| abstract |
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling apparatus includes a cartridge body, a plurality of staples disposed within the cartridge body, a tissue contacting surface on the cartridge body defining staple retaining slots dimensioned to releasably retain a staple, and a buttress material including at least one weld joining the buttress material to the tissue contacting surface of the cartridge body. The at least one weld is positioned to at least partially overlie a staple retaining slot. |