Methods and devices for performing a surgical anastomosis

Abstract

A circular stapler is disclosed. The circular stapler includes a handle assembly, an elongate body, a cartridge assembly, a trocar, and a light source. The elongate body extends from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The cartridge assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate body and includes a pusher assembly. The pusher assembly is movable to cause staples to be ejected from the cartridge assembly. The trocar is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the cartridge assembly and is longitudinally advanceable to puncture tissue. The light source is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the trocar, and is configured to project a light beam distally of the trocar.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A circular stapling unit, comprising:
 a cartridge assembly removably securable to a surgical system, the cartridge assembly including a pusher assembly movable to cause staples to be ejected from the cartridge assembly;   a trocar disposed in mechanical cooperation with the cartridge assembly and being longitudinally advanceable, a distal tip of the trocar being one of transparent and translucent; and a light source on the trocar to project a beam of light distally.   
     
     
         3 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 2 , wherein the light source includes a laser. 
     
     
         4 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 3 , wherein the laser is at least partially disposed within the trocar. 
     
     
         5 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 4 , wherein the cartridge assembly defines circular rows of staple receiving pockets. 
     
     
         6 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 2 , wherein the light source is at least partially disposed within the trocar. 
     
     
         7 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 5 , wherein there are three circular rows of staple receiving pockets. 
     
     
         8 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 2 , wherein the light source is configured to project a light beam in a concentrated area directly in the path of travel of the trocar. 
     
     
         9 . The circular stapling unit of  claim 2 , wherein the light source is configured to project a light beam that is approximately the size of a diameter of a portion of the trocar that is disposed distally of the cartridge assembly when the trocar is in a longitudinally advanced position. 
     
     
         10 . A method of performing a surgical procedure, comprising:
 inserting at least a portion of a circular stapler proximally of a first linear row of staples along a proximal portion of tissue;   projecting a light beam from the circular stapler onto the proximal portion of tissue; and advancing a trocar of the circular stapler through the proximal portion of tissue that includes the light beam.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising emplacing the first linear row of staples along a proximal portion of tissue prior to inserting at least a portion of the circular stapler proximally of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising emplacing a second linear row of staples along a distal portion of tissue prior to inserting at least a portion of the circular stapler proximally of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising inserting an anvil assembly of the circular stapler distally of the distal portion of tissue, approximating the anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly of the circular stapler, and joining the proximal portion of tissue with the distal portion of tissue using the circular stapler. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the light beam is projected from the circular stapler onto a portion of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the trocar is advanced through the portion of the first linear row of staples that includes the light beam. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the light beam is projected through a distal tip of the trocar.