Patent ID: 8192460

Claim:
A system for joining a first body tissue and a second body tissue, the system comprising: a circular endoscopic stapling instrument having a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly for approximating and joining a first body tissue to a second body tissue, and an elongated shaft extending between the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly; and a reinforcing support structure supported on the shaft of the stapling instrument, the reinforcing support structure having a central hub for connection to the shaft of the stapling instrument and at least one annular reinforcing ring including a radial outer ring substantially coplanar with a radial inner ring, the at least one annular reinforcing ring supported on the central hub so that the at least one annular reinforcing ring is supported on the shaft at a location between the first body tissue and the second body tissue, wherein, after firing of the stapling instrument, the at least one annular reinforcing ring is interposed between and reinforces the joined first body tissue and the second body tissue.