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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A circular stapler comprising:
 a handle assembly;   an elongate body extending from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis;   a cartridge assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate body, the cartridge assembly including a pusher assembly, the pusher assembly being 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 to puncture tissue; and   a light source disposed in mechanical cooperation with the trocar, the light source configured to project a light beam distally of the trocar.   
     
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of performing a surgical procedure, comprising:
 inserting 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.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further including emplacing the first linear row of staples along the proximal portion of tissue prior to inserting the portion of the circular stapler proximally of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further including emplacing a second linear row of staples along a distal portion of tissue prior to inserting the portion of the circular stapler proximally of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further including inserting a portion of 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. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the light beam is projected from the circular stapler onto a portion of the first linear row of staples. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the trocar is advanced through the portion of the first linear row of staples that includes the light beam. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein projecting the light beam from the circular stapler onto the proximal portion of tissue includes projecting the light beam through a distal tip of the trocar. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the distal tip of the trocar is at least one of translucent or transparent. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , further including ejecting fasteners from the circular stapler. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein ejecting fasteners from the circular stapler is performed after advancing the trocar of the circular stapler through the proximal portion of tissue that includes the light beam. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein advancing the trocar of the circular stapler through the proximal portion of tissue that includes the light beam occurs while the light beam remains projected on the proximal portion of tissue. 
     
     
         13 . A method of performing a surgical procedure, comprising:
 inserting a portion of a surgical instrument proximally of a first linear row of fasteners along a proximal portion of tissue;   projecting a light beam from within a trocar of the surgical instrument through a distal tip of the trocar onto the first linear row of fasteners;   advancing the distal tip of the trocar of the surgical instrument through the proximal portion of tissue that includes the light beam while the light beam is projected on the first linear row of fasteners; and   ejecting fasteners from the surgical instrument through the proximal portion of the tissue.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein a size of the light beam on the proximal portion of tissue is approximately the size of a diameter of a portion of the trocar. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further including emplacing the first linear row of fasteners along the proximal portion of tissue prior to inserting the portion of the surgical instrument proximally of the first linear row of fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further including emplacing a second linear row of fasteners along a distal portion of tissue prior to inserting the portion of the surgical instrument proximally of the first linear row of fasteners. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including inserting a portion of an anvil assembly of the surgical instrument distally of the distal portion of tissue, approximating the anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly of the surgical instrument, and joining the proximal portion of tissue with the distal portion of tissue using the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the distal tip of the trocar is at least one of translucent or transparent.