Apparatus and method for performing a bypass procedure in a digestive system

1. An anvil adapter for facilitating connection of a detachable anvil rod to a circular anastomosis instrument, comprising an anvil adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, the first end configured for releasable attachment to a circular anastomosis instrument, the second end having an interior surface portion defining a longitudinal bore for releasably engaging an end of an anvil rod, the interior surface portion of the second end being dimensioned to releasably engage the end of the anvil rod in locking arrangement therewith to connect the second end of the anvil adapter to the anvil rod such that the detachable anvil rod is releasably connected in spaced relation to the circular anastomosis instrument.

2. The anvil adapter according to claim 1 wherein the second end of the anvil adapter member includes circumferentially arranged internal grooves dimensioned to receive external splines of the anvil rod to rotationally fix the anvil rod with respect to the anvil adapter.

3. The anvil adapter according to claim 1 wherein the interior surface portion of the second end has a predetermined degree of resiliency to thereby permit insertion of an enlarged mounting portion of the anvil rod within the longitudinal bore.

4. The anvil adapter according to claim 3 wherein the interior surface portion of the second end defines an abutment wall surface dimensioned to engage the enlarged mounting portion of the anvil rod.

5. The anvil adapter according to claim 1 wherein the first end of the anvil adapter has a tapered portion.

6. The anvil adapter according to claim 5 wherein the tapered portion includes a transverse opening.

7. The anvil adapter according to claim 1 wherein the longitudinal bore receives a first end portion of the anvil rod and opposite the end portion having an anvil head.

8. The anvil adapter according to claim 1 wherein the adapter includes wall portions movable radially outwardly by engagement of the anvil rod.

9. The anvil adapter according to claim 8 wherein the wall portions are biased to the closed position.

10. An anvil adapter for facilitating connection of a detachable anvil rod to a circular anastomosis instrument, comprising an anvil adapter member defining a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends, the first end configured for attachment to a circular anastomosis instrument, the second end having a pair of jaws mounted for relative movement between an open position to receive the anvil rod and a closed position to engage the anvil rod in locking arrangement therewith to connect the anvil adapter to the anvil rod.

11. The anvil adapter according to claim 10 wherein the pair of jaws are pivotally mounted about a pivot pin.

12. The anvil adapter according to claim 11 wherein the pair of jaws are normally biased to the closed position.

13. The anvil adapter according to claim 12 including an ejector mechanism for at least partially ejecting the anvil rod from the anvil adapter member upon movement of the pair of jaws to the open position thereof.

14. The anvil adapter according to claim 13 wherein the ejector mechanism includes spring means operatively engageable with the anvil rod upon mounting of the anvil rod to the anvil adapter member.

15. The anvil adapter according to claim 14 wherein the ejector mechanism includes an ejector plate engageable with the spring means and the anvil rod.

16. The anvil adapter according to claim 10 , wherein the anvil adapter is configured to connect to the circular anastomosis instrument to the anvil rod in spaced relation.