AU2013206199A1 - Center cinch and release of buttress material - Google Patents

Abstract

CENTER CINCH AND RELEASE OF BUTTRESS MATERIAL An anvil assembly (10) is provided. The anvil assembly (10) comprising: an anvil member (26); a length of suture material (32); a strip of buttress material (30) secured to the anvil member (26) with the suture material (32); a track (50) movably mounted to the anvil member (26) and engageable with the length of suture (32), the track (50) movable between a first position tensioning the length of suture (32) and a second position releasing tension on the length of suture (32); and a release member (62) movably mounted to the anvil member (26) and movable relative to the track (50) to move the cinch track (50) to the second position.

Description

CENTER CINCH AND RELEASE OF BUTTRESS MATERIAL BACKGROUND 1. Technical field The present disclosure relates to an anvil assembly incorporating a strip of buttress material for use with a surgical stapling instrument. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a buttress release mechanism for release of the buttress material from the surgical stapling instrument after stapling. 2. Background Of Related Art During various surgical procedures it is often necessary to join two sides of tissue. This is typically accomplished by approximating two edges of the tissues flush against one another and securing them by stapling, suturing, etc. In some instances, the staple or suture line connecting the tissues may tear or tend to pull through the tissues, particularly, where the tissues are diseased and relatively weak. Additionally, during healing, leakage may occur through the staple or suture lines. In order to alleviate these problems, a strip of material, called "buttress material" is positioned against the tissues prior to stapling or suturing. The buttress material tends to reinforce the staple or suture line as well as tend to prevent leakage prior to healing. The buttress material may be attached to the surgical instrument being used. For example, the buttress material is often pre-attached to a staple cartridge or anvil assembly of a surgical stapling instrument. The attachment of the buttress material needs be sufficiently secure to allow the surgical instrument to be inserted into the body of a patient as well as allowing the staple cartridge and anvil to be positioned about specific tissues to be stapled. - 1 - 2 Furthermore, after stapling of the tissues, the buttress material needs to be attached in a manner which allows easy separation of the buttress material from the associated staple cartridge and/or anvil. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cartridge or anvil assembly which is capable of easily releasing the buttress material after tissues have been stapled. Object It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative. Summary There is disclosed herein an anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member; a length of suture material; a strip of buttress material secured to the anvil member with the suture material; a track movably mounted to the anvil member and engageable with the length of suture, the track movable between a first position tensioning the length of suture and a second position releasing tension on the length of suture; and a release member movably mounted to the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the cinch track to the second position. There is also disclosed herein a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: an anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member having a first side and a second side; a length of suture material passing from the first side of the anvil member to the second side of the anvil member; a track movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and engageable with the length of suture, the track movable between a first vertical position tensioning the length of suture and a second vertical position releasing tension on the length of suture; and a release member movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the track to the second vertical position. There is further disclosed herein a surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: a knife assembly including a knife blade; and an anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member including a knife slot, wherein the knife blade is distally movable through the knife slot; a proximal suture and a distal suture, each suture having a first side, a second side, and a backspan extending between the first and second sides; a strip of buttress material having a distal end and a proximal end, the strip of buttress material being secured to the anvil member by the distal suture and the proximal suture, wherein the distal suture secures the distal end of the strip of buttress material 2a and the proximal suture secures the proximal end of the strip of buttress material, and wherein the backspan of the proximal suture extends across the knife slot such that the knife blade cuts the proximal end of the strip of buttress material and severs the backspan of the proximal suture as the knife blade moves distally through the knife slot; a track movably mounted