The probe comprises a main outer shaft section (6) joined at the distal end to the probe head (1). Within the probe head is a spring (33) located around a central push-rod (58). The spring serves to put pressure on a guide tube (5) which is made so that when the push-rod moves through the guide tube it splays outwards. The push-rod is operated from its proximal end by a middle shaft (8) which in turn is moved forward by a threaded rotating rod and bush arrangement (7) which transfer rotational movement by the surgeons hand into linear movement of the internal shafts of the probe. An introducer cover is put over the head of the probe and the probe is inserted into the patient's anus and through the rectum. The introducer cover is then removed. An anastomose ring is placed around the end of the patient's intestine and the guide tube is fed through it. The surgeon turns the knob at the proximal end of the probe and the push-rod splays out the guide tube. The surgeon pulls downwards thus joining the intestine around the anastomose ring. The surgeon then reverses the direction of turn of the end handle and removes the probe.
