Anvil assembly delivery system

1. An anvil assembly comprising:

an anvil center rod; and

a head assembly pivotally secured to the anvil center rod about a pivot axis, the head assembly being movable between an operative position and a tilted position, the head assembly including a housing and cutting member supported within the housing, the housing including an inner surface defining first and second openings for receiving a suture therethrough, wherein the cutting member includes a knife engageable with the inner surface of the housing between the first and second openings to sever the suture.

2. The anvil assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface further includes a recess formed between the first and second openings.

3. The anvil assembly of claim 2 , wherein the recess is annular.

4. The anvil assembly of claim 3 , wherein the knife is annular.

5. The anvil assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cutting member is movable from a first position spaced from the inner surface of the housing to a second position in contact with the inner surface of the housing.

6. The anvil assembly of claim 5 , wherein the head assembly further includes a retainer member having an annular body portion and a frangible ring for maintaining the cutting member in the first position.

7. The anvil assembly of claim 6 , wherein separation of the frangible ring from the annular body portion permits movement of the cutting member from the first position to the second position.

8. The anvil assembly of claim 1 , further including a biasing member positioned to urge the head assembly relative to the anvil center rod to position the head assembly in the tilted position.

9. An anvil delivery system comprising:

an anvil assembly as recited in claim 1 ; and

a suture guide assembly including a guide suture secured to the head assembly.

10. The anvil delivery system of claim 9 , wherein the guide suture is received through the first opening in the housing and extend from the second opening in the housing.

11. The anvil delivery system of claim 9 , further including a tubular guide assembly for trans-oral insertion of the anvil assembly.

12. The anvil delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the tubular guide assembly includes a flexible tube and an adapter configured for operably connecting the flexible tube to the anvil center rod.

13. The anvil delivery system of claim 11 , wherein the tubular guide assembly further includes a retaining suture for retaining the head assembly of the anvil assembly in the tilted position.

14. The anvil delivery system of claim 13 , wherein the retaining suture is received through third and fourth openings in the housing and is secured between the adapter and the flexible tube.

15. A kit comprising:

an anvil assembly according to claim 1 ;

a suture guide assembly including a guide suture; and

a tubular guide assembly including a flexible tube and an adapter.

16. The anvil assembly of claim 1 , wherein the knife is disposed entirely within the housing.