to the anvil member and engageable with the distal suture, the track movable between a first position tensioning the distal suture and a second position releasing tension on distal suture; and a release member movably mounted to the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the track to the second position. In at least a preferred embodiment, there is provided a buttressed anvil assembly for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The buttressed anvil assembly generally includes an anvil having a strip of buttress material positioned adjacent a bottom side of the anvil. Distal and proximal sutures secure the buttress material to the anvil. A tensioning mechanism is provided at a distal end of the anvil assembly. The tensioning mechanism includes a cinch track engageable with the distal suture to hold a distal end of the strip of buttress material against the anvil. The cinch track is movable between a first vertical position tensioning the distal suture against the strip of the buttress material to a second vertical position releasing tension on the distal suture to allow release of the strip of buttress material from the anvil. A release member is provided in the anvil to move the cinch track between the first vertical position and the second vertical position. The release member includes a wedge engageable within a slot formed in the cinch track. A wedge is movable between a first horizontal position maintaining the cinch track in the first vertical position and a second horizontal position allowing the cinch track to move to the second vertical position. A proximal suture may also be provided to secure a proximal end of the strip of buttress material to a proximal end of the anvil. Specifically, in a particular embodiment, the anvil assembly generally includes an anvil member having a first side and a second side and a length of suture material passing from the first side of the anvil member to the second side of the anvil member. A cinch track is movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and is engageable with the length of suture. The cinch track is movable between a first vertical position tensioning the length of suture and a second vertical position releasing tension on the length of suture. A release member is movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and is movable relative to the cinch track between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position. The release member maintains the cinch track in the first vertical position when the release member is in the first horizontal position and allows the cinch track to move to the second vertical position when the release member is in the second horizontal position. The anvil assembly additionally includes a strip of buttress material positioned adjacent the second side of the anvil member.The length of suture includes a backspan and first and second suture sides extending from the backspan. The backspan is engageable with the strip of buttress material to maintain the strip of buttress material adjacent the second side of the anvil member when the cinch track is in the first vertical position. The anvil member includes first and second holes extending between the first and second sides of the anvil member. The first side of the length of suture material extends through the first hole and the second side of the suture material extends through the second hole. The cinch track includes a first track and the first suture side is secured in the first track. The cinch track also includes a second track and the second suture side is secured in the second track. The release member includes a wedge and the cinch track includes a slot such that the cinch track is in the first vertical position when the wedge is positioned within the slot and is in the second vertical position when the wedge is out of the slot. The anvil member includes a longitudinally extending slot and the release member includes a guide rib movable within the longitudinally extending slot. -3- The strip of buttress material includes a perforation line adjacent a distal end of the buttress material to allow separation of the buttress material distally of the anvil slot. The strip of buttress material includes first and second cutouts to accommodate passage of the first and second sides of the length of suture material. The anvil assembly additionally includes a proximal length of suture material for securing a proximal end of the strip of buttress material to the anvil member. The proximal length of suture material includes a backspan and first and second sides extending from the backspan. The backspan secures a proximal end of the strip of buttress material to the second side of the anvil member. The anvil member includes a pair of slots adjacent the proximal end of the anvil member. The pair of slots is dimensioned to frictionally secure the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material. The strip of buttress material includes first and second cutouts formed adjacent the proximal end of the strip of buttress material for passage of the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material. The anvil assembly further includes a cover affixed to the anvil member. The cover including a distal window providing visualization of the cinch track and a pair of proximal windows providing visualization of the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material secured within the first and second slots formed in the anvil member. