Systems, methods and devices for connecting non-adherent structures

A system for forming an anastomosis between a target site in a first section of a digestive tract and a target site in a second section of a digestive tract separated from the first section by at least one anatomical wall, the system comprising:

• a first flexible elongate member configured to extend into the first section of the digestive tract and having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a needle including a lumen extending therethrough and configured to extend from the second section of the digestive tract into the first section of the digestive tract through the at least one anatomical wall;
• a first flexible element configured to extend through the lumen of the needle and the at least one anatomical wall and into the first section of the digestive tract, and having a distal end and a proximal end;
• and
• a stent delivery system configured to deliver a stent to the digestive tract and to extend the stent through the at least one anatomical wall to extend between the first section and the second section of the digestive tract;
• wherein the distal end of the first flexible element and the distal end of the first flexible elongate member are configured to be connected together to create a connecting rail between the first section and the second section of the digestive tract.

A system for forming an anastomosis between a target site in a first section of a digestive tract and a target site in a second section of the digestive tract separated by at least one anatomical wall, the system comprising:

• a snare configured to extend into the first section of the digestive tract and having a distal end with a loop and a proximal end;
• a needle having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending therebetween, the needle configured to extend into the second section of the digestive tract through the at least one anatomical wall;
• and
• a stent advanceable, using the system, to extend through the at least one wall of the first section and the second section of the digestive tract;
• wherein the loop of the snare is configured to be positioned around the distal end of the needle to create a connecting rail between the first section and the second section of the digestive tract.