Patent ID: 8424535

Claim:
A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising: an elongated body portion having proximal and distal ends; and a head portion disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated body portion, the head portion comprising: a shell assembly defining a central aperture and including an annular tissue contacting surface with a plurality of slots formed therein through which a plurality of surgical fasteners are ejected during firing of the surgical apparatus, the plurality of slots arranged in an annular configuration, the tissue contacting surface having an opening formed therein spaced radially from the plurality of slots and spaced radially from the central aperture; and an anvil assembly movable in relation to the shell assembly, the anvil assembly including an annular tissue contacting surface, and a projection extending proximally therefrom, the projection in alignment with the opening formed in the tissue contacting surface of the shell assembly, the projection being configured and dimensioned for positioning within the opening formed in the tissue contacting surface of the shell assembly.