Actuator for releasing a layer of material from a surgical end effector

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

• an anvil;
• a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fastener cavities;
• a plurality of fasteners, wherein each said fastener is removably positioned in one of said fastener cavities;
• a piece of buttress material releasably secured intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge;
• a connector, wherein said connector secures said piece of buttress material intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge at a location, and wherein the location is distal to at least one said fastener cavity;
• and
• an actuator configured to overcome said connector when actuated, wherein said actuator overcomes said connector prior to the removal of said fasteners from said fastener cavities, wherein said actuator surrounds at least a portion of said fastener cartridge.

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

• an anvil;
• a fastener cartridge comprising a fastener cavity;
• a fastener removably positioned in said fastener cavity;
• a piece of buttress material releasably secured intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge;
• a connector, wherein said connector secures said piece of buttress material to one of said anvil or said fastener cartridge, and wherein said connector is positioned distal to said fastener cavity;
• an actuator configured to overcome said connector when actuated, wherein said actuator extends past said fastener in said fastener cavity, wherein said actuator is actuated proximal to said fastener cavity, and wherein said actuator comprises a slot;
• and
• a firing element configured to lift said fastener toward said anvil, wherein said firing element is configured to translate along said slot.

An end effector assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising:

• an anvil;
• a fastener cartridge comprising a fastener cavity;
• a fastener removably positioned in said fastener cavity;
• a piece of buttress material releasably secured intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge;
• a connector, wherein said connector secures said piece of buttress material to one of said anvil or said fastener cartridge, and wherein said connector is positioned distal to said fastener cavity;
• and
• an actuator configured to overcome said connector when actuated, wherein said actuator extends past said fastener in said fastener cavity, wherein said actuator is actuated proximal to said fastener cavity, wherein said actuator comprises a distal cutting edge, and wherein said distal cutting edge cuts said connector when said actuator is actuated.

An end effector assembly, comprising:

• an anvil;
• a fastener cartridge comprising a fastener cavity;
• a fastener removably positioned in said fastener cavity;
• a piece of buttress material releasably secured intermediate said anvil and said fastener cartridge;
• a connector, wherein said connector secures said piece of buttress material to one of said anvil or said fastener cartridge, and wherein said connector is positioned distal to said fastener cavity;
• a firing element configured to lift said fastener toward said anvil during a firing stroke;
• an actuator configured to overcome said connector when actuated, wherein said firing element is configured to actuate said actuator proximal to said fastener cavity, and wherein said actuator is configured to translate distally when actuated by said firing element.