Positioning tool for anastomosis

Abstract

An assembly including a positioning tool that includes a probe affixed to a portion of a grasping tool, wherein a distal tip of the probe protrudes distally from the grasping tool a distance corresponding to a position for placing a magnet with the grasping tool.

Claims

1. A method comprising: delivering a first magnet to a place in a stomach by grasping said first magnet with a grasping tool, wherein a positioning tool that comprises a probe is affixed to a portion of said grasping tool; delivering a second magnet, either before or after delivery of said first magnet, to a place in an intestine past a pylorus; using said grasping tool to move a terminal distal end of said probe to touch the pylorus so that a position of said first magnet is at a fixed distance with respect to the pylorus; adjusting a position of said second magnet to align said second magnet with said first magnet, wherein a distance between the terminal distal end of said probe and a terminal end of said grasping tool is nonadjustable; and releasing said first and second magnets so that magnetic forces attract said magnets together, compressing together walls of the intestine and the stomach for eventually forming an anastomosis.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting a position of said second magnet to align said second magnet with said first magnet is done with a delivery system of said second magnet.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said probe has a width and a length at least five times longer than the width.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a positioning tool for use with a stomach anastomosis magnet, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of the positioning tool attached to the stomach anastomosis magnet and properly distanced from the pylorus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(4) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which illustrate a positioning tool 10 for use with a stomach anastomosis magnet 20, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

(5) The positioning tool 10 includes a probe 12 affixed to a portion of a grasping tool 14, such as but not limited to, a distal end of a biopsy forceps or other endoscopic tool which may be delivered through an endoscope 16 (shown in FIG. 2). The stomach anastomosis magnet 20 has a holding portion 22 for grasping with grasping tool 14.

(6) Magnet 20 is shown having a general disc shape, but other shapes, such as but not limited to, cylindrical, polygonal, ovoid, cube and others, can also be used. Magnet 20 may include a protective coating (such as, but not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene) for protection of the magnetic core from corrosive digestive acids or other bodily fluids.

(7) FIG. 2 illustrates magnets placed for forming an anastomosis between the stomach and a portion of the small intestine (such as the duodenum, jejunum or ileum). In addition to magnet 20, another anastomosis magnet 24 has been delivered through the esophagus E, stomach S, pylorus P, duodenum D and jejunum J. Magnet 24 may be delivered by an endoscope, guidewire, catheter or other device, and is placed adjacent to the intestinal wall (e.g., of the jejunum) as shown in FIG. 2.

(8) Magnet 20 is delivered to its place in the stomach by grasping with grasping tool 14 that passes through endoscope 16, or it can be delivered by guidewire, catheter or other device, in a similar manner to introducing magnet 24. Magnet 20 is positioned adjacent the wall of the stomach that borders the jejunum near the location of magnet 24. As seen in FIG. 2, the distance that probe 12 protrudes distally from grasping tool 14 is selected such that a distal tip 18 of probe 12 will touch the pylorus when stomach anastomosis magnet 20 is properly positioned opposite magnet 24. The position of magnet 24 may be modified by its delivery system to align with magnet 20. The magnets 20 and 24 may then be released so that the magnetic forces attract the magnets together, compressing together the walls of the jejunum and the stomach. Once necrosis of the walls of the stomach and the jejunum is complete, an anastomosis is formed. The magnets 20 and 24 can then pass through the body naturally or can be removed by means such as laparoscopic removal, endoscopic removal, or other procedure.

(9) It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.