#$%^&*AU2009200795B220120329.pdf#####ANNULAR SUPPORT STRUCTURES Abstract The invention is directed to a method for reinforcing an anastomotic lumen of a hollow body. The method includes the step of cutting the hollow body into a pair of severed sections, inserting an anvil assembly (16) of a circular stapling apparatus (10) into one of the pair of severed sections of the hollow body such that a shaft (22) of the anvil assembly (16) extends out of a terminal end of one of the pair of severed sections, suturing the terminal end of one of the pair of severed sections around the shaft (22) of the anvil assembly (16), inserting a staple cartridge assembly (14) into the other of the pair of severed sections such that the open end of the cartridge assembly (14) faces the open end of the severed sections of the hollow body, suturing the terminal end of the other of the pair of severed sections, providing a rigid reinforcing lumen ring (100) between the anvil assembly (16) and the staple cartridge assembly (14) such that when the circular stapling apparatus (10) is fired, surgical staples (20) penetrate the terminal ends of the pair of severed sections and the reinforcing lumen ring (100), coupling and approximating the anvil assembly (16) to the staple cartridge assembly (14), and firing the circular stapling apparatus (10). Fig. I
