#$%^&*AU2012261497A120130801.pdf#####SLIDING SLEEVE FOR CIRCULAR STAPLING INSTRUMENT RELOADS ABSTRACT A surgical stapling device (10) and method for joining tissue portions are provided including a handle assembly (12), an elongate body (100) extending from the handle assembly (12), a cartridge assembly (102) supported on a distal end of the elongate body (100), and an anvil assembly (140) at a distal end of the surgical stapling device (10). The anvil assembly (140) includes a shaft (144) for removably coupling the anvil assembly (140) to the cartridge assembly (102) and a head (142) pivotally mounted to a distal end of the shaft (144). A sleeve member (158) is slidably disposed about the shaft (144) of the anvil assembly (140) and is transitionable between a first position, where the sleeve member (158) engages the head (142) of the anvil assembly (140) to secure the head (142) in an un-tilted. condition, and a second position, where the sleeve member (158) is disengaged from the head (142) of the anvil assembly (140) to allow the head (142) to tilt. 6911437v1:PRW
