Collapsible anvil assembly and applicator instrument

An installation system for laparoscopic insertion of an anvil assembly within a patient comprising:

• an anvil assembly having a shaft member with mounting means at a proximal end thereof and an anvil member at a distal end thereof;
• a snap cap axially slidable along said shaft member for securing a tissue section against a proximal end of said anvil member;
• and,
• an installation tool member having a proximal end and a distal end, said installation tool member including means at said distal end for engaging said mounting means of said anvil assembly, said installation tool further having a first actuation member for advancing said snap cap against said proximal end of said anvil member.

An installation system for laparoscopic insertion of an anvil assembly in a patient, said installation system comprising:

• a) an installation tool having a frame member;
• b) an anvil assembly having mounting means at a proximal end of a shaft member of the anvil assembly for releasably holding said anvil assembly within said frame member;
• c) release means associated with a proximal end of said frame member for remotely releasing said mounting means;
• d) an axial bore within said shaft member;
• and
• e) a plurality of suction orifices extending transversely through said shaft member and communicable with said axial bore.

An installation system for laparoscopic insertion of an anvil assembly within a patient comprising:

• a) an anvil assembly having mounting means;
• and
• b) an installation tool member having a proximal end and a distal end, said installation tool member including means at said distal end for engaging said mounting means of said anvil assembly, and
• c) a circular stapler assembly including:
• i) a frame member having means for mounting said anvil assembly;
• ii) a staple carrying part containing staples at a distal end of said frame member;
• and
• iii) means for driving said staples from said staple carrying part towards said anvil assembly.