Patent ID: 6083241
Filing Date: 2000-07-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for removing internal hemorrhoids from a patient using a circular stapling instrument, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing a circular stapling instrument having a stapling end effector including:i) a stapling head assembly having:a) a substantially hollow casing having an exterior casing surface,b) a substantially hollow staple driver received in said casing for movement therein between a prefired position and a fired position,c) an annular blade mounted within said staple driver at a distal end of said staple driver, said annular blade having an open end, andd) an elongated interior drive shaft reciprocable within said staple driver and said annular blade, andii) an anvil assembly having an anvil shaft attached to said elongated interior drive shaft, said anvil assembly movable in response to reciprocation of said interior drive shaft from an open position spaced from said casing to a closed position adjacent to said casing, and when said anvil assembly is in the open position, said interior drive shaft defines a first inner chamber between said staple driver and said shaft, and a second inner chamber between said annular blade and said shaft, said second inner chamber communicating with said first inner chamber and having an open distal end; wherein when said staple driver is in the prefired position, a substantially unobstructed passageway is provided, said passageway extending from said exterior casing surface of said casing through: i) said first inner chamber, ii) said second inner chamber (a), and iii) the open distal end of said second inner chamber;b) placing a suture into the internal hemorrhoids of the patient;c) inserting said stapling end effector into an anus of the patient with said anvil assembly in the open position;d) positioning said stapling end effector within the anus of the patient such that said suture and the internal hemorrhoids are located between said stapling head assembly and said anvil assembly;e) inserting a surgical instrument adapted to grasp said suture into said passageway so as to engage said surgical instrument with said suture;f) withdrawing said suture through said passageway and out of said casing of said stapling head assembly with said surgical instrument;g) pulling said suture so as to draw the internal hemorrhoids inwardly around said anvil shaft and said interior drive shaft and into said first and second inner chambers;h) moving said anvil assembly from the open position spaced from said stapling head assembly to the closed position adjacent to said stapling head assembly so as to clamp the internal hemorrhoids therebetween;i) firing said circular stapling instrument so as to staple and cut the internal hemorrhoids; andj) removing said circular stapling instrument from the patient so as to remove the internal hemorrhoids from the patient.