Patent ID: 9192380
Filing Date: 2015-11-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of releasing a surgical buttress from a surgical stapling apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a tool assembly including a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly defining a longitudinal axis, at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly being movable in relation to the other of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; providing a surgical buttress releasably secured to a tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly, the surgical buttress secured to the anvil assembly by a first connecting member extending transversely across the surgical buttress, the anvil assembly configured to receive a portion of the first connecting member; providing a drive assembly slidably disposed through the tool assembly; providing a release mechanism operatively engaged with the drive assembly and configured to engage the first connecting member; moving the drive assembly along the longitudinal axis; and contacting the release mechanism with the drive assembly such that the release mechanism severs the first connecting member by an actuation of the release mechanism along the longitudinal axis to release the surgical buttress from the anvil assembly.