Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

Abstract: 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. A magnetic anastomosis compression device includes a first arm, a second arm, a resilient member, and a pair of magnets. The magnetic anastomosis compression device further includes a degradable retaining element. The retaining element temporarily holds the first arm and second arm in a wide configuration in opposition to the bias exerted by the resilient member. Upon the degradation of the retaining element, the resilient member causes the first arm and second arm to transition to a narrow configuration. The magnetic anastomosis compression device is configured to magnetically couple with another magnetic anastomosis compression device positioned within a different location within the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A method is used to reduce a volume of a stomach of a patient. The method includes inverting a portion of a stomach wall to thereby create an inverted portion. An expandable member is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the inverted portion. The expandable member is expanded to thereby expand the inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. A base region of the inverted portion is cinched to thereby capture the expanded expandable member in the expanded inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. Expanding and cinching provide a cinch diameter to first outer diameter ratio from approximately 0.5:1 to approximately 0.9:1.

Abstract: A packaging assembly is designed for an applicator that contains a buttress assembly that is used with a surgical stapler to reinforce a cut and stapled tissue site. The packaging assembly protects the buttress assembly from damage due to physical contact as well as exposure to adverse environmental factors like excess moisture, etc. In one example the packaging assembly includes a dual tray design with an inner tray that holds the applicator. The combined inner tray and applicator are hermetically sealed within a foil assembly or foil pouch. The foil pouch with the inner tray and applicator within is placed within the outer tray to protect the foil from damage.

Abstract: 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. A magnetic anastomosis compression device includes a first arm, a second arm, a resilient member, and a pair of magnets. The magnetic anastomosis compression device further includes a degradable retaining element. The retaining element temporarily holds the first arm and second arm in a wide configuration in opposition to the bias exerted by the resilient member. Upon the degradation of the retaining element, the resilient member causes the first arm and second arm to transition to a narrow configuration. The magnetic anastomosis compression device is configured to magnetically couple with another magnetic anastomosis compression device positioned within a different location within the intestinal tract.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis includes a first device portion having a first mating surface, a first base wall recessed from the first mating surface so as to define a first inner recess, and a first set of suture bores extending through the first base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the first device portion. A second device portion of the device has a second mating surface, a second base wall recessed from the second mating surface so as to define a second inner recess, and a second set of suture bores extending through the second base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the second device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to compress tissue positioned between the first and second mating surfaces.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures includes a first device portion and a second device portion configured to mate with the first device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to magnetically draw together to compress tissue positioned therebetween. The device further includes a circuit assembly including an electrical element and a battery configured to energize the electrical element. The electrical element may be in the form of an electromagnet or an illumination device, for example. In exemplary versions, the first device portion may include a first circuit assembly having a first electrical element and a first battery, and the second device portion may include a second circuit assembly having a second electrical element and a second battery.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method is used to reduce a volume of a stomach of a patient. The method includes inverting a portion of a stomach wall to thereby create an inverted portion. An expandable member is positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the inverted portion. The expandable member is expanded to thereby expand the inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. A base region of the inverted portion is cinched to thereby capture the expanded expandable member in the expanded inverted portion. The expanded expandable member has a first outer diameter. Expanding and cinching provide a cinch diameter to first outer diameter ratio from approximately 0.5:1 to approximately 0.9:1.

Abstract: 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. A magnetic anastomosis compression device includes a first arm, a second arm, a resilient member, and a pair of magnets. The magnetic anastomosis compression device further includes a degradable retaining element. The retaining element temporarily holds the first arm and second arm in a wide configuration in opposition to the bias exerted by the resilient member. Upon the degradation of the retaining element, the resilient member causes the first arm and second arm to transition to a narrow configuration. The magnetic anastomosis compression device is configured to magnetically couple with another magnetic anastomosis compression device positioned within a different location within the intestinal tract.

Abstract: A tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures may include a first device portion having a first magnetic member and a second device portion having a second magnetic member. The magnetic members are configured to magnetically draw together the first and second device portions to compress tissue positioned therebetween. The compression device further includes a latching mechanism configured to couple the first device portion with the second device portion when the device portions are magnetically drawn together. The latching mechanism may include a first latching member extending from the first device portion and a second latching member extending from the second device portion. The latching members are configured to lockingly engage and thereby couple the first device portion with the second device portion.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures includes a first device portion and a second device portion configured to mate with the first device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to magnetically draw together to compress tissue positioned therebetween. The device further includes a circuit assembly including an electrical element and a battery configured to energize the electrical element. The electrical element may be in the form of an electromagnet or an illumination device, for example. In exemplary versions, the first device portion may include a first circuit assembly having a first electrical element and a first battery, and the second device portion may include a second circuit assembly having a second electrical element and a second battery.

Abstract: 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. A magnetic anastomosis compression device includes a first arm, a second arm, a resilient member, and a pair of magnets. The magnetic anastomosis compression device further includes a degradable retaining element. The retaining element temporarily holds the first arm and second arm in a wide configuration in opposition to the bias exerted by the resilient member. Upon the degradation of the retaining element, the resilient member causes the first arm and second arm to transition to a narrow configuration. The magnetic anastomosis compression device is configured to magnetically couple with another magnetic anastomosis compression device positioned within a different location within the intestinal tract.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An exemplary tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis includes a first device portion having a first mating surface, a first base wall recessed from the first mating surface so as to define a first inner recess, and a first set of suture bores extending through the first base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the first device portion. A second device portion of the device has a second mating surface, a second base wall recessed from the second mating surface so as to define a second inner recess, and a second set of suture bores extending through the second base wall and opening to an outer periphery of the second device portion. The first and second device portions are configured to compress tissue positioned between the first and second mating surfaces.

Abstract: A tissue compression device for forming an anastomosis between first and second anatomical structures may include a first device portion having a first magnetic member and a second device portion having a second magnetic member. The magnetic members are configured to magnetically draw together the first and second device portions to compress tissue positioned therebetween. The compression device further includes a latching mechanism configured to couple the first device portion with the second device portion when the device portions are magnetically drawn together. The latching mechanism may include a first latching member extending from the first device portion and a second latching member extending from the second device portion. The latching members are configured to lockingly engage and thereby couple the first device portion with the second device portion.