Surgical stapling device

Abstract

A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. A removable trocar for attachment to the anvil assembly is also disclosed which includes a rib positioned proximally of a mounting projection. The rib is positioned to align the mounting projection with associated engagement structure of the anvil assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A removable trocar comprising:
 a body having a proximal end and a distal end, a trocar tip formed at the distal end of the body, a cantilevered arm extending along a longitudinal axis of the body, the cantilevered arm including a distal end secured to the body and a proximal end having a protrusion formed thereon, the protrusion being dimensioned to be releasably received within an opening of an anvil center rod, and a rib extending proximally of the protrusion, the rib being dimensioned to slide between flexible arms of an anvil center rod to properly align the projection with the opening of the anvil center rod.   
     
     
         2 . A removable trocar according to  claim 1 , wherein the projection includes an angled proximal face. 
     
     
         3 . A removable trocar according to  claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered arm includes a distal tab, the distal tab being positioned to facilitate deflection of the cantilevered arm to disengage the projection from an anvil center rod. 
     
     
         4 . A removable trocar according to  claim 1 , further including at least one spline offset from the rib. 
     
     
         5 . A removable trocar according to  claim 1 , further including a throughbore formed through the body, the throughbore being dimensioned to receive a suture.