Surgical access devices with anvil introduction and specimen retrieval structures

[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/452,432, filed Mar. 14, 2011, entitled “Surgical Stapling Instruments”, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention generally relates to surgical devices for providing access into a body cavity, and more particularly, to surgical access ports capable of facilitating the introduction of a circular stapler anvil into the body cavity and/or retrieving a specimen from the body cavity.

[0003] Abdominal laparoscopic surgery gained popularity in the late 1980's, when benefits of laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder over traditional (open) operation became evident. Reduced postoperative recovery time, markedly decreased post-operative pain and wound infection, and improved cosmetic outcome are well established benefits of laparoscopic surgery, derived mainly from the ability of laparoscopic surgeons to perform an operation utilizing smaller incisions of the body cavity wall.

[0004] Laparoscopic procedures generally involve insufflation of the abdominal cavity with CO2 gas to a pressure of around 15 min Hg. The abdominal wall is pierced and a 5-10 mm in diameter straight tubular cannula or trocar sleeve is then inserted into the abdominal cavity. A laparoscopic telescope connected to an operating room monitor is used to visualize the operative field, and is placed through the trocar sleeve. Laparoscopic instruments (graspers, dissectors, scissors, retractors, etc.) are placed through two or more additional trocar sleeves for the manipulations by the surgeon and surgical assistant(s).

[0005] Various types of access ports have been developed over the years for providing access passages into the body cavity through which surgical instruments may be inserted. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/242,765, filed Sep. 30, 2008, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0081880 A1, entitled “Surgical Access Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,485,970, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/399,625, filed Mar. 6, 2009, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0228091, entitled “Methods and Devices For Providing Access Into a Body Cavity”, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/712,269, filed Feb. 25, 2010, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0249526 A1, entitled “Access Device With Insert” all disclose a variety of different access ports, devices and methods and are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties.

[0006] Circular staplers are useful for performing a variety of different surgical procedures using both open and laparoscopic methods. When employing such instruments, the surgeon often must detach the anvil portion from the stapling device in order to properly orient the anvil relative to the tissues to be cut and stapled. When a surgeon is performing the operation laparoscopically, access ports of the types described above may be used. However, the introduction and manipulation of the circular stapler anvil can prove to be challenging from time to time depending upon the procedures to be completed.

[0007] In general, a conventional circular stapler typically consists of an elongated shaft that has a proximal actuating mechanism and a distal stapling mechanism mounted to the elongated shaft. Various circular stapling devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,025; 5,205,459; 5,285,945; and 5,309,927 which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties. The distal stapling mechanism commonly consists of a fixed stapling cartridge that contains a plurality of staples configured in a concentric circular array. A round cutting knife is concentrically mounted in the cartridge interior to the staples for axial travel therein. Extending axially from the center of the cartridge is a movable trocar shaft that is adapted to have a staple anvil removably coupled thereto. The anvil is configured to form the ends of the staples as they are driven into it. The distance between a distal face of the staple cartridge and the staple anvil is commonly controlled by an adjustment mechanism that is mounted to the proximal end of the stapler shaft for controlling the axial movement of the trocar. Tissue that is clamped between the staple cartridge and the staple anvil is simultaneously stapled and cut when the actuating mechanism is activated by the surgeon.

[0008] Such circular stapling devices are commonly employed to removed diseased portions of the colon. Introduction and management of the circular stapler anvil into a conventional laparoscopic approach for colorectal surgery has been an ongoing limiter to employing laparoscopic procedures and techniques to complete such procedure. Further challenges relate to the extraction of the diseased portion of the colon from the patient. That is, current access ports and devices are not particularly well-suited for introducing a circular stapler anvil into the patient and/or to remove the diseased specimen from the patient after it has been severed from the healthy portion of the colon.

[0009] Thus, the need exists for an access port configured to facilitate the introduction of a circular stapler anvil into the patient and/or the removal of a specimen from the patient.

[0010] The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate some of the shortcomings present in the field of the invention at the time, and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

[0011] In connection with general aspects of various embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a surgical access device that includes a base portion that has a body portion protruding therefrom. An access passage extends through the base and body portions. A support member is coupled to the access device and is movable between a first object supporting configuration wherein an object may be supported by the access device member and a second position wherein the object may be released therefrom adjacent a distal end of the body portion.

