Patent ID: 6540758
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An anvil for use with a stapler operative for stapling end portions of tubes to each other comprising a substantially tubular anvil sleeve having an exterior surface, said exterior surface including means against which staples are driven and closed, said tubular anvil sleeve including at least two sleeve portions, and means for pivotally connecting said sleeve portions for pivotal movement from a first closed tubular stapling position to a second open removal position by relative pivoting movement about a pivot axis substantially parallel to and radially outwardly offset from an axis defined by said sleeve in said closed position whereby subsequent to the performance of a stapling operation said anvil sleeve can be removed from exterior surrounding relationship to a stapled end portion of a tube by pivoting said sleeve portions about said pivotally connecting means from said first closed tubular stapling position to said second open position.