Patent ID: 7377928

Claim:
An apparatus for use with a surgical stapler to provide a reinforced surgical staple line comprising: an applicator strip having a first end and a second end, and further having a first face and a second face; a first bioimplantable material having a first face adapted to attach to a first jaw of a surgical stapler and a second face in juxtaposed relation with the first face of the applicator strip; a second bioimplantable material having a first face adapted to attach to a second jaw of a surgical stapler and a second face in juxtaposed relation with the second face of the applicator strip; and a hinge connecting the first bioimplantable material to the second bioimplantable material, wherein the first face of the applicator strip is in contact with a substantial portion of the of the second face of the first bloimplantable material and the second face of the applicator strip is in contact with a substantial portion of the second face of the second bioimplantable material, wherein the second end of the applicator strip is disposed adjacent to the hinges, and wherein a biocompatible adhesive is disposed on the first face of the first bioimplantable material and the first face of the second bioimplantable material, the adhesive being adapted to removably secure the first face of the first bioimplantable material to the first jaw of the surgical stapler and the first face of the second bioimplantable material to the second jaw of the surgical stapler.