[0012] In connection with yet another general aspect of one form of the present invention, there is provided a surgical access device that includes a base portion that has a first access passage extending therethrough. The access device further includes a tool introducer that has a body portion that is sized to be inserted through the first access passage in the base portion and is configured to releasably support a surgical tool therein. A specimen retrieval member is coupled to the access device and is selectively deployable from a storage position to a retrieval position.

[0013] In accordance with still another general aspect of one form of the present invention, there is provided an access port for introducing an anvil of a circular stapler into a body cavity and for removing a specimen therefrom. In various embodiments, the access port includes a tool introducer that has a first access passage that extends therethrough that is sized to releasably retain the anvil therein. The access port further includes a port body that has a tubular portion that is sized to extend into an opening into the body cavity. The access port has a second access passage extending therethrough that is sized to movably support the tool introducer tube therein for selective movement between a first installation position wherein the tubular portion of the port body, the tool introducer and the anvil may be inserted through the opening in the body cavity as a unit and a second position wherein the anvil is detachable from the tool introducer to be withdrawn out of said tubular portion of said port body into the body cavity.

[0026] The assignee of the present application also owns the following applications which were contemporaneously filed herewith and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

• • [0027] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,779, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Multiple Part Anvil Assemblies For Circular Surgical Stapling Devices”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0234892-A1;
  • [0028] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,798, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Modular Surgical Tool Systems”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0239010-A1;
  • [0029] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,801, filed Jul. 13 2011, entitled “Specimen Retraction Devices and Methods”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,632,462;
  • [0030] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,807, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Modular Occlusion and Tissue Acquisition Mechanisms For Circular Stapling Devices”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0238829-A1;
  • [0031] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,831, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Tissue Manipulation Devices”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0239082-A1;
  • [0032] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,768, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Collapsible Anvil Plate Assemblies For Circular Surgical Stapling Devices”, U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2012-0234890-A1;
  • [0033] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,786, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Circular Stapling Devices With Tissue-Puncturing Anvil Features”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0234898- A1;
  • [0034] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,774, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Anvil Assemblies With Collapsible Frames For Circular Staplers”, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US-2012-0234891-A1;
  • [0035] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/181,842, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Rectal Manipulation Devices”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,734,478; and
  • [0036] U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 13/181,827, filed Jul. 13, 2011, entitled “Surgical Bowel Retractor Devices”, U.S. Patent Publication No. US-2012-0238824.

[0037] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices and methods disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the devices and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0038] Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment”, or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0039] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional circular stapling instrument 10 that has an anvil 30 that may be inserted into the patient's body cavity with various surgical access embodiments of the present invention. The construction and operation of circular surgical stapling instruments are generally known in the art. Thus, those conventional components and features of circular staplers will not be discussed in detail herein beyond what may be necessary to understand the construction and operation of the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] As the present Detailed Description proceeds, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various embodiments of the present invention may be effectively employed with a variety of different circular stapler anvil configurations as well as with other forms of surgical instruments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, various embodiments of the present invention may be employed with those circular staplers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,791, entitled “Surgical Stapling Instrument With Mechanical Mechanism For Limiting Maximum Tissue Compression”, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Accordingly, the scope of protection afforded to the various embodiments of the present invention should not otherwise be limited to use with the exemplary circular stapler depicted herein.

[0042] By way of brief background, the circular stapling instrument 10 depicted in FIG. 1 includes a stapling head 20, an anvil 30, an adjustment knob assembly 40, and handle assembly 60. The stapling head 20 is coupled to the handle assembly 60 by an arcuate shaft assembly 70. A trigger 80 is pivotally supported by the handle assembly 60 and is used to operate the stapler 10 when a safety mechanism 82 is released. As will be discussed in further detail below, when the trigger 80 is activated, a firing system (not shown in FIG. 1) operates within the shaft assembly 70 to cause the staples to be expelled from the stapling head 20 into forming contact with the anvil 30. Simultaneously, a knife operably supported within the stapling head 20 acts to cut tissue held within the circumference of the stapled tissue. The stapler 10 is then pulled through the tissue leaving stapled tissue in its place.

