#$%^&*AU2012227358B220170504.pdf#####BUTTRESS RELEASE FROM SURGICAL STAPLER BY KNIFE PUSHING Abstract A surgical stapling apparatus (10) including a releasable buttress (24) material includes a cartridge assembly (32), an anvil assembly (20), a knife (80), and a buttress material. The cartridge assembly (32) includes a plurality of staples (50) and a tissue contacting surface (23) defining staple retaining slots. The anvil assembly (20) includes a tissue contacting surface (23) defining staple pockets (52) for forming staples (50) expelled from the staple retaining slots of the cartridge assembly (32). The knife (30) is disposed within a knife slot (25) formed in the tissue contacting surface (23) of the cartridge assembly (32). The buttress material includes at least one weld (40) joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface (23) of the cartridge assembly (32). The at least one weld (40) is positioned across the knife slot (25). (6733557_1):PRW1/9 C%.V) co coJ