Patent ID: 8371491

Claim:
An end-effector assembly for use with a surgical stapler, the end-effector assembly comprising: a staple cartridge including a deck, wherein said deck comprises a surface, a plurality of apertures defined by the surface, and a longitudinal slot substantially bifurcating the surface; a blade positioned to traverse distally within the longitudinal slot; an anvil including a face; a first piece of buttress material including a first opening, wherein said first piece of buttress material is configured to be positioned intermediate said staple cartridge and said anvil on a first side of said longitudinal slot such that said first opening is substantially aligned with a first aperture selected from said apertures; a second piece of buttress material including a second opening, wherein said second piece of buttress material is configured to be positioned intermediate said staple cartridge and said anvil on a second side of said longitudinal slot opposite said first piece of buttress material such that said second opening is substantially aligned with a second aperture selected from said apertures; and first and second connection members, wherein the first connection member is configured to be positioned within said first opening and said first aperture to releasably retain said first piece of buttress material to said staple cartridge, wherein the second connection member is configured to be positioned within said second opening and said second aperture to releasably retain said second piece of buttress material to said staple cartridge, and wherein at least said first connection member-comprises: a head comprising a perimeter that is larger than said first opening of said first buttress material, wherein said head is configured to engage said first buttress material and inhibit said first buttress material from lifting away from said deck surface when said first connection member is engaged with said first aperture; and a body removably positioned within said first aperture, wherein said body comprises a perimeter smaller than the perimeter of the head and configured such that a sidewall of said first opening is configured to engage said body perimeter and inhibit said first buttress material from sliding along said deck surface, wherein said body comprises a first end coupled to said head and a second end to be received within said first aperture, wherein said first connection member head includes a portion that is flared away from said body, and wherein said head is detachable from said body when at least a portion of said first buttress material is detached from said staple cartridge.