Patent ID: 8177798

Claim:
An insertion instrument for positioning a stent at an anastomotic site in the intestine of a patient, comprising: an annular surgical stapling device, having an anvil member and a tubular member, the anvil member having a cap and a shaft, the tubular member terminating in a head portion carrying a plurality of surgical staples individually disposed in a plurality of staple pockets arranged in an annular configuration, the anvil member shaft being connectable to the tubular member radially inwardly of the surgical staples, the head portion having a recess therein; an inner ring of staple pockets disposed radially inwardly of the recess; and a stent disposed in the recess of the head portion, radially inwardly of, and separate from, the surgical staples, wherein the stent includes an outer coating that is configured for non-mechanical fixation to the intestine of the patient.