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the presently disclosed buttressed anvil assembly is disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surgical stapling instrument incorporating a buttressed anvil assembly; FIG. 2 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the buttressed anvil assembly incorporating a strip of buttress material; -4- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cinch track and release bar of the buttressed anvil assembly; FIG. 3a is a side view, partially shown in section, taken along the line 3a-3a of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the distal end of the buttressed anvil assembly taken from the top; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the distal end of the buttressed anvil assembly taken from the bottom; FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 with an anvil cover removed; FIG. 7 is a side view of the distal end of the buttressed anvil assembly with the anvil cover removed; FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 7 during the initial advancement of a knife bar toward the release bar; FIG. 9 is a side view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the engagement of the knife bar with the release bar; and FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 8 illustrating the knife bar advancing the release bar through the cinch track to release tension on the strip of buttress material. -5- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the presently disclosed buttressed anvil assembly will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As is common in the art, the term 'proximal" refers to that part or component closer to the user or operator, i.e. surgeon or physician, while the term "distal" refers to that part or component further away from the user. Referring to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a buttressed anvil assembly or anvil assembly 10 for use with a surgical stapling instrument 12. As used herein, "buttress" includes pledgets, staple line reinforcement material, gaskets, and other materials used in conjunction with surgical instruments for joining tissue. Surgical stapling instrument 12 is a type well known in the art and is embodied in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,762,256; 5,782,396; and 6,032,849, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Surgical stapling instrument 12 generally includes a pistol grip body portion 14 having an elongate tubular member 16 extending distally from body portion 14. A staple cartridge 18 is mounted on a distal end 20 of elongate tubular member 16. Anvil assembly 10 is movably mounted on a distal end 20 of elongate tubular member 16 and is movable between an open position spaced apart from staple cartridge 18 to a closed position wherein anvil assembly 10 is in close cooperative alignment with staple cartridge 18. In order to move anvil assembly 10 between the open and closed positions, surgical stapling instrument 12 includes a trigger 22 pivotally mounted to body portion 14. Trigger 22 controls the linear movement of an actuation shaft (not shown) which is mounted within the elongated tubular member 16. The actuation shaft operates to move a drive beam (not shown) distally to initially move the anvil assembly 10 between the open and closed positions. The drive beam also acts to move an actuation sled (not shown) distally through the staple cartridge 18 to eject staples. The drive beam includes a knife blade to cut tissue as the drive beam -6translates through the staple cartridge 18. A rotation knob 24 is provided to orient anvil assembly 10 and staple cartridge 18 relative to the tissue being stapled. Although surgical stapling instrument 12 is shown with a single trigger 22 which accomplishes both jaw closure and firing of staples, it is further contemplated that the present buttress release mechanism can also be used with surgical stapling instruments of the type which utilize a clamping mechanism to close the jaws which is separate from the firing mechanism. See, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,476,206, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Referring now to FIG. 2, anvil assembly 10 generally includes an anvil member 26, having a knife slot 28 extending longitudinally partially through anvil member 26, and a length or strip of buttress material 30. Strip of buttress material 30 is secured to anvil member 26 by a first or distal suture 32 and a second or proximal suture 34. Distal and proximal sutures 32 and 34 secure respective distal and proximal ends 36 and 38 of buttress material 30 to anvil member 26 in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow. Buttress material 30 further includes a pair of distal cutouts 40 and 42 formed adjacent distal end 36 of buttress material 30. Distal cutouts 40 and 42 are provided to accommodate passage of distal suture 32 