Apparatus for creating partial anastomoses

Claim 2

A circular anastomosis fastening apparatus comprising: p1 an elongated housing; a staple cartridge mounted at a distal end of said elongated housing; and shroud means detachably mounted adjacent to said staple cartridge for shielding a predetermined portion of tissue from being engaged by said staple cartridge, wherein upon actuation of the circular anastomosis fastening device, a full circular anastomosis is prevented and a partial anastomosis is created.

Claim 3

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shroud means includes attaching means incorporated in said proximal end of said shroud means.

Claim 4

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shroud means further comprises a C-shaped portion incorporated in said distal end extending longitudinally away from an attaching means whereby upon drawing together of a purse string suture formed near an end of the tissue to be anastomosed, a predetermined portion of tissue is shielded from being engaged by said staple cartridge.

Claim 5

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shroud means includes an attaching means having a collar portion adapted for removably mounting said shroud means adjacent to said staple cartridge.

Claim 6

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said collar portion comprises a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said collar portion further comprising means disposed on said inner surface for engaging said elongated housing.

Claim 7

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said engaging means includes at least one compressible raised portion.

Claim 8

An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said engaging means includes at least one slot adapted for mating with at least one tab on said elongated housing.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said collar portion is substantially C-shaped having an open portion adapted for snapping said collar portion onto said elongated housing.

Claim 10

A surgical stapler apparatus comprising: a tubular housing having proximal and distal end portions; a staple cartridge mounted in said distal end portion of said housing adapted for expelling an annular array of staples therefrom; an anvil assembly connected to said distal end portion of said housing, said anvil assembly including an anvil and an anvil shaft, said anvil shaft received within said tubular housing, said anvil including at least one annular array of buckets configured to form said staples; means mounted on said housing for shielding a predetermined portion of tissue from entering between said staple cartridge and said at least one annular array of buckets on said anvil assembly wherein upon actuation of the surgical stapler apparatus, a full anastomosis is prevented and a partial anastomosis is created.

Claim 11

A surgical stapler apparatus comprising: a tubular housing having proximal and distal end portions; a staple cartridge mounted in said distal end portion of said housing adapted for expelling an annular array of staples therefrom; an anvil assembly connected to said distal end portion of said housing, said anvil assembly including an anvil and an anvil shaft, said anvil shaft received within said tubular housing, said anvil including at least one annular array of buckets configured to form said staples; means mounted on said housing for shielding a predetermined portion of tissue from entering between said staple cartridge and said at least one annular array of buckets on said anvil assembly wherein upon actuation of the surgical stapler apparatus, a full anastomosis is prevented and a partial anastomosis is created.

Claim 12

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said shielding means is detachably mounted on said housing.

Claim 13

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for retaining loose staples discharged from said staple cartridge.

Claim 14

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said staple retaining means includes at least one magnetized portion of said stapler apparatus.

Claim 15

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said staple retaining means includes said at least one annular array of buckets being magnetized.

Claim 16

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said tissue shielding means further comprises a shroud detachably mounted on said distal end of said tubular housing.

Claim 17

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said shroud further comprises: a collar portion adapted for detachably mounting said shroud adjacent to said distal end of said tubular housing; and a C-shaped portion extending longitudinally from said collar portion for shielding a predetermined portion of tissue from entering between said staple cartridge and said at least one annular array of buckets on said anvil assembly.

Claim 18

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said collar portion comprises a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, said collar portion further comprising means disposed on said inner surface for engaging said tubular housing.

Claim 19

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said engaging means includes at least one compressible raised portion.

Claim 20

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said engaging means includes at least one slot adapted for mating with at least one tab on said tubular housing.

Claim 21

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said collar portion is substantially C-shaped having an open portion adapted for snapping said collar portion onto said tubular housing.

Claim 22

A surgical stapler apparatus comprising: a tubular housing; a shaft extending from said tubular housing; a fastener cartridge for holding an array of fasteners; an anvil assembly adapted to be removably connected to said shaft, said anvil assembly having an array of staple forming depressions; means for moving one of said anvil assembly and said cartridge assembly from a first spaced apart position to a second position to grasp a tissue portion therebetween; and means for blocking penetration of tissue in a region between said cartridge and said anvil assembly wherein upon actuation of said surgical stapler apparatus, a full anastomosis is prevented and a partial anastomosis is created.

Claim 23

A surgical stapler apparatus comprising: a tubular housing; a shaft extending from said tubular housing; a fastener cartridge for holding an array of fasteners; an anvil assembly adapted to be removably connected to said shaft, said anvil assembly having an array of staple forming depressions; means for moving one of said anvil assembly and said cartridge assembly from a first spaced apart position to a second position to grasp a tissue portion therebetween; and means for blocking penetration of tissue in a region between said cartridge and said anvil assembly wherein upon actuation of said surgical stapler apparatus, a full anastomosis is prevented and a partial anastomosis is created.

Claim 24

An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said blocking means comprises a member mounted on said tubular housing.

Claim 25

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said member further comprises a shroud detachably mounted on a distal end of said tubular housing.

Claim 26

A surgical stapler apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said shroud further comprises a collar portion for detachably mounting said shroud on said distal end of said tubular housing and a C-shaped portion extending longitudinally from said collar portion for shielding a predetermined portion of tissue from entering between said staple cartridge and said array of staple forming depressions on said anvil assembly.