Non-magnetic fragmentable tissue compression devices

An anastomosis compression assembly, comprising:

• (a) a first half, comprising:
• (i) a non-biodegradable first segment comprising:
• (1) a first surface,
• (2) a second surface, and
• (3) a first engagement feature protruding from the first surface of the first segment,
• (ii) a non-biodegradable second segment comprising:
• (1) a first surface,
• (2) a second surface, and
• (3) a second engagement feature protruding from the first surface of the second segment,
• wherein an end of the second segment confronts an end of the first segment, and
• (iii) a biodegradable connector connecting the confronting ends of the first segment and the second segment;
• and
• (b) a second half, comprising:
• (i) a non-biodegradable third segment comprising:
• (1) a first surface,
• (2) a second surface, and
• (3) a third engagement feature, wherein the third engagement feature is configured to engage the first engagement feature to thereby couple the first segment with the third segment,
• (ii) a non-biodegradable fourth segment comprising:
• (1) a first surface,
• (2) a second surface, and
• (3) a fourth engagement feature, wherein the fourth engagement feature is configured to engage the second engagement feature to thereby couple the second segment with the fourth segment,
• wherein an end of the third segment confronts an end of the fourth segment, and
• (iii) a biodegradable connector connecting the confronting ends of the third segment and the fourth segment.

A method of forming an anastomosis in a patient's gastrointestinal tract, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) positioning a first tissue compression member in a first region of the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the first tissue compression member comprises two or more first member segments joined together by one or more biodegradable joining members, wherein each of the first member segments includes a first coupling feature;
• (b) positioning a second tissue compression member in a second region of the gastrointestinal tract, wherein the second tissue compression member comprises two or more second member segments joined together by one or more biodegradable joining members, wherein each of the second member segments includes a second coupling feature;
• (c) engaging each of the first coupling features with a respective second coupling feature to thereby couple each of the first member segments with a respective second member segment;
• (d) compressing tissue between the first and second tissue compression members in the first and second regions of the gastrointestinal tract;
• and
• (e) securing the first and second tissue compression members together to define a compression assembly that maintains compression of the tissue, wherein the compression assembly is defined in its entirety by a plurality of compression assembly sections, wherein each of the compression assembly sections comprises one of the first member segments and one of the second member segments secured together by the respective first and second coupling features;
• wherein the biodegradable joining members are configured to degrade while the compression assembly is in the gastrointestinal tract such that the compression assembly separates into the plurality of compression assembly sections.