Circular anvil introduction system with alignment feature
View Patent ↗An apparatus is provided for stapling tissue. The apparatus includes an anvil and a trocar selectively coupled with the anvil. The anvil may have an inner opening and a plurality of staple pockets aligned around a surface of the anvil. The anvil may be inserted trans-orally through an esophagus prior to being coupled with the trocar. The trocar may include a shaft and a locking assembly. The locking assembly may secure the anvil in position relative to the trocar when the locking assembly is in the expanded position. The apparatus may also include an alignment assembly to align the staple pockets of the anvil relative to the apparatus. The apparatus may also include an introduction assembly to guide the anvil through the esophagus.
1. An apparatus for stapling tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) an annularly arranged array of staple pockets, wherein the staple pockets are positioned along a surface of the anvil, and
(ii) at least one alignment feature;
wherein the anvil is configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen; and
(b) a trocar defining an axis, wherein the trocar is configured to be selectively coupled with the anvil, wherein the trocar extends from a stapling head assembly, wherein the trocar comprises:
(i) a shaft, and
(ii) an alignment assembly configured to engage the at least one alignment feature of the anvil, wherein the alignment assembly is operable to rotationally align the anvil relative to the trocar such that the staple pockets of the anvil are positioned relative to staples within the stapling head assembly, wherein the at least one alignment feature of the anvil is configured to move helically about the axis in response to engaging the alignment assembly of the trocar.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the trocar comprises at least one tab extending from the shaft of the trocar, wherein the anvil comprises at least one recess, wherein the at least one tab is configured to engage the at least one recess.
3. An apparatus for stapling tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) an annularly arranged array of staple pockets, wherein the of staple pockets are positioned along a surface of the anvil, and
(ii) at least one alignment feature;
wherein the anvil is configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen; and
(b) a trocar defining an axis, wherein the trocar is configured to be selectively coupled with the anvil, wherein the trocar extends from a stapling head assembly, wherein the trocar comprises:
(i) a shaft, and
(ii) an alignment assembly fixed relative to the shaft, wherein the alignment assembly is configured to engage the at least one alignment feature of the anvil, wherein the alignment assembly is operable to align the anvil relative to the trocar such that the staple pockets of the anvil are positioned relative to staples within the stapling head assembly, wherein the alignment assembly defines a path, wherein a first portion of the path extends helically around the longitudinal axis, wherein a second portion of the path extends parallel to the longitudinal axis.
4. An apparatus for stapling tissue, the apparatus comprising:
(a) an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises:
(i) an annularly arranged array of staple pockets, wherein the of staple pockets are positioned along a surface of the anvil, and
(ii) at least one alignment feature;
wherein the anvil is configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen; and
(b) a trocar defining an axis selectively coupled with the anvil, wherein the trocar extends from a stapling head assembly, wherein the trocar comprises:
(i) a shaft, and
(ii) an alignment assembly configured to engage the at least one alignment feature of the anvil to rotate the anvil relative to the stapling head assembly, wherein the alignment assembly is operable to rotationally align the anvil relative to the trocar such that the staple pockets of the anvil are positioned relative to staples within the stapling head assembly, wherein the alignment assembly is configured to cam the at least one alignment feature about the axis in response to the at least one alignment feature engaging the alignment assembly.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the alignment assembly comprises at least one channel configured to receive the at least one alignment feature.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a camming surface, wherein the at least one alignment feature are is configured to cam against the camming surface in response to the at least one alignment feature engaging the alignment assembly.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the camming surface comprises a first portion that extends around the axis.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the camming surface comprises a second portion that extends parallel to the axis.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the at least one alignment feature is configured to cam against the first portion prior to camming against the second portion.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first and second portions are contiguous with one another.
11. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first portion comprises a helical surface.
12. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the second portion comprises a channel including parallel walls.
13. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first portion is wider than the second portion.
14. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least one channel comprises a first channel and a second channel, wherein the first and second channels are diametrically opposed.
15. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one alignment feature comprises a first feature and a second feature that are diametrically opposed.
16. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the at least one alignment feature comprises a plurality of projections, wherein the projections extend radially inwardly from the annularly arranged array of staple pockets.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the at least one alignment feature extend from an inner wall of the anvil, wherein the inner wall defines an opening for receiving the trocar.
18. The apparatus of claim 4 , the anvil alignment assembly comprises a plurality of tabs pivotally connected to the shaft, wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to pivot from an outward position to an inward position.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of tabs are resiliently biased toward the outward position.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the tabs are configured to resist axial movement of the anvil.