[0043] FIGS. 2-4 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 110 that has been inserted through an opening 104 in a body wall portion 102 (e.g., the abdominal wall) of a patient 100 to form a passageway into the patient's body cavity 101 for insertion of surgical instruments therethrough and retrieval of specimens therefrom. In at least one form, the surgical access device 110 includes a base portion 120 that may generally comprise a substantially round flanged portion 122 that has a first tool access passage 124 extending therethrough. In those applications wherein the body cavity 101 is to be insufflated with gas, the base portion 120 may be provided with a conventional pierceable seal arrangement (not shown) designed to seal off the first tool access passage 124 while permitting selective access to the first tool access passage 124 therethrough.

[0044] Various embodiments of the surgical access device 110 further include a body portion 130 that protrudes from the base portion 120 and defines a second tool access passage 132 therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the base portion 120 and the body portion 130 may be integrally formed together from, for example, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon or an over mold of two of the materials. In other embodiments, the body portion 130 and the base portion 120 may be fabricated separately and attached together by an appropriate fastener arrangement. In various embodiments, the body portion 130 may comprise a substantially rigid hollow conduit or tube that is sized to permit a surgical tool to pass therethrough. As can be seen in FIG. 2, for example, the first and second tool access passages 124, 132 are sized to permit an anvil stern 34 of an anvil 30 to extend therethrough.

[0045] Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 110 further includes a support member 140 that is coupled to the surgical access device 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2-4, the support member 140 comprises a flexible bag 142 that may be fabricated from, for example, silicone, polyisprene, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon, etc. As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, in one form, the flexible bag 142 extends around the body portion 130 so that it is completely received therein. In various embodiments, the flexible bag 142 has a distal end 144 that has a cinchable distal opening 146 therethrough. In at least one form, the cinchable distal opening 146 includes a drawstring 150 that is supported in the flexible bag 142 around the distal opening 146. The drawstring 150 has a distal end 152 that extends out through the access device 110 to be accessible by the surgeon outside of the patient's body cavity 101. Thus, by applying tension to the drawstring 150, the cinchable opening 146 may be drawn closed.

[0046] Use of the surgical access device 110 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 2-4. To install the surgical access device 110, the surgeon cuts or otherwise forms a hole or passage 104 through the body wall 102 into the body cavity 101 of the patient. Once the hole 104 has been formed, the surgeon inserts the body portion 130 through the hole 104. In at least one form, the anvil 30 of the circular stapler 10 may be pre-loaded in the access device 110 as shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the anvil stem 34 may extend into the second access passage 132 and the anvil head 32 may be held in abutting relationship to the distal end 134 of the body portion 130 by the flexible bag 142. Once the access device 110 has been installed through the hole 104 in the body wall 102, the surgeon may then open the cinchable opening 146 by using, for example, a conventional grasping tool 160 that has been inserted through another opening or trocar passage, etc. (not shown) that extends into the body cavity 101. The construction and operation of such conventional grasping tools are known in the art and thus will not be discussed herein.

[0047] The cinchable opening 146 is opened to a position wherein the anvil 30 may be removed from the flexible bag 142 as shown in FIG. 3. The anvil 20 may then be employed in connection with the circular stapling instrument 10 in a known manner. In those surgical operations wherein a specimen 170 must be removed from the body cavity 101, the surgeon may insert the specimen 170 through the cinchable opening 146 into the flexible bag 142 and then cinch the opening 146 closed by pulling on the drawstring 150. See FIG. 4. The surgeon may then insert a conventional grasping tool 160 or other surgical instrument through the first and second access passages 124, 132 in the access device 110 to retrieve the specimen therefrom.

[0048] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 210 that has been inserted through an opening 104 in a body wall portion 102 (e.g., the abdominal wall) of a patient 100. In at least one form, the surgical access device 210 includes a base portion 220 that may generally comprise a substantially round flanged portion 222 that has a first tool access passage 224 extending therethrough. In those applications wherein the body cavity 101 is to be insufflated with gas, the base portion 220 may be provided with a conventional pierceable seal arrangement (not shown) designed to seal off the first tool access passage 224 while permitting selective access to the first tool access passage 224 therethrough.

[0049] In various embodiments, a body portion 230 is attached to the base portion 220 and defines a second tool access passage 232 therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the body portion 230 may comprise a flexible bag 234 that may be fabricated from, for example, silicone, polyisoprene, polycarbonate, nylon, raylon, etc. In various embodiments, the flexible bag 234 has a distal end 236 that has a cinchable distal opening 238 therein. In at least one form, the cinchable distal opening 238 includes a drawstring 250 that is supported in the flexible bag 234 around the distal opening 238. The drawstring 250 has a distal end 252 that extends out through the access device 210 to be accessible by the surgeon outside of the patient's body cavity 101. Thus, by applying tension to the drawstring 250, the cinchable opening 238 may be drawn closed.

