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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 a positioning tool that comprises a probe affixed to a portion of a grasping tool, wherein a distal tip of said probe protrudes distally from said grasping tool a distance corresponding to a position for placing a magnet with said grasping tool.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stomach anastomosis magnet that comprises a holding portion for grasping with said grasping tool. 
     
     
         3 . 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, wherein a distal tip of said probe protrudes distally from said grasping tool a distance corresponding to a proper position for placing said first magnet in the stomach; and   aligning said first and second magnets and releasing them so that magnetic forces attract said magnets together, compressing together walls of the intestine and the stomach for eventually forming an anastomosis.