to secure buttress material 30 to anvil member 26 and prevent any distal movement of buttress material 30 relative to anvil member 26. Similarly, a pair of proximal cutouts 44 and 46 is formed adjacent proximal end 38 of buttress material 30. Proximal cutouts 44 and 46 are provided to receive proximal suture 34 to secure proximal end 38 of buttress material 30 to anvil member 26 and prevent any longitudinal motion of buttress material 30. It should be noted that, during stapling and cutting of tissue, distal end 36 of buttress material 30 is distal of knife slot 28 and thus is not cut. A perforation line 48 may be formed in distal end 36 to facilitate separation of buttress material 30 into two halves after tissue has been stapled and cut. -7- In order to maintain tension of distal suture 32 against buttress material 30 prior to the cutting of tissue and to allow for the release of tension of distal suture 32 against buttress material 30, anvil assembly 10 further includes a cinch track 50 which is positioned within a distal end 52 of anvil member 26. Cinch track 50 is movable between a first vertical position tensioning distal suture 32 against buttress material 30 and a second vertical position releasing tension of distal suture 32 against buttress material 30. Cinch track 50 is provided to securely engage first and second sides 54 and 56 of first suture 32. The suture can be preformed in a shape defining the first side 54, second side 56, and backspan 58, or can comprise an ordinary suture that is wrapped around the anvil so as to defining the first side 54, second side 56, and backspan 58. The backspan 58 of first suture 32 lies against the distal end 36 of buttress material 30 against anvil member 26. In order to move cinch track 50 between the first and second vertical positions, a release member 60 is provided and is longitudinally or horizontally movable within anvil member 26 in a manner described in more detail hereinbelow. The release member 60 may be formed as a bar, rod, cable or other member. As shown, knife slot 28 has a proximal end 62 which is open at proximal end 64 of anvil member 26. A distal end 66 of knife slot 28 terminates proximally of distal end 52 of anvil member 26. As noted herein above, buttress material 30 includes a perforation line 48 to facilitate separation of distal end 36 of buttress material 30 as it is located distally of distal end 66 of knife slot 28. In order to secure a proximal end 38 of buttress material 30 against anvil member 26, anvil member 26 is provided with a pair of slots 68 and 70 which are configured to securely receive first and second sides 72 and 74 of proximal suture 34. The proximal suture can be preformed in a shape or comprise an ordinary suture wrapped around the anvil member so as to define first side 72, second side 74 and backspan 76. The backspan 76 of proximal suture 34 -8engages proximal end 38 of buttress material 30 to secure proximal end 38 against anvil member 26. Anvil assembly 10 additionally includes an anvil cover 78 having a distal cinch window 80 formed in a distal end 82 of anvil cover 78. Distal cinch window 80 is provided to allow the surgeon to visually confirm the engagement of distal suture 32 with cinch track 50. A pair of proximal cinch windows 84 and 86 are provided adjacent proximal end 88 of anvil cover 78 and serve to allow the surgeon to visually confirm the engagement of proximal suture 34, specifically the engagement of first and second sides 72 and 74, with slots 68 and 70 formed in proximal end 64 of anvil member 26. Anvil cover 78 includes longitudinally extending side cuts 90 and 92 which are configured to engage side walls 94 and 96, formed in anvil member 26, in friction fit fashion to secure anvil cover 78 to anvil member 26. Alternatively, the anvil cover may be attached using welding, adhesives or other means. Mounting structure 98 is provided on proximal end 88 to facilitate attachment of anvil assembly 10 to distal end 20 of elongate tubular member 16 (FIG. 1). The cinch track generally includes a body portion defining one or more tracks. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 3a, cinch track 50 has a body portion 100 with first and second tracks 102 and 104. First and second tracks 102 and 104 are dimensioned to pinch or cinch first and second sides 54 and 56, respectively, of suture 32 to secure suture 32 to cinch track 50. Body portion 100 additionally includes a center slot 106 for receipt of release member 60 in a matter discussed in more detail hereinbelow. As noted herein above, cinch track 50 is positioned within distal end 52 of anvil member 26 and is movable between first and second vertical positions relative to anvil member 26. As specifically shown in FIG. 3, a pair of distal arms 108 and 110 extend distally from body portion 100 while proximal tabs 112 and 114 extend proximally from body portion 100. Distal arms 108 and 110 are positioned against a proximal face 116 formed in distal end 52 of anvil member 26 -9- (FIG. 2). Likewise, proximal tab 112 and proximal tab 114 are configured to loosely engage distal ends 118 and 120 of side walls 94 and 96 formed in anvil member 26 allowing cinch track 50 to move