Layer arrangements for surgical staple cartridges

Abstract

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 . A staple cartridge assembly for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot;   a proximal end;   a distal end;   a deck configured to support the tissue;   staple cavities defined in said deck;   staples removably stored in said staple cavities;   buttress material positioned over said deck;   an absorbable polymer adhesive positioned intermediate said buttress material and said deck configured to releasably hold said buttress material to said deck, wherein said absorbable polymer adhesive comprises a compliant matrix; and   a cutting member configured to move within said longitudinal slot and incise said buttress material without substantially pushing said buttress material distally within said end effector.   
     
     
         18 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , wherein said absorbable polymer comprises urethane. 
     
     
         19 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument. 
     
     
         20 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a proximal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck; and   a distal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck.   
     
     
         21 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 17 , further comprising an anvil configured to deform said staples. 
     
     
         22 . A staple cartridge assembly for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot;   a proximal end;   a distal end;   a deck configured to support the tissue, wherein said deck comprises a first step comprising a first step height and a second step comprising a second step height which is different than said first step height;   staple cavities defined in said deck comprising a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first step and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second step;   staples removably stored in said staple cavities;   buttress material positioned over said deck;   an absorbable polymer adhesive positioned intermediate said buttress material and said deck configured to releasably hold said buttress material to said first step and said second step, wherein said absorbable polymer adhesive comprises a flexible matrix; and   a cutting member configured to move within said longitudinal slot and incise said buttress material without substantially pushing said buttress material distally within said end effector.   
     
     
         23 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said absorbable polymer comprises urethane. 
     
     
         24 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument. 
     
     
         25 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 a proximal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck; and   a distal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck.   
     
     
         26 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 21 , further comprising an anvil configured to deform said staples. 
     
     
         27 . A staple cartridge assembly for stapling the tissue of a patient, comprising:
 a cartridge body comprising a longitudinal slot;   a proximal end;   a distal end;   a deck configured to support the tissue, wherein said deck comprises a first step comprising a first step height and a second step comprising a second step height which is different than said first step height;   staple cavities defined in said deck comprising a first longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said first step and a second longitudinal row of staple cavities defined in said second step;   staples removably stored in said staple cavities;   buttress material positioned over said deck;   an absorbable polymer adhesive positioned intermediate said buttress material and said deck configured to releasably hold said buttress material to said first step and said second step, wherein said absorbable polymer adhesive comprises a compliant form; and   a cutting member configured to move within said longitudinal slot and incise said buttress material without substantially pushing said buttress material distally within said end effector.   
     
     
         28 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 27 , wherein said absorbable polymer comprises urethane. 
     
     
         29 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising an attachment portion configured to be attached to a shaft of a surgical stapling instrument. 
     
     
         30 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a proximal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck; and   a distal retention member configured to releasably retain said buttress material to said deck.   
     
     
         31 . The staple cartridge assembly of  claim 27 , further comprising an anvil configured to deform said staples.