Methods of using shape memory alloys for buttress attachment

Abstract

A surgical stapling device includes a tissue contacting surface and a buttress attachment feature. The buttress attachment feature permits selectively securing a surgical buttress to the tissue contacting surface, which may be disposed on a cartridge assembly or an anvil plate of the surgical stapling device. The buttress attachment feature may include a shape memory alloy, such as a nickel titanium alloy, that is responsive to a temperature change to allow the buttress attachment feature to move between a first position where a free end of the buttress attachment feature is substantially spaced from the tissue contacting surface, and second position where the surgical attachment feature is approximated with respect to the tissue contacting surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.