vertically within distal end 52 of anvil member 26 (FIG. 2). Referring back for the moment to FIG. 2, as noted herein above, release member 60 is provided to move cinch track 50 between the first and second vertical positions. Release member 60 includes a distal wedge 122 which is configured to ride within center slot 106 of cinch track 50 to move cinch track 50 between the first and second vertical positions. A sloped face 124 extends proximally from distal wedge 122. Sides 126 and 128 of distal wedge 122 facilitate guiding distal wedge 122 against cinch track 50. In the embodiment of FIG. 3a, the bottom surface of the cinch track 50 is generally horizontal. However, in other embodiments, one or more surfaces can be shaped to cooperate with the sloped face 124, such as a cam surface, and may correspond to the shape of the sloped face 124. Referring now to FIG. 3, release member 60 further includes a guide bar 130 extending proximally from distal wedge 122. Guide bar 130 includes a central portion 132 and a proximally extending flanged portion 134. Flanged portion 134 helps align release bar 60 within side walls 94 and 96 of anvil member 26. As shown, a guide rib 136 extends downwardly from guide bar 130 and is configured to ride within knife slot 28 such that release member 60 is movable in a longitudinal or horizontal direction relative to cinch track 50. With specific reference to FIG. 3a, it can be seen that wedge 122 of release member 60 is configured to move body portion 100 of cinch track 50 vertically. Sloped face 124 of release member 60 facilitates assembly of anvil assembly 10, and specifically, allows for reset of release member 60 to pre-fire and assembly condition. A base stop 138 is provided on distal wedge 122 of release member 62 to prevent pulling wedge 122 completely through center slot 106 of cinch track 50 during assembly. Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, and initially with regard to FIG. 2, the assembly of a strip of buttress material 30 to anvil member 26 will now be described. Proximal end 38 of strip of -10buttress material 30 is secured to proximal end 64 of anvil member 26. Specifically, proximal end 38 is positioned against an underside 140 of anvil member 26. Proximal suture 34 is manipulated such that first and second free ends 142 and 144 of first and second sides 72 and 74 pass through cutouts 44 and 46 to bring backspan 76 of proximal suture 34 into engagement with proximal end 38 of strip of buttress material 30. Thereafter, first and second sides 72 and 74 are positioned within slots 68 and 70 in anvil member 26. During positioning, first and second side 72 and 74 are tensioned so as to secure proximal end 38 of strip of suture material 30 against underside 140 of anvil member 26. As noted herein above, slots 68 and 70 are dimensioned so as to pinch or cinch first and second sides 72 and 74. Once strip of suture material 30 has been secured, the excess material of first and second side 72 and 74 extending beyond slots 68 and 70 may be trimmed off through the cover. It should be noted that, since proximal end 38 of strip of suture material 30 stretches across knife slot 28, there is no need to release the tension on proximal suture 34 as it will be cut by a knife blade (not shown) during the stapling procedure. [[the knife blade will be described, as noted above]] With reference to FIGS. 2-7, the assembly of distal end 36 of strip of suture material 30 to anvil member 26 will now be described. Initially, with respect to FIGS. 3 and 3a, release member 60 is in a first or proximal most position. Cinch track 50 is in a first or vertically highest most position due to the passage and engagement of wedge 122 of release member 60 within slot 106 formed in body portion 100 of cinch track 50. With reference to FIG. 2, distal end 36 of strip of buttress material 30 is positioned flush against underside 140 of anvil member 26. Distal suture 32 is manipulated such that free ends 146 and 148 of first and second sides 54 and 56, respectively, passed through cutouts 40 and 42 formed in distal end 36 of strip of buttress material 30. As shown, distal end 52 of anvil member 26 is provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 150 and 152. Free ends 146 and 148 of distal suture 32 are passed through holes 150 and 152 such that first and second sides 54 - 11 and 56 are aligned alongside first and second tracks 102 and 104 of cinch track 50. Vertical tension is applied to free ends 146 and 148 to secure distal end 36 of strip a buttress material 30 against underside 140 of anvil member 26. First and second sides 54 and 56 are then manipulated such that first side 54 passes within second track 104 and second side 56 passes within first track 102 (see also FIGS. 6 and 7). As noted herein above, first and second tracks 102 and 104 are dimensioned so as to pinch or cinch a suture positioned therein. Thereafter, excess material of first and second sides 54 and 56 of distal suture 32 may be trimmed off. Finally, cover 78 is affixed to anvil member 26 in the manner described herein above. