Surgical Apparatus Including Surgical Buttress

Abstract

A surgical buttress includes a body portion and a band disposed on each of the distal and proximal ends thereof. The surgical buttress is configured to attach to an end effector of a surgical stapling apparatus. The body portion, having perforations disposed thereon, overlies the working surface of one of the first or second jaws of the end effector. A resilient portion extends transversely beyond the side edges of the first or second jaws. Each band remains attached to the end effector following the firing thereof. The proximal band is removably attachable to a hook feature disposed on one of the first or second jaws of the end effector. The surgical buttress can be made from suitable degradable or non-degradable materials. One embodiment contemplates a detachable and disposable single use loading unit. A method of attaching the surgical buttress to a surgical apparatus is also envisioned.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
 an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first jaw having a distal end and sides;   a plurality of fasteners disposed in fastener slots of the first jaw, and fastener forming pockets being provided on the second jaw; and   a surgical buttress having a body portion, a band connected to a distal end thereof, and resilient side skirt, the band being connected to the first jaw and encircling the distal end of the first jaw, the resilient side skirt engaging the sides of the first jaw;   the body portion of the surgical buttress being configured and dimensioned to substantially overlie at least some of the fastener slots of the first jaw.   
   
   
       22 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the resilient side skirt extends transversely beyond at least one side edge of the first jaw. 
   
   
       23 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the band comprises a resilient portion 
   
   
       24 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the band and resilient side skirt are configured and dimensioned to remain attached to the first jaw following the firing of the surgical stapling apparatus. 
   
   
       25 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein at least the body portion of the at least one surgical buttress is made from degradable materials selected from the group comprising natural collagenous materials, cat gut, or synthetic resins including those derived from alkylene carbonates including trimethylene carbonate, tetramethylene carbonate; caprolactone, valerolactone, dioxanone, polyanhydrides, polyesters, polyacrylates, polymethylmethacrylates, polyurethanes, glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide, polyhydroxy butyrates, polyorthoester, polyhydroxy alkanoates, homopolymers thereof, and copolymers thereof. 
   
   
       26 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein at least the body portion of the at least one surgical buttress is made from non-degradable materials selected from the group comprising polyolefins, including polyethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polypropylene, copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, and blends of polyethylene and polypropylene; ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyamides; polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate; polytetrafluoroethylene; polyether-esters including polybutester; polytetramethylene ether glycol; 1,4-butanediol; polyurethanes; and combinations thereof; silk; cotton, linen, and carbon fibers. 
   
   
       27 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising a second band connected to a proximal end of the at least one surgical buttress for connection to a proximal end of the first jaw. 
   
   
       28 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the second band is configured and dimensioned to remain attached to the end effector following the firing of the surgical stapling apparatus. 
   
   
       29 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 27 , further comprising a hook feature disposed on the proximal end of the first jaw of the end effector, wherein the second band is configured and dimensioned to engage the hook feature. 
   
   
       30 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the body portion of the at least one surgical buttress includes a plurality of perforations. 
   
   
       31 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 30 , wherein the perforations are disposed along the perimeter of the body portion of the surgical buttress. 
   
   
       32 . A surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a surgical buttress connected to the second jaw and having a body portion, a band connected to a distal end thereof, and a resilient side skirt, the band being connected to the second jaw and encircling the distal end of the second jaw, the resilient side skirt engaging the sides of the second jaw,   the body portion of the surgical buttress being configured and dimensioned to substantially overlie at least some of the fastener forming pockets of the second jaw.   
   
   
       33 . A surgical buttress for use with a surgical stapling apparatus, the surgical buttress comprising:
 a body portion defining a length and a width, the body portion having sides, a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the body portion is configured and dimensioned to substantially overlie a portion of at least some of the fastener slots of a first jaw of an end effector of the surgical stapling apparatus or the fastener pockets of a second jaw of the end effector of the surgical stapling apparatus;   at least one band connected to the distal end of the body portion, wherein the at least one band encircles a portion of the end effector; and   a resilient side skirt engaging the sides of the first jaw or second jaw.   
   
   
       34 . A surgical buttress according to  claim 33 , wherein the at least one band comprises a resilient portion of the buttress. 
   
   
       35 . A surgical buttress according to  claim 33 , wherein at least the body portion is made from materials selected from the group comprising: natural collagenous materials, cat gut, or synthetic resins including those derived from alkylene carbonates including trimethylene carbonate, tetramethylene carbonate; caprolactone, valerolactone, dioxanone, polyanhydrides, polyesters, polyacrylates, polymethylmethacrylates, polyurethanes, glycolic acid, lactic acid, glycolide, lactide, polyhydroxy butyrates, polyorthoester, polyhydroxy alkanoates, homopolymers thereof, and copolymers thereof, polyolefins, including polyethylene, polydimethylsiloxane, polypropylene, copolymers of polyethylene and polypropylene, and blends of polyethylene and polypropylene; ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyamides; polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate; polytetrafluoroethylene; polyether-esters including polybutester; polytetramethylene ether glycol; 1,4-butanediol; polyurethanes; and combinations thereof; silk; cotton, linen, and carbon fibers.