[0050] As can also be seen in FIGS. 5-7, the surgical access device 210 further includes a releasable strap assembly 260 that is attached to the flexible bag 234 adjacent the distal end 236. In various forms, the releasable strap assembly 260 has an anvil support portion 262 that has a strap opening or hole 264 that is sized to receive an anvil stem 34 therethrough as shown. An anvil bag 266 is attached to the anvil support portion 262 to enclose the anvil stem 34 therein. The anvil support portion 262 is configured to be releasably engaged with a retention flange portion 268 of the releasable strap assembly 260. The strap assembly 260 is intended to provide the surgeon with a “grasping location” to “open” the lower part of the port after insertion. The strap assembly 260 can also function as a holster location for the anvil until the anvil is needed in the procedure.

[0051] Use of the surgical access device 210 will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 5-7. To install the surgical access device 210, the surgeon cuts or otherwise forms a hole 104 through the body wall 102 of the patient. Once the hole 104 has been formed, the surgeon inserts the body portion 230 through the hole 104. In at least one form, the anvil 30 of the circular stapler 10 may be pre-mounted in the access device as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the anvil stem 34 may extend through the strap opening 264 into the anvil bag 260. FIG. 5 illustrates the access device 210 installed in a patient. If during the surgical procedure, it becomes necessary or desirable to insert a tool or other instrument through the access device 210, the surgeon may unlatch the anvil support portion 262 from the retention flange portion 268 to permit the anvil 20 to be moved out of the way. A surgical tool 270, such as, for example, an endoscope may be passed through the access device 210 into the patient. When in the unlatched position, the anvil 20 may be removed from the releasable support strap assembly 260 by means of a conventional grasping device. In those surgical operations wherein a specimen 170 must be removed, the surgeon may insert the specimen 170 through the cinchable opening 238 in the flexible bag 234 and then cinch the opening 238 closed by pulling on the distal end portion 252 of the drawstring 150. See FIG. 7. The surgeon may then insert a conventional grasper or other surgical instrument through the first and second openings in the access device to retrieve the specimen therefrom.

[0052] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate one form of a surgical access device 310 that has been inserted through a hole 104 formed through a body wall 102 (e.g., the abdominal wall) of a patient 100. In at least one form, the surgical access device 310 includes a base portion 320 that may generally comprise a substantially round flanged portion 322 that has a first passage 324 extending therethrough. In addition, a port body 330 is attached to the base portion 320 and defines a second passage 332 therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the base portion 320 and the port body 330 may be integrally formed together from, for example, polycarbonate, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), nylon, raylon, etc. In other embodiments, the port body 330 and the base portion 320 may be fabricated separately and attached together employing an appropriate fastener arrangement. In various embodiments, the port body 330 may comprise a substantially rigid hollow conduit or tube. As can also be seen in FIG. 8, the port body 330 has a distal end 334. In at least one form, the distal end 334 is formed from a plurality of flexible arms 336 that centrally converge toward each other to define a reduced access passage 338. As will be discussed in further detail below, the reduced access passage 338 is sized to receive the anvil stem 34 therethrough.

[0053] Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 310 further includes a tool introducer 340 that has a flanged end 342 and a cylindrical body portion 344. The cylindrical body portion 344 is sized to be slidably received within the second passage 332 in the port body 330. The cylindrical body portion 344 has a tool access passage 346 extending therethrough that is sized to receive an anvil 30 therein. In various embodiments, the tool introducer 340 is configured with a retention structure 350 for releasably retaining the anvil 30 in the orientation depicted in FIG. 8. As can be seen in FIG. 9, in at least one embodiment, the retention structure 350 comprises an axial slot segment 352 that is sized to releasably engage a locking nub or protrusion 354 formed on the anvil head 32. Thus, to removably install the anvil 30 into the tool introducer 340, the user aligns the protrusion 354 with the axial slot segment 352 and then inserts the anvil 30 into the distal end of the tool introducer 340 such that the protrusion 354 enters the axial slot segment 352. Once the protrusion 354 has been seated into the axial slot segment 352, the surgeon may then twist the anvil 30 relative to the tool introducer 340 to cause the protrusion 354 to enter a radial slot segment 358. See FIG. 9. When the anvil 30 has been releasably retained within the tool introducer 340, the anvil stem 30 protrudes away from the distal end of the tool introducer as shown in FIG. 8.

