Patent ID: 6817508
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical stapling device comprising:a body having a stationary handle portion; a trigger pivotably fastened to the body; a head portion including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other from a spaced position to an approximated position; an approximation mechanism operatively connected to the head portion, the approximation mechanism being actuable to move the anvil and cartridge assemblies in relation to each other between the spaced and approximated positions; and an alignment pin assembly including an alignment pin having a tip, the alignment pin assembly being actuable to advance the alignment pin from a retracted position to an advanced position in which the alignment pin tip engages the anvil assembly; wherein the alignment pin assembly is releasably coupled to the approximation mechanism such that the alignment pin assembly can be manually actuated, at a location remote from the head portion, independently of the approximation mechanism or automatically actuated in response to actuation of the approximation mechanism.