Patent ID: 6053390
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical stapling apparatus having an elongate shaft, a handle assembly connected to a proximal end of the elongate shaft, a fastener retainer connected to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the fastener retainer having a circular array of fasteners, and an anvil assembly detachably mountable to a distal end of the apparatus, the anvil assembly having an anvil rod having a proximal end portion having a longitudinal axis, a distal end portion and a substantially circular anvil head mounted to the distal end portion of the anvil rod, the improvement comprising:the anvil rod distal end portion being pivotally secured to the anvil rod proximal portion, wherein the anvil rod distal end portion is pivotable from a first position to a second position relative to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal axis of the anvil rod proximal end portion.