# US 11,026,688 B2 · Folded buttress for use with a surgical apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,688 B2 - Document ID: US11026688B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/436,981 - Filed: 2019-06-11 - Published: 2019-09-26 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-13 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Richard Stevenson; Paul Scirica - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026688B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An end effector for use with a surgical apparatus. The end effector comprising a staple cartridge having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot and an anvil plate having a tissue contacting surface defining a central longitudinal slot. A folded surgical buttress configured to overlie each of the tissue contacting surfaces of the staple cartridge and anvil plate and configured to retain the surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surfaces of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. The surgical buttress having a first longitudinal portion, a second longitudinal portion, and middle longitudinal portion between the first and second longitudinal portions, wherein the middle longitudinal portion is folded and configured to fit within the central longitudinal slot of each of the staple cartridge and anvil plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An end effector assembly comprising: a staple cartridge assembly including a tissue contacting surface; an anvil assembly including a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress having a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second longitudinal side portions, and proximal and distal end portions, the surgical buttress including first and second folded portions in opposed regions of the surgical buttress, the first and second folded portions disposed between the bottom surface of the surgical buttress and the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly, the surgical buttress including first and second pairs of opposed notches, each notch of the first and second pairs of opposed notches defined in the first or second folded portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein the first pair of opposed notches of the surgical buttress is defined in the proximal portion of the surgical buttress and the second pair of opposed notches is defined in the distal portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the proximal and distal portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The end effector assembly of claim 3, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a proximal edge of the proximal portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a distal edge of the distal portion positioned against the bottom surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The end effector assembly of claim 1, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the first and second longitudinal side portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The end effector assembly of claim 5, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a first longitudinal edge of the first longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a second longitudinal edge of the second longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface. ### Claim 7 A staple cartridge assembly comprising: a staple cartridge including a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress having a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second longitudinal side portions, and proximal and distal end portions, the surgical buttress including first and second folded portions in opposed regions of the surgical buttress, the first and second folded portions disposed between the bottom surface of the surgical buttress and the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge, the surgical buttress including first and second pairs of opposed notches, each notch of the first and second pairs of opposed notches defined in the first or second folded portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The staple cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the first pair of opposed notches of the surgical buttress is defined in the proximal portion of the surgical buttress and the second pair of opposed notches is defined in the distal portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The staple cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the proximal and distal portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The staple cartridge assembly of claim 9, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a proximal edge of the proximal portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a distal edge of the distal portion positioned against the bottom surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The staple cartridge assembly of claim 7, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the first and second longitudinal side portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The staple cartridge assembly of claim 11, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a first longitudinal edge of the first longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a second longitudinal edge of the second longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface. ### Claim 13 An anvil assembly comprising: an anvil plate including a tissue contacting surface; and a surgical buttress having a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second longitudinal side portions, and proximal and distal end portions, the surgical buttress including first and second folded portions in opposed regions of the surgical buttress, the first and second folded portions disposed between the bottom surface of the surgical buttress and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil plate, the surgical buttress including first and second pairs of opposed notches, each notch of the first and second pairs of opposed notches defined in the first or second folded portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The anvil assembly of claim 13, wherein the first pair of opposed notches of the surgical buttress is defined in the proximal portion of the surgical buttress and the second pair of opposed notches is defined in the distal portion of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The anvil assembly of claim 13, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the proximal and distal portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The anvil assembly of claim 15, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a proximal edge of the proximal portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a distal edge of the distal portion positioned against the bottom surface. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The anvil assembly of claim 13, wherein the opposed regions of the surgical buttress including the first and second folded portions are the first and second longitudinal side portions of the surgical buttress. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The anvil assembly of claim 17, wherein the first folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a first longitudinal edge of the first longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface, and the second folded portion of the surgical buttress includes a second longitudinal edge of the second longitudinal side portion positioned against the bottom surface.