Surgical device for controlled anchoring in the intestine

An anchoring device for protecting an anastomosis in an intestine during healing, the anchoring device comprising:

• an anchor configured to be implanted in the intestine at an anchor site upstream of the anastomosis in the intestine, wherein the anchor comprises an expandable downstream region and an expandable upstream region each configured to expand to a diameter greater than that of a cylindrical region therebetween to inhibit migration of the anchor from the anchor site, wherein the anchor is configured to define a suction chamber;
• a covering at the anchor configured to promote adhesion to an inner wall of the intestine at the anchor site while the anchor is implanted;
• and
• a tube in fluid connection with the suction chamber, wherein negative pressure applied to the suction chamber via the tube creates a vacuum in the suction chamber to anchor the anchor in the intestine at the anchor site upstream of the anastomosis,
• wherein the anchor is configured to remain anchored against the inner wall of the intestine at the anchor site during a period that is after post-operative restarting of a digestive process to allow for healing of the anastomosis while the anchor remains implanted in the intestine.