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the assembled condition, first and second sides 54 and 56 of distal suture 32 are visible through distal cinch window 80 in cover 78 for verification (FIG. 4). Likewise, backspan 58 of distal suture 32 can be confirmed as extending across perforation line 48 and strip of suture material 30 (FIG. 5). Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6-10, the use of anvil assembly 10 will now be described. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, and as described herein above, in the initial position release bar 60 is in a first or proximal most position maintaining cinch track 50 in a first or vertically highest position relative to anvil member 26 thereby maintaining tension of backspan 58 of distal suture 32 against distal end 36 of strip of buttress material 30. In use, with reference to FIG. 1, surgical stapling instrument 12 is manipulated such that anvil assembly 10 and staple cartridge 18 are positioned about the tissue (not shown) to be stapled. Once surgical stapling 12 has been properly positioned, trigger 22 is actuated to move anvil assembly 10 to the closed position about tissue relative to staple cartridge 18. While not specifically shown, anvil pockets are provided on anvil member 26 to clinch staples ejected out of staple cartridge 18 through the subject tissue and through strip of buttress material 30. Referring back for the moment to FIG. 2, and as noted herein above, backspan 76 of proximal suture 34 extends across knife slot 28. Referring now to FIG. 8, a knife bar 154 is - 12associated with surgical stapling instrument 12 to cut through staple lines formed in the tissue by staple cartridge 18 and anvil assembly 10. As knife bar 154 passes distally through knife slot 28 a blade 156 of knife bar 154 cuts through proximal end 38 of strip of buttress material 30 and severs backspan 76 a proximal suture 34. Continued advancement of knife bar 154 distally through slot 28, causes blade 156 to continue to cut through strip of buttress material 30. With continued reference to FIG. 8, as knife bar 154 advances distally through anvil member 26, a distal top edge 158 of knife bar 154 approaches a proximal edge 160 of release member 60. As best shown in FIG. 9, as distal edge 158 of knife bar 154 moves distally it engages proximal edge 160 of release member 60, knife bar 154 begins to drive release member 60 distally such that distal wedge 122 of release member 60 is driven distally through slot 106 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed in cinch track 50. With specific reference to FIG. 10, as release member 60 is driven to a second or distal most position by a knife bar 54, sloped face 124 of distal wedge 122 clears slot 106 allowing cinch track 50 to drop down to a second or vertically lowest most position relative to anvil member 26. As shown, when cinch track 50 is in the second or vertically lowest position, tension is released on distal suture 32 such that backspan 58 of distal suture 32 drops a substantial distance below underside 140 of anvil member 26. This creates an opening or gap 162 between backspan 58 of distal suture 32 and underside 140 of anvil member 26. Once knife bar 154 has reached a distal most position, pressure on trigger 22 may be released allowing anvil member 10 to move to the open position relative to staple cartridge 18 (FIG. 1). As anvil assembly 10 is moved to the open position, distal end 36 of strip of buttress material 30, being stapled the tissue, pulls free through gap 162 allowing distal end 36 to separate from anvil member 26. As noted herein above, and as shown in FIG. 2, perforation line 48 is formed in distal end 36 of strip of buttress material 30 allowing strip of buttress material 30 to separate into halves generally along the cut line formed by knife blade 156 through strip of buttress material 30. In this manner, anvil assembly 10 allows for simple and - 13- 14 easy assembly of a strip of buttress material 30 to with anvil member 26 and, more importantly, allows for easy release of distal end 36 of a strip of buttress material 30 from anvil member 26. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the release member could be arranged to be pulled proximally to change the position of the cinch track and release the suture and buttress. In other embodiments, the proximally pulled release member, or the release member 60 discussed above, may be connected to a separate actuator on the handle of the surgical instrument, for engagement by the user of the instrument. In another example, the disclosed cinch track may have more or fewer tracks to accommodate more or fewer wraps of a length of suture material. Further, the disclosed tensioning mechanisms, including the suture track and the release bar, may be adapted to be incorporated in a staple cartridge and to function with driving bars in the staple cartridge. Additionally, the disclosed methods and structure for releasing tension on a suture maintaining a strip of buttress may find use in other forms of surgical staplers such as, for example, circular staplers, etc. In further embodiments, a release member pushes cinch track down vertically to release the tension on the suture and release the buttress. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein.

