Cover device for a surgical site, cartridge for a surgical stapler, and related surgical methods

A method for performing a surgical procedure, comprising:

• preparing a surgical stapler comprising a cartridge for the surgical procedure, wherein the cartridge comprises:
• an anvil leg comprising an inwardly facing surface;
• a staple leg pivotally connected to the anvil leg comprising a plurality of staples positioned in an interior of the staple leg and an inwardly facing surface configured to move towards the inwardly facing surface of the anvil leg, the inwardly facing surface comprising a plurality of openings positioned for the plurality of staples to pass through the plurality of openings, and
• a cover device comprising at least one sleeve comprising at least two layers with an inner-most layer of the at least two layers that is configured to contact wetted patient tissue comprising dried and chorion-free amnion attached to the inwardly facing surface of at least one of the anvil leg or the staple leg, the at least one sleeve comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a curved surface extending therebetween;
• positioning patient tissue of a surgical site between the anvil leg and the staple leg of the cartridge;
• tightening the cartridge causing the staple leg to move toward the anvil leg and causing at least a portion of the curved surface of the at least one sleeve to press against the patient tissue, such that the at least one sleeve adheres and/or remains connected to the wetted patient tissue;
• and
• activating the surgical stapler causing the plurality of staples to pass from the staple leg through the patient tissue and the at least one sleeve, thereby causing the at least one sleeve to separate from the inwardly facing surface of at least one of the anvil leg or the staple leg due to forces exerted on the at least one sleeve by the plurality of staples and forming at least one staple line in the patient tissue that secures the at least one sleeve to the patient tissue.