Insertion instrument, adapter assemblies and protector assemblies for a flexible circular stapler

Abstract

An adapter assembly for connecting a handle assembly with a loading unit is provided. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an elongate body extending from the housing, and a trocar assembly supported within the elongate body and including a trocar member. The trocar member extends from the elongate body and is magnetized. Also provided are various assemblies for protecting the distal end of a surgical stapler during introduction of the surgical stapler within a patient.

1 . (canceled). 
     
     
         2 . An assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of a circular stapling instrument into the patient, the assembly comprising:
 a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about an elongate body of a circular stapling instrument, and   a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about a loading unit of the circular stapling instrument secured to a distal end of the elongate body of the circular stapling instrument.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cap member is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cap member is formed of flexible plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein each section of the plurality of sections is connected to an adjacent section of the plurality of sections by a frangible connection. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the frangible connection includes a weakened bridge. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line extending along the length. 
     
     
         10 . A circular stapling instrument, comprising:
 an elongate body having a distal end;   a loading unit disposed on the distal end of the elongate body; and   an assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of the loading unit into a body of the patient, the assembly comprising:
 a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about the elongate body; and 
 a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about the loading unit. 
   
     
     
         11 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         12 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member is transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         13 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member is formed of flexible plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         15 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 14 , wherein each section of the plurality of sections is connected to an adjacent section of the plurality of sections by a frangible connection. 
     
     
         16 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 15 , wherein the frangible connection includes a weakened bridge. 
     
     
         17 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 10 , wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line along the length. 
     
     
         18 . A circular stapling instrument, comprising:
 an actuation assembly;   an elongate body extending from the actuation assembly, the elongate body having a distal end;   a loading unit disposed on the distal end of the elongate body; and   an assembly for protecting tissue of a patient during introduction of the loading unit into a body of the patient, the assembly comprising:
 a sleeve member including a distal end, the sleeve member being configured for receipt about the elongate body; and 
 a cap member secured to the distal end of the sleeve member, the cap member being configured for releasable receipt about the loading unit. 
   
     
     
         19 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the cap member includes a substantially conical shape. 
     
     
         20 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the cap member is divided into a plurality of sections. 
     
     
         21 . The circular stapling instrument of  claim 18 , wherein the sleeve member includes a length and defines a tear-line along the length.