14 easy assembly of a strip of buttress material 30 to with anvil member 26 and, more importantly, allows for easy release of distal end 36 of a strip of buttress material 30 from anvil member 26. It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the release member could be arranged to be pulled proximally to change the position of the cinch track and release the suture and buttress. In other embodiments, the proximally pulled release member, or the release member 60 discussed above, may be connected to a separate actuator on the handle of the surgical instrument, for engagement by the user of the instrument. In another example, the disclosed cinch track may have more or fewer tracks to accommodate more or fewer wraps of a length of suture material. Further, the disclosed tensioning mechanisms, including the suture track and the release bar, may be adapted to be incorporated in a staple cartridge and to function with driving bars in the staple cartridge. Additionally, the disclosed methods and structure for releasing tension on a suture maintaining a strip of buttress may find use in other forms of surgical staplers such as, for example, circular staplers, etc. In further embodiments, a release member pushes cinch track down vertically to release the tension on the suture and release the buttress. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the disclosure herein.

Claims (19)

1. An anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member; a length of suture material; a strip of buttress material secured to the anvil member with the suture material; a track movably mounted to the anvil member and engageable with the length of suture, the track movable between a first position tensioning the length of suture and a second position releasing tension on the length of suture; and a release member movably mounted to the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the cinch track to the second position.

2. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the length of suture includes a backspan and first and second suture sides extending from the backspan, the backspan engageable with the strip of buttress material to maintain the strip of buttress material adjacent the anvil member when the track is in the first position.

3. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the track includes a first track and the first suture side is secured in the first track.

4. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein the track includes a second track and a second suture side is secured in the second track.

5. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the release member includes a wedge and the track includes a slot such that when the track is in the first position the wedge is positioned within the slot, and when the wedge is out of the slot the track is in the second position.

6. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the anvil member includes a longitudinally extending slot and the release member includes a guide rib movable within the longitudinally extending slot. 16

7. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the anvil member includes first and second holes extending between sides of the anvil member, wherein the first side of the length of suture material extends through the first hole and the second side of the length of suture material extends through the second hole.

8. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the strip of buttress material includes a perforation line to facilitate separation of the strip of buttress material after firing the anvil assembly.

9. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the strip of buttress material includes first and second cutouts to accommodate passage of the first and second sides of the length of suture material.

10. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 2, further comprising a proximal length of suture material for securing a proximal end of the strip of buttress material to the anvil member.

11. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the proximal length of suture material includes a backspan and first and second sides extending from the backspan, the backspan securing the strip of buttress material to the anvil member.

12. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the anvil member includes a pair of slots adjacent a proximal end of the anvil member, the pair of slots being dimensioned to frictionally secure the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material.

13. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the strip of buttress material includes first and second cutouts formed adjacent the proximal end of the strip of buttress material for passage of the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material.

14. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 3, further comprising a cover affixed to the anvil member, the cover including a distal window providing visualization of the cinch track.

15. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 12, further comprising a cover affixed to the anvil member, the cover including a pair of proximal windows, the proximal windows providing visualization of the first and second sides of the proximal length of suture material secured within the first and second slots formed in the anvil member. 17

16. The anvil assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the release member moves between a first horizontal position and a second horizontal position, wherein the release member maintains the track in the first vertical position when the release member is in the first horizontal position and allows the track to move to the second vertical position when the release member is in the second horizontal position.

17. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: an anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member having a first side and a second side; a length of suture material passing from the first side of the anvil member to the second side of the anvil member; a track movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and engageable with the length of suture, the track movable between a first vertical position tensioning the length of suture and a second vertical position releasing tension on the length of suture; and a release member movably mounted on the first side of the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the track to the second vertical position.

18. The surgical stapling apparatus as recited in claim 17, further comprising a strip of buttress material positioned adjacent the anvil member.

19. A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising: a knife assembly including a knife blade; and an anvil assembly comprising: an anvil member including a knife slot, wherein the knife blade is distally movable through the knife slot; a proximal suture and a distal suture, each suture having a first side, a second side, and a backspan extending between the first and second sides; a strip of buttress material having a distal end and a proximal end, the strip of buttress material being secured to the anvil member by the distal suture and the proximal suture, wherein the distal suture secures the distal end of the strip of buttress material 18 and the proximal suture secures the proximal end of the strip of buttress material, and wherein the backspan of the proximal suture extends across the knife slot such that the knife blade cuts the proximal end of the strip of buttress material and severs the backspan of the proximal suture as the knife blade moves distally through the knife slot; a track movably mounted to the anvil member and engageable with the distal suture, the track movable between a first position tensioning the distal suture and a second position releasing tension on distal suture; and a release member movably mounted to the anvil member and movable relative to the track to move the track to the second position. Covidien LP Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON