Circular stapler and staple line reinforcment material

Abstract

A surgical stapling instrument includes a staple cartridge assembly having a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots and an anvil assembly having a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses. The staple cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly, or both have one or more attachment members overmolded thereon. A staple line reinforcement material is attached to the attachment members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:
 an anvil assembly having an anvil member including a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of rows of staple forming recesses therein;   a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue contacting surface defining a plurality of rows of staple receiving slots therein;   at least one attachment member attached to the tissue contacting surface of at least one of the staple cartridge assembly or the anvil assembly; and   a staple line reinforcement material attached to the at least one attachment member.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the staple line reinforcement material is releasably attached to the at least one attachment member. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the staple line reinforcement material defines at least one perforation therein that is disposed adjacent to the at least one attachment member. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein each row of the plurality of rows of staple receiving slots of the staple cartridge assembly is circular. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein each row of the plurality of rows of staple forming recesses of the anvil assembly is circular. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one attachment member is attached to the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly at a location radially outward of the plurality of rows of staple receiving slots. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one attachment member is attached to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil assembly at a location radially outward of the plurality of rows of staple forming recesses. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment member is disposed between adjacent staple forming recesses of the anvil member. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment member is flush with the tissue contacting surface of the anvil member. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one attachment member is formed from a polymeric material. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical stapling instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the anvil member is metal and the at least one attachment member is plastic.