximal portion of the platform, wherein the first buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing,

wherein at least one of the distal portion of the platform or the distal portion of the housing includes a cavity extending distally beyond the gap, wherein the cavity extends completely through the platform such that the cavity is configured to receive a curved distal tip of the end effector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the curved distal tip of the end effector is configured maintain its curved shape and not deform against the platform when the end effector is in the closed configuration on the platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the curved distal tip is configured to extend below a staple deck of the opposing staple cartridge of the end effector in the closed configuration when received within the cavity.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cavity extends perpendicular to the platform, and wherein the cavity has a cross-sectional area that increases moving towards the platform.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein an inner perimeter of the cavity is configured to closely accommodate an outer perimeter the curved distal tip of the end effector.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the cavity does not extend across the entire width of the gap.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is symmetric about a plane defined by the platform.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes first and second opposing jaws, wherein the first jaw includes the curved distal tip and the second jaw includes a staple cartridge, wherein the proximal portion of the platform is configured to be between the first and second opposing jaws.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes first and second opposing jaws, wherein the first jaw includes the curved distal tip and the second jaw includes a staple cartridge, wherein the distal portion of the housing or the distal portion of the platform includes a first angled surface that is configured to be in abutting contact with a distal angled portion of the staple cartridge.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the platform includes first and second opposing sides, wherein the cavity is adjacent the first side and the first angled surface is adjacent the second side, wherein the first angled surface is configured to assist in placement of the staple cartridge.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first buttress assembly comprises:

(i) a body, and

(ii) an adhesive layer, wherein the adhesive layer is exposed in the gap defined by the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a second buttress assembly, wherein the first buttress assembly is positioned on a first side of the platform and the second buttress assembly is positioned on a second side of the platform disposed opposite the first side.

13. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing defining a gap configured to receive a portion of an end effector of a surgical stapler, wherein the housing includes proximal and distal portions;

(b) a platform coupled with the housing, wherein the platform includes first and second opposing sides, wherein a portion of the platform is exposed within the gap defined by the housing, wherein the platform includes proximal and distal portions; and

(c) a first buttress assembly positioned on the first side of the platform, wherein the first buttress assembly is exposed within the gap defined by the housing,

wherein at least one of the distal portion of the platform or the distal portion of the housing includes a cavity adjacent the first side of the platform, wherein the cavity extends distally beyond the gap, wherein the cavity is configured to receive a curved distal tip of a first jaw of the end effector, and

wherein at least one of the distal portion of the platform or the distal portion of the housing includes an angled surface extending across the gap adjacent the second side of the platform, wherein the angled surface is configured to assist in placement of a staple cartridge disposed on a second jaw of the end effector adjacent the second side of the platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , further comprising a second buttress assembly on the second side of the platform, wherein the second buttress assembly is exposed in the gap defined by the housing.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the cavity extends completely through the platform, wherein the curved distal tip of the end effector is configured to maintain its curved shape and not deform against the platform when the end effector is in the closed configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the cavity extends through a portion of the angled surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein an inner perimeter of the cavity is configured to closely accommodate an outer perimeter the curved distal tip of the end effector.

18. A method of securing a buttress assembly to an end effector having first and second opposing jaws, the method comprising:

(a) positioning a platform of a buttress applier cartridge between the first and second jaws while the first and second jaws are in an open configuration, wherein the platform has a buttress disposed thereon;

(b) driving one or both of the first and second jaws toward the platform to thereby engage the buttress assembly with one of the first and second jaws, wherein a distal portion of the buttress applier cartridge includes a cavity extending distally beyond the gap, wherein the cavity is sized and shaped to receive a curved distal tip of one of the first or second jaws, wherein the curved distal tip extends beyond a staple deck of a staple cartridge of the other of first or second jaws when in the closed configuration; and

(c) driving one or both of the first or second jaws away from the platform to thereby pull the buttress assembly off of the platform.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein driving one or both of the first and second jaws toward the platform further comprises receiving the curved distal tip within the cavity that extends completely through the platform such that the curved distal tip maintain its curved shape and does not deform against the platform when the end effector is in the closed configuration on the platform.