Trans-oral circular anvil introduction system with dilation feature

An apparatus for stapling tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) an anvil, wherein the anvil comprises:
• (i) a top surface,
• (ii) a lower surface, and
• (iii) a plurality of staple pockets, wherein the plurality of staple pockets are formed on the lower surface of the anvil;
• wherein the anvil is configured to be inserted through a bodily lumen;
• and
• (b) an anvil grasping feature secured to the anvil, wherein the anvil grasping feature extends outwardly from the top surface of the anvil, wherein the grasping feature is operable to be grasped to pull the anvil through the bodily lumen such that the top surface leads as the anvil is pulled through the bodily lumen.

A method for introducing an apparatus for stapling tissue into tissue, the apparatus comprising an anvil and an anvil introduction system coupled with the anvil, wherein the anvil introduction system comprises a dilation feature, the method comprising:

• (a) coupling the anvil introduction system to the anvil;
• (b) expanding the dilation feature of the anvil introduction system to an expanded position;
• and
• (c) pulling the anvil through tissue to a desired position with the dilation feature in the expanded position.