Support structures and methods of using the same

An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, comprising:

• a) an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, the anvil being selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft;
• and
• b) a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure including a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft, the body having an outer terminal edge, wherein the body is compressible so that the outer terminal edge of the body extends beyond the outer radial surface of the anvil and the tubular body portion, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at the outer terminal edge of the body,
• wherein the support structure has an unhydrated condition wherein the body has a first diameter and a first thickness, and a hydrated condition wherein the body has a second diameter greater than the first diameter and a second thickness greater than the first thickness, and
• wherein the body expands from the first diameter and the first thickness to a second diameter and a second thickness upon application of a fluid thereto, the body being constructed from a first part of a two-part wound treatment material, and the fluid applied thereto is a second part of the two-part wound treatment material.