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 . 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.