Method of applying a buttress to a surgical stapler end effector

A buttress assembly configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, comprising:

• (a) a buttress body having:
• (i) a compressible layer configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof, and
• (ii) an attachment surface disposed over the compressible layer;
• and
• (b) an adhesive layer disposed over the attachment surface of the buttress body, wherein the adhesive layer includes a viscous adhesive, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to releasably adhere to a stapling surface of the end effector in response to closure of the end effector on the buttress assembly,
• wherein the buttress body is configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples with the clamped tissue,
• wherein the adhesive layer defines an exposed surface configured to contact the stapling surface of the end effector prior to piercing and capturing of the buttress body by the staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue.

A buttress assembly configured for use with an end effector of a surgical stapler, comprising:

• (a) a buttress body having:
• (i) a compressible layer configured to contact tissue clamped by the end effector during closure thereof, and
• (ii) an attachment surface disposed over the compressible layer;
• and
• (b) an adhesive layer disposed over the attachment surface of the buttress body, wherein the adhesive layer includes a viscous adhesive, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to releasably adhere to a stapling surface of the end effector in response to closure of the end effector on the buttress assembly,
• wherein the buttress body is configured to be pierced and captured by staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue and thereby reinforce the engagement between the ejected staples with the clamped tissue,
• wherein the adhesive layer is exposed such that the adhesive layer is configured to contact the stapling surface of the end effector prior to piercing and capturing of the buttress body by the staples ejected from the end effector into the clamped tissue.