# US 2014/0191011 A1 · Tilt top anvil with torsion spring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0191011 A1 - Document ID: US20140191011A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/207,729 - Filed: 2014-03-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-18 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Justin Williams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191011A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - Y10T 29/49828: Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A tilt anvil assembly is disclosed which includes a center rod, a head assembly, and a torsion spring configured to pivot the head assembly relative to the center rod. The head assembly has a locking collar defining a locked position preventing pivotal movement of the head assembly, and an unlocked position allowing pivotal movement of the head assembly. The torsion spring selectively engages the locking collar to maintain the locking collar at either the locked or unlocked position. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 An anvil assembly comprising: a rod defining a longitudinal axis; a head assembly including a housing, a collar, and an anvil plate, the anvil plate being pivotable with respect to the rod; and a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the collar; wherein when the anvil plate is in a non-pivoted position, the collar is longitudinally movable from a first position where at least a portion of the collar is disposed proximally of a portion of the biasing element, to a second position where at least a portion of the collar is disposed distally of the portion of the biasing element. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein the collar has a locked position preventing pivotal movement of the anvil plate, and an unlocked position allowing pivotal movement of the anvil plate. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein the collar includes three tabs extending inwardly towards a central opening of the collar, wherein two of the three tabs are placed diametrically opposed to each other, and a third tab is placed equidistant from the other two tabs. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein the biasing element includes a coiled structure and at least one biasing member extending radially outwardly from the coiled structure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) An anvil assembly according to claim 24, wherein the at least one biasing member of the biasing element includes two biasing members, and wherein the two biasing members of the biasing element have a normal configuration in which the two biasing members define an acute angle therebetween. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An anvil assembly according to claim 25, wherein the biasing element comprises a resilient material such that the two biasing members have a tendency to return to their normal configuration when biased. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) An anvil assembly according to claim 24, wherein the at least one biasing member includes an arcuate middle member. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) An anvil assembly according to claim 27, wherein the arcuate middle member is configured to engage the collar to facilitate holding the collar at a locked position preventing pivotal movement of the anvil plate. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) An anvil assembly according to claim 27, wherein the arcuate middle member is configured to engage the collar to maintain the collar at an unlocked position preventing proximal movement of the collar and allowing pivotal movement of the anvil plate. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein the collar includes a tab to selectively engage the biasing element. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) An anvil assembly according to claim 30, wherein the tab includes a first inclined internal wall and a second inclined internal wall. ### Claim 32 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein a portion of the biasing element extends through an opening of the collar. ### Claim 33 (depends on 21) An anvil assembly according to claim 21, wherein the anvil plate is prevented from pivoting when the collar is in the first position, and wherein the anvil plate is capable of pivoting when the collar is in the second position. ### Claim 34 A method of using an anvil assembly, comprising: providing an anvil assembly including: a rod; an anvil head pivotably engaged with the rod; a collar disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rod; and a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the collar; and while the anvil head is in a non-pivoted position, moving the collar from a first position where at least a portion of the collar is disposed proximally of a portion of the biasing element and where the anvil head is prevented from pivoting, to a second position where at least a portion of the collar is disposed distally of the portion of the biasing element and where the anvil head is capable of pivoting. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, further comprising distally advancing a knife blade into the collar to move the collar to a distal position with respect to the rod. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The method of claim 35, further comprising maintaining the collar in the distal position while proximally moving the knife blade with respect to the collar. ### Claim 37 An anvil assembly comprising: a rod; a head assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the rod, the head assembly including a housing, a collar, and an anvil plate; and a biasing element disposed in mechanical cooperation with the collar, the biasing element including a coiled structure and at least one biasing member extending radially outwardly from the coiled structure. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) An anvil assembly according to claim 37, wherein the at least one biasing member of the biasing element includes two biasing members, and wherein the two biasing members have a normal configuration in which the two biasing members define an acute angle therebetween. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) An anvil assembly according to claim 38, wherein the biasing element comprises a resilient material such that the two biasing members have a tendency to return to their normal configuration when biased. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) An anvil assembly according to claim 37, wherein the at least one biasing member includes an arcuate middle member, and wherein the arcuate middle member is configured to engage the collar to maintain the collar in an unlocked position preventing proximal movement of the collar and allowing pivotal movement of the anvil plate.