Anvil assemblies with collapsible frames for circular staplers

摘要

Circular stapling instruments and anvil assemblies. The anvil assemblies may have collapsible anvil support members that may be inserted through an opening in a patient and then expanded to be attached to an anvil plate assembly that has a staple-forming surface thereon. The anvil support member is attachable to the anvil plate assembly in such a way that when the anvil assembly is coupled to the stapling head of a circular stapler, the staple-forming surface is in substantial registry with the staples supported in the stapling head. A variety of different anvil support members and anvil plate assemblies are disclosed.

主权项

1. An anvil for a surgical stapling instrument, said anvil comprising:
an anvil plate assembly having a staple forming surface thereon; and an anvil support member configured to move between a radially collapsed position and a radially expanded position wherein, when said anvil support member is in said radially expanded position, said anvil support member is attachable to said anvil plate assembly, said anvil support member being couplable to an actuator portion of the surgical stapling instrument, and wherein said anvil support member comprises:
a shaft configured for operable engagement with an actuation member of a surgical stapling device; anda plurality of arms pivotally coupled to a distal end of said shaft and being movable between said radially collapsed position wherein said arms are substantially coextensive with said shaft and said radially expanded position wherein said arms protrude laterally outward from said shaft and wherein each said arm has an attachment end configured to retainingly engage said anvil plate assembly.