Magnetic anastomosis devices and methods of delivery

Abstract

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 ae also disclosed that improve a user's dexterity with the devices during placement.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A magnetic compression anastomosis system comprising:
 a self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device having a plurality of magnetic segments that self-assemble into a geometric shape including a polygon or ring; and   a guide element attached to or configured to interact with more than one of the plurality of magnetic segments of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device for manipulation of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device in at least one of an unassembled state or an assembled state.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the guide element is attached to a distal-most segment of the plurality of segments and also interacts with a restraint affixed to a proximal-most segment of the plurality of segments, wherein a proximal force on the guide element as the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device is deployed from a lumen will cause the distal-most and proximal-most ends of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device to join to form the geometric shape. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the guide element is attached to a distal-most segment of the plurality of segments and also interacts with radial members that facilitate assembly and placement of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a control member directly coupled to a proximal end of the guide element and configured to receive input from a user to control an amount of tension applied to the guide element for manipulation of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device in the unassembled state and/or the assembled state. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the control member includes a ring for receiving a user's finger to operate the control member. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled end-to-end to define a linear assembly having first and second ends, and the linear assembly forms the polygon or ring by spontaneously joining the first and second ends. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled end-to-end to define the polygon or ring, and the polygon or ring is collapsible to form a linear assembly having a length of approximately one half the perimeter of the polygon or ring. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled together with an exoskeleton that directs the self-assembly. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the guide element is biodegradable. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21 , further comprising a delivery device having a lumen configured to store the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device for delivery of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device into a subject. 
     
     
         31 . A method of forming an anastomosis comprising:
 providing a delivery device having a lumen in which is stored (a) a self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device having a plurality of magnetic segments that self-assemble into a geometric shape including a polygon or ring and (b) at least a portion of a guide element that is attached to or configured to interact with more than one of the plurality of magnetic segments of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device for manipulation of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device in at least one of an unassembled state or an assembled state, the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device being stored in the unassembled state;   delivering the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device into a patient using the delivery device; and   operating the guide element to manipulate the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device in at least one of the unassembled state or the assembled state.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the guide element is attached to a distal-most segment of the plurality of segments and also interacts with a restraint affixed to a proximal-most segment of the plurality of segments, and wherein operating the guide element produces a proximal force on the guide element as the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device is deployed from the lumen to cause the distal-most and proximal-most ends of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device to join to form the geometric shape within the subject. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the guide element is attached to a distal-most segment of the plurality of segments and also interacts with radial members, wherein operating the guide element facilitates assembly and placement of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising a control member directly coupled to a proximal end of the guide element and configured to receive input from a user to control an amount of tension applied to the guide element for manipulation of the self-assembling magnetic compression anastomosis device in the unassembled state and/or the assembled state, wherein operating the guide element includes providing input via the control member. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the control member includes a ring for receiving a user's finger to operate the control member. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled end-to-end to define a linear assembly having first and second ends, and the linear assembly forms the polygon or ring by spontaneously joining the first and second ends. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled end-to-end to define the polygon or ring, and the polygon or ring is collapsible to form a linear assembly having a length of approximately one half the perimeter of the polygon or ring. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the magnetic segments are coupled together with an exoskeleton that directs the self-assembly. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the guide element is biodegradable. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein operating the guide element comprises at least one of coordinating self-assembly of the plurality of magnetic members into the geometric shape, promoting disassembly of the geometric shape, altering the geometric shape, positioning the magnetic compression anastomosis device adjacent to tissue in the body of the subject, or pairing the magnetic compression anastomosis device with a second magnetic compression anastomosis device in the body of the subject.