Method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector

A method of securing a buttress to an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member, the method comprising:

• (a) inserting a platform of a buttress applier cartridge between the lower and upper jaw members while the jaw members are in an open configuration such that the jaw members removably receive the platform therebetween, wherein the platform has a buttress disposed thereon during the act of inserting the platform between the jaw members, wherein the buttress applier cartridge includes a retainer, wherein the retainer is configured to engage the buttress to thereby retain the buttress on the platform during the act of inserting the platform between the jaw members;
• (b) driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members toward the platform to thereby engage the buttress with the end effector, wherein the buttress applier cartridge further comprises a resilient member that drives the retainer away from the buttress to thereby release the buttress from the platform in response to the act of driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members toward the platform;
• (c) driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members away from the platform to thereby pull the buttress off of the platform;
• and
• (d) removing the buttress applier cartridge from the end effector, wherein the buttress remains secured to the end effector after removing the buttress applier cartridge from the end effector.

A method of securing a buttress to an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member, the method comprising:

• (a) positioning a platform of a buttress applier cartridge between the upper and lower jaw members while the upper and lower jaw members are in an open configuration, wherein the platform has a buttress disposed thereon during the act of positioning the platform between the upper and lower jaw members, wherein the buttress applier cartridge has a retainer member retaining the buttress on the platform during the act of positioning the platform between the upper and lower jaw members;
• (b) driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members toward the platform to thereby engage the buttress with the end effector, wherein the buttress applier cartridge further comprises a resilient member that drives the retainer away from the buttress and thereby releases the buttress from the platform in response to the act of driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members toward the platform;
• (c) driving one or both of the upper or lower jaw members away from the platform to thereby pull the buttress off of the platform;
• and
• (d) actuating the end effector, wherein the act of actuating the end effector comprises driving a first plurality of staples from the end effector through at the buttress.