The invention concerns delivering paired magnetic anastomosis devices to either side of tissues to be joined. The magnetic anastomosis devices are coupled to a guide element that facilitates delivery and manipulation of the devices when using minimally-invasive techniques such as endoscopy and laparoscopy. Elongated manipulators and guide tubes are also disclosed that improve a user's dexterity with the devices during placement.

A system for endoscopically forming an anastomosis between two naturally adjacent points in the digestive tract. The system utilizes elongate magnetic devices that, when connected across a tissue boundary, necrose tissue until an anastomosis forms and the devices are passed naturally. Despite the elongate shape of the devices, the resulting anastomosis is substantially round. As such, round anastomoses can be formed having increased diameters merely by increasing the lengths of the devices, obviating the need for wider endoscopes.

Compression anastomosis devices having a plurality of distinct pressure profile zones on the surface of the device. The anastomosis devices may be comprised of a plurality of magnetic connecting members arranged in an annular geometry, e.g., a polygon or circle. The anastomosis device may also be a continuous, non-segmented magnet, or other compression anastomosis device. The compression anastomosis device is deployed into a body lumen, e.g., endoscopically and/or laparoscopically, at a target site. A second compression anastomosis device is placed at an adjacent target site in an adjacent lumen. The compression anastomosis devices are brought together and mate, e.g., magnetically, creating an anastomosis.

Various embodiments incorporate an end effector in a magnetic anastomosis device system. The end effector is located between the handle of an endoscope or laparoscope and the distal end of the catheter. The end effector engages with and secures the magnetic anastomosis device assembly within a body lumen. The end effector is able to hold a magnetic device or devices with a tensile strength of 0-10 lbs. The end effector is small enough that two instruments of 1.8 mm diameter or smaller may be placed in a 3.7 mm working channel of an endoscope.

Magnetic anastomosis devices constructed from magnetic segments coupled together with members that help the devices spontaneously transform from a linear delivery configuration to a polygonal deployment configuration. When two devices are joined together over tissue(s), the compressive force causes the tissue(s) to necrose and form an anastomosis. By altering the arrangement of the magnetic poles of the magnetic segments in the devices, the magnetic interaction between paired devices can be altered. This property gives surgeons flexibility in choosing how much attractive force the devices will experience during a procedure.

The invention is an implantable magnetic anastomosis device having an exoskeleton that directs self-assembly. The design allows the device to be delivered in a linear configuration using a minimally-invasive technique, such as endoscopy or laparoscopy, whereupon the device self-assembles into, e.g., a polygon. A coupled set of polygons define a circumscribed tissue that can be perforated, or the tissue can be allowed to naturally necrose and perforate. The device can be used to create anastomoses in a variety of tissues, such as tissues found in the gastrointestinal, renal/urinary, and reproductive tracts. New procedures for using anastomoses, e.g., surgical bypass are also disclosed.

The invention concerns delivering paired magnetic anastomosis devices to either side of tissues to be joined. The magnetic anastomosis devices are coupled to a guide element that facilitates delivery and manipulation of the devices when using minimally-invasive techniques such as endoscopy and laparoscopy. Elongated manipulators and guide tubes are also disclosed that improve a user's dexterity with the devices during placement.

A magnetic anastomosis assembly includes a magnet with a passageway and a guidewire passing through the passageway. The passageway can be external or internal to the magnet body.

An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures includes a first device portion having a first mating surface, and a second device portion having a second mating surface configured to mate with the first mating surface to compress tissue positioned therebetween. Each of the first and second mating surfaces includes a contoured portion, and the contoured portions are configured to mate with one another to facilitate alignment of the first and second device portions. A first one of the contoured portions may be formed with a concave contour and a second one of the contoured portions may be formed with a complementary convex contour. The device portions may further include first and second magnetic members configured to draw the device portions together to engage the first mating surface with the second mating surface.

Devices are used to modify a metabolic pathway of a digestive system by creating a pathway within the intestinal tract through an anastomosis between a proximal location within the intestinal tract and a distal location within the intestinal tract. An anastomosis compression assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, each including two or more segments securely fixed together by a pair of degradable joining members, and each further including interlocking mechanisms. The first portion and second portion are configured to be coupled together from different locations within the intestinal tract by the application of force. Once aligned, the first and second portions are securely attached to one another by engaging their respective interlocking mechanisms. After completion of the anastomosis procedure, the degradable links degrade and separate the anastomosis compression assembly into smaller fragments for ease of passage through the patient's intestinal tract.