Naturally derived bioabsorbable polymer gel adhesive for releasably attaching a staple buttress to a surgical stapler

A surgical stapler end effector, the end effector comprising:

• (a) a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge comprises:
• (i) a plurality of staples, and
• (ii) a deck, wherein the staple cartridge is operable to drive the staples through the deck;
• (b) an anvil, wherein the anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position, wherein the anvil includes an underside having staple forming surface configured to receive staples driven through the deck;
• (c) a buttress body;
• and
• (d) a retainer, wherein the retainer is configured to releasably hold the buttress body, wherein the retainer is configured to define a gap between the buttress body and the deck of the staple cartridge or the underside of the anvil, wherein the gap is configured to receive an adhesive material, wherein the retainer includes an injection port in fluid communication with the gap.

A surgical stapler end effector, the end effector comprising:

• (a) a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a deck;
• (b) an anvil, wherein the anvil is movable from an open position toward the staple cartridge to reach a closed position, wherein the anvil includes an underside;
• (c) a buttress assembly, wherein the buttress assembly comprises:
• (i) a buttress body, and
• (ii) an adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material is configured to removably secure the buttress body to the deck of the staple cartridge or the underside of the anvil;
• and
• (d) a retainer, wherein the retainer is configured to releasably hold the buttress body and wherein the retainer includes an injection port that is configured to receive a syringe needle to thereby permit injection of the adhesive.