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US007546940B2
(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: Us 7,546,940 B2
Milliman et al. (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 16,2009
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FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
CA 908529 8/1972
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Primary Examiner—Brian D Nash
(57) ABSTRACT
A surgical stapling device is disclosed for performing circular anastomoses. The surgical stapling device includes a handle portion, an elongated body portion and a head portion including an anvil assembly and a shell assembly. The anvil assembly includes a tiltable anvil which will tilt automatically after the device has been fired and unapproximated. The anvil assembly of the stapling device also includes a retainer clip positioned on the anvil head. The retainer clip includes at least one resilient arm which is positioned to engage a cutting ring during unapproximation of the stapling device.
9 Claims, 33 Drawing Sheets
