Patent ID: 7547312

Claim:
An implantable medical device adapted to reinforce a surgical opening formed in a patient with a circular stapler having a cutting blade, said device comprising: a buttress material adapted for mounting on said circular stapler, said stapler having an anvil that is larger in diameter than said surgical opening that is created by said cutting blade, wherein following stapling with said stapler and cutting with said cutting blade, said buttress material is adapted to reinforce stapled tissue surrounding said surgical opening created by said cutting blade in said patient and has an adaptive opening formed therein; wherein the buttress material comprises a bioabsorbable web material substantially in the form of a circle, said circular web material having an outer edge and a centrally located opening delimiting an inner edge; at least two disruptable areas positioned along said outer edge of said circular web material and at least two protrusions of web material each extending beyond each of said at least two disruptable areas, wherein said protrusions are adapted to attach said buttress material to said circular stapler; a series of slits in said bioabsorbable web material positioned between said outer edge and said inner edge of said circular web material; wherein said series of slits serve to create said adaptive opening in said buttress material; wherein said adaptive opening corresponds to said surgical opening in said patient and has a diameter smaller than said diameter of said anvil; and wherein said adaptive opening allows said anvil to be removed therethrough without causing permanent alteration to said buttress material.