Patent ID: 8313014
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. 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, the support structure including at least one layer of expandable material disposed at least at the outer terminal edge of the body and configured to expand while in a patient's body, wherein the expandable material of the support structure has an un-expanded condition with an un-expanded dimension and an expanded condition with an expanded dimension greater than the un-expanded dimension, wherein the at least one layer of expandable material comprises a first and a second membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body portion, the first membrane expands in a substantially distal direction, and the second membrane expands in a substantially proximal direction.