Systems, devices, and methods for forming anastomoses

A pre-loaded storage and loading device for facilitating storage of a compression anastomosis member in a delivery configuration and loading of the compression anastomosis member into an access device while remaining in the delivery configuration, the pre-loaded storage and loading device comprising:

• an elongate body having a two-piece construction comprised of a first body member releasably coupled to a second body member, wherein the first body member defines a first half of the elongate body and the second body member defines a corresponding second half of the elongate body relative to a median plane bisecting the elongate body along a longitudinal axis thereof, each of the first and second body members includes a channel extending an entire length thereof between proximal and distal ends, wherein, when the first and second body members are assembled and coupled to one another, the resulting elongate body includes an open proximal end and an open distal end defined by the proximal and distal ends of the first and second body members, respectively;
• a lumen extending between the open proximal and distal ends of the elongate body, the lumen defined by the channels of the first and second body members, wherein the lumen surrounds a self-closing compression anastomosis device within and maintains the compression anastomosis device in a delivery configuration;
• a proximal cover member coupled to the open proximal end of the elongate body, the proximal cover member comprising a body having an aperture extending therethrough and aligned with the lumen of the elongate body, the aperture shaped and/or sized to receive and allow an elongate manipulator to pass therethrough and into the lumen and further including an inner surface to provide a friction fit with an external surface of the elongate manipulator sufficient to minimize a gas or fluid from passing through the proximal end of the elongate body during movement of the elongate manipulator;
• and
• a distal cover member removably coupled to the distal end and configured to enclose the distal end when coupled thereto,
• wherein the open distal end of the elongate body is configured to be releasably coupled to a working channel of an access device to thereby place the lumen in fluid communication with the working channel and further align the lumen with the working channel to allow the compression anastomosis device to move from the lumen into the working channel, while remaining in the delivery configuration, for subsequent delivery from the working channel of the access device to an anatomical structure within a patient in which the compression anastomosis device transitions to a deployed configuration.