Circular stapler introducer with rigid distal end portion

An introducer for introducing a surgical circular stapler having a handle portion, an elongated shaft protruding from the handle portion, and a stapling head coupled to a distal end of the elongated shaft into a patient, said introducer comprising:

• a hollow flexible sheath having a distal end and an open proximal end, said hollow flexible sheath being sized to receive the stapling head and the elongated shaft therein;
• a handle assembly attached to said open proximal end of said hollow flexible sheath and being configured to extend over a portion of the handle portion of the circular stapler when the circular stapler has been inserted into said hollow flexible sheath to a fully inserted position;
• a rigid cap assembly attached to said distal end of said hollow flexible sheath, said rigid cap assembly configured to selectively move between a closed position wherein a distal face of the stapling head is covered by a portion of said rigid cap assembly when the stapling head has been inserted to said fully inserted position and an open position wherein said rigid cap assembly may be proximally withdrawn from around the stapling head and elongated shaft;
• a latch member supported by said hollow flexible sheath in movable engagement with said rigid cap assembly, said latch member being selectively movable from a latched position wherein said rigid cap assembly is retained in said closed position and an unlatched position wherein a portion of said rigid cap assembly is movable to said open position;
• a suture attached to said latch member, said suture extending through a lumen in said hollow flexible sheath to said handle assembly;
• and
• a release slider attached to a proximal end of said suture and configured to be slidably supported about the handle portion of the circular stapler when the circular stapler has been inserted to said fully inserted position.