[0054] Also in various embodiments, the surgical access device 310 further includes a support member 360 that is coupled to the surgical access device 310. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 8-11, the support member 360 comprises a flexible bag 362 that may be fabricated from, for example, silicone, polyisoprene, etc. In various embodiments, the flexible bag 362 has a proximal end 364 that includes an elastic collar 365 that defines a proximal opening 367 may be removably mounted over the outer rim 325 of the flanged portion 322 of the base portion 320. Such arrangement permits the flexible bag 362 to be discarded with the specimen therein. In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 11, when the collar 365 is removed from the outer rim 325, the collar 365 assumes a smaller configuration to contract the proximal opening 367. When in an undeployed storage position, the flexible bag 362 can be stored within the flanged portion 322 of the base 320 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In various embodiments, the flexible bag 362 has a distal end 364 that has a cinchable distal opening 366 therethrough. In at least one form, the cinchable distal opening 366 includes a drawstring 370 that is supported in the flexible bag 362 around the distal opening 366. The drawstring 370 has a distal end 372 that extends out through the access device 310 to be accessible by the surgeon outside of the patient's body cavity. Thus, by applying tension to the drawstring 370, the cinchable opening 366 may be drawn closed.

[0055] Referring now to FIG. 8, to install the access port 310 in the patient, the tool introducer 340 is slidably inserted into the port body 330 such that the end of the anvil stem 34 protrudes outward through the substantially frusto-conically shaped distal end 334 in the port body 330. In those embodiments wherein the distal end 35 of the anvil stem 34 is sharpened, the anvil stem 34 may be forced through the body wall 102 of the patient 100. Continued pushing of the access port 310 will cause the frusto-conical shaped distal end 334 to enter into the body cavity 101 through the opening 104. Further pushing on the port body 330 will cause the port body 330 to enter the body cavity 101 through the opening 104 until the flanged base portion 320 contacts the wall portion 102. In various embodiments, the port body 330 may be provided with a plurality of tissue-gripping ribs 331 or other formations to retain the access port 310 within the body wall portion 102.

[0056] Once the port body 330 has been installed within the body wall 102, the tool introducer 340 is moved axially inward within the port body 330 thereby causing the flexible arms 336 to splay open. See FIG. 9. Thereafter, the surgeon may detach the anvil 30 from the tool introducer 340 by grasping the anvil stem 34 and rotating the anvil 30 within the tool introducer 340 to disengage the locking protrusion 354 from the slot segments 352 and 358. Once the anvil 30 has been deployed out of the tool introducer 340, the anvil 30 may be employed in connection with an appropriate circular stapler to perform a surgical procedure. The access device 310 may also form a passageway for permitting the insertion of other surgical tools and instruments into the body cavity 101.

[0057] When performing procedures wherein a specimen 380 must be removed from the patient, the surgeon may deploy the flexible specimen bag 362. In particular, as shown in FIG. 10, the specimen bag 360 is unrolled and deployed down through the tool introducer 340 such that the distal end 364 protrudes outward through the distal end of the tool introducer 340. A conventional grasping instrument 160 or other suitable tool may then be inserted through the proximal opening 364 into the flexible bag 362 and out through the distal opening 366 in the flexible bag 362 to grab the specimen 170 and draw it into the flexible bag 362 through the distal opening 366. See FIG. 10. Once the specimen 170 has been drawn into the flexible bag 362, the surgeon may then cinch the opening 366 closed by pulling the draw string 372. Thereafter, the collar portion 365 may be detached from the flanged portion 322 of the base 320. Such arrangement permits the specimen 170 to be removed and discarded while being contained in the flexible bag 326.

[0058] The various embodiments of the present invention represent a vast improvement over prior surgical access ports and in particular those access ports that are used in connection with operations wherein circular stapling devices are employed. While several embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be apparent, however, that various modifications, alterations and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art with the attainment of some or all of the advantages of the invention. For example, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. This application is therefore intended to cover all such modifications, alterations and adaptations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0059] Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0060] The invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. The embodiments are therefore to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such equivalents, variations and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims be embraced thereby.