Anastomosis device and method of using same

A method for performing an anastomosis of an associated human luminal structure at an associated damaged region, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first insert including a body, a convex tip, a base and a bore extending through the body from the base to the tip;
• providing a second insert including a body, a concave tip, a base and a bore extending through the body from the base to the tip;
• providing an electromagnet in the tip of one of the first insert or the second insert capable of generating an electromagnetic field;
• introducing the first insert into a first portion of the associated luminal structure, the first insert being arranged such that the convex tip portion is oriented in a direction towards the associated damaged region when the first insert is in a final position;
• introducing the second insert into a second portion of the associated luminal structure, the second insert being arranged such that the concave tip portion is oriented towards the associated perforated site when the second insert is in a final position;
• advancing the first insert until the tip of the first insert is near to the associated damaged region;
• advancing the second insert until the tip of the second insert is near to the associated damaged region;
• activating the electromagnet provided in the tip of one of the first insert or the second insert and generating the electromagnetic field, the electromagnet attracting a magnetically responsive member in the tip of the other one of the first insert or second insert,
• aligning the first and second portions of the associated luminal structure at the associated damaged region by the convex tip of the one insert engaging the concave tip of the other insert and forming an anastomosis;
• maintaining the first and second inserts in electromagnetic engagement while passing a guide wire through the respective bores of the first and second inserts;
• deactivating the electromagnet;
• withdrawing the first and second inserts;
• and
• inserting a catheter or stent over the guide wire and allowing the anastomosis to heal.

A ureter or urethral anastomosis device for reconstituting an associated damaged human ureter or urethra, the device comprising:

• a first insert for supporting a first portion of the associated damaged ureter or urethra, the first insert including a generally cylindrical body, a tip, a base, and a bore extending through the body from the base to the tip;
• a second insert for supporting a second portion of the associated damaged ureter or urethra, the second insert including a generally cylindrical body, a tip, a base, and a bore extending through the body from the base to the tip;
• an electromagnet disposed in the tip of one of the first insert or the second insert for generating an electromagnetic field;
• a magnetically responsive member disposed in the tip of one of the other of the first insert or second insert, the responsive member being attracted towards the electromagnet when the electromagnet is powered to an on state;
• and
• wherein the tip of the first and second inserts are electromagnetically engaged to realign the first and second portions of the ureter to promote an anastomosis therebetween.

An obturator for removing a stricture in an associated luminal structure, the obturator comprising:

• a first body including a tip and a base, the tip including an orifice and the base including a port for receiving a first fluid, the orifice and the port being in fluid communication;
• a first inflatable balloon disposed at the tip of the first body;
• a second body including a tip and a base, the tip including an orifice and the base including a port for receiving a second fluid, the orifice and the port being in fluid communication;
• a second inflatable balloon disposed at the tip of the second body;
• and wherein, the second balloon is disposed below the first balloon and the second body is slidably engaged with the first body.

A method for removing a stricture from an associated human luminal structure, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an insert including an insert body, a tip, a base and a bore extending through the insert body from the base to the tip;
• providing an obturator including a first body having a first inflatable balloon and a second body having a second inflatable balloon, the second balloon being disposed below the first balloon and the first body being slidably engaged within the second body;
• inserting the obturator into the bore of the insert with the first and second balloons in a deflated state;
• inflating the second balloon;
• introducing the insert and the obturator into a proximal portion of the associated luminal structure;
• advancing the insert and the obturator until the tip of the insert is proximal to the associated stricture;
• deflating the second balloon;
• retracting the second body until the second balloon is disposed within the bore of the insert;
• advancing the first balloon through the associated stricture;
• inflating the first balloon;
• retracting the first body and the first balloon and urging the associated stricture into a concave recess in the tip of the insert;
• activating a suturing device within the insert and joining the proximal portion of the associated luminal structure adjacent the associated stricture to a distal portion of the associated luminal structure adjacent the associated stricture;
• separating the associated stricture from the adjacent proximal and the distal portions of the associated luminal structure;
• and
• withdrawing the insert and obturator from the associated luminal structure.