Abstract:
The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. The present invention further relates to an expandable compression device for application to anastomotically joined tubular tissues, comprising: an upper ring-shaped or disk-shaped flange at a distal end of said device connected to a lower ring-shaped inflatable flange at a proximal end of said device via a hollow cylindrical tubular body, with an opening forming an axial passage through said upper flange, lower flange, and tubular body.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to reinforce and isolate the repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Throughout the years the medical field has utilized various techniques in an effort to join or bond body tissue together. Historically, suturing was the accepted technique for rejoining severed tissues and closing wounds. Suturing is achieved with a surgical needle and a suturing thread, with the intended function of sutures to hold the edges of a wound or tissue against one another during the healing process. Staples are used to replace suturing when joining or anastomosing various body structures, such as, for example, the bowel. The surgical stapling devices employed to apply staples are generally designed to simultaneously cut and seal an extended segment of tissue in a patient. 
         [0003]    Linear or annular/circular surgical stapling devices are employed by surgeons to sequentially or simultaneously apply one or more rows of surgical fasteners, e.g., staples, to body tissue for the purpose of joining segments of body tissue together and/or for the creation of an anastomosis. Linear surgical stapling devices generally include a pair of jaws or finger-like structures between which body tissue to be joined is placed. When the surgical stapling device is actuated, firing bars move longitudinally and contact staple drive members in one of the jaws, and surgical staples are pushed through the body tissue and into and against an anvil in the opposite jaw thereby crimping the staples closed. A knife blade may be provided to cut between the rows/lines of staples. 
         [0004]    Annular or circular surgical stapling devices generally include an annular staple cartridge assembly including a plurality of annular rows of staples (typically two or three), an anvil assembly operatively associated with the annular cartridge assembly, and an annular blade disposed internal of the rows of staples. In general, an end-to-end anastomosis stapler typically places an array or group of staples into the approximated sections of a patient&#39;s bowels or other tubular organs. The resulting anastomosis contains an inverted section of bowel which contains numerous “B” shaped staples to maintain a secure connection between the approximated sections of bowel. 
         [0005]    Anastomotic leaks may result in significant morbidity and frequently death. In addition to the use of surgical staples, sealants, e.g., synthetic or biological sealants, can be applied to the surgical site to guard against leakage. The biological sealants are typically applied to the outer surface of the anastomosis in a separate step. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,288 “Anastomotic ring applier with inflatable members”, assigned to ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC. describes a surgical instrument comprises a handle connected to a shaft and a pair of inflatable members. The shaft includes conduits for communicating a pressurized medium to the inflatable members and an insufflation tube. The handle includes a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the conduits and a port for communicating a pressurized medium to the insufflation tube. After an anastomotic ring has been deployed, the shaft may be positioned such that an inflatable member is positioned within each of the lumens joined by the anastomosis, such that an inflatable member is located on each side of the anastomosis. The inflatable members may be inflated to provide a seal in each of the lumens. With each of the lumens sealed by the inflatable members, the anastomosis site may be insufflated through the insufflation tube to leak or pressure test the anastomosis. 
         [0007]    According to the cited patent, a surgical instrument operable to test an anastomosis, wherein the anastomosis is located at an anastomosis site in a patient, the instrument comprising:(a) a handle;(b) a tip;(c) a tip actuator, wherein the tip actuator is configured to move the tip from a retracted position to an extended position;(d) a shaft connected to the handle, the shaft comprising:(i) an outer surface, (ii) a proximal end, wherein the handle is located at the proximal end of the shaft, (iii) a distal end, wherein the distal end of the shaft comprises two or more inflatable members adjacent the outer surface, wherein the two or more inflatable members are spaced to permit at least one inflatable member of the two or more inflatable members to be positioned on a first side of the anastomosis and another at least one inflatable member of the two or more inflatable members to be positioned on a second side of the anastomosis, wherein the at least one inflatable member is configured to provide a seal of at least one of the one or more lumens, wherein the seal is adjacent the anastomosis, wherein the seal is provided upon inflation of the at least one inflatable member, (iv) one or more conduits configured to communicate a pressurized medium to at least one of the two or more inflatable members, and (v) a tubular sheath, wherein the tubular sheath is moveable from a first position to a second position; (e) a ring deployment mechanism located at the distal end of the shaft adjacent the two or more inflatable members, wherein the ring deployment mechanism is operable to deploy an anastomotic ring at the anastomosis site, wherein the ring deployment mechanism defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the ring deployment mechanism comprises: (i) a proximal ring situated about said longitudinal axis, (ii) a first plurality of fingers, wherein each finger of the first plurality of fingers comprises a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the proximal segment of each finger of the first plurality of fingers is hingedly connected to the corresponding distal segment of the same finger of the first plurality of fingers at a corresponding finger joint, wherein the proximal segment of each finger of the first plurality of fingers is further hingedly connected to said proximal ring, wherein the first plurality of fingers are configured to engage the anastomotic ring at regions adjacent to the finger joints of the first plurality of fingers, (iii) a distal ring situated about said longitudinal axis, (iv) a second plurality of fingers, wherein each finger of the second plurality of fingers comprises a proximal segment and a distal segment, wherein the proximal segment of each finger of the second plurality of fingers is hingedly connected to the corresponding distal segment of the same finger of the second plurality of fingers at a corresponding finger joint, wherein the distal segment of each finger of the second plurality of fingers is further hingedly connected to said distal ring, wherein the second plurality of fingers are configured to engage the anastomotic ring at regions adjacent to the finger joints of the second plurality of fingers, and (v) a middle ring positioned in between said proximal ring and said distal ring, wherein the distal segment of each finger of the first plurality of fingers is further hingedly connected to the middle ring, wherein the proximal segment of each finger of the second plurality of fingers is further hingedly connected to the middle ring, wherein the middle ring longitudinally separates the distal segments of the first plurality of fingers from the proximal segments of the second plurality of fingers; (f) one or more actuators operable to actuate the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the one or more actuators is configured to move along the handle or the shaft; and (g) a tip tube positioned within the shaft, wherein the tip tube has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the tip tube is coupled with the tip actuator, wherein the distal end of the tip tube is coupled with the tip, wherein the tip actuator is operable to move the tip from a retracted position relative to the tubular sheath to an extended position relative to the tubular sheath via the tip tube; wherein the tip is configured to cover a distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the tip is in the retracted position; wherein the tip is configured to uncover the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the tip is in the extended position; wherein the tubular sheath is configured to cover a proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the tubular sheath is in the first position; wherein the tubular sheath is configured to uncover the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the tubular sheath is in the second position. 
         [0008]    As stated in the cited reference, the inflatable members may be inflated to provide a seal in each of the lumens, with each of the lumens sealed by the inflatable members, the anastomosis site may be insufflated through the insufflation tube to leak or pressure test the anastomosis. 
         [0009]    European Patent Application publication No. EP2139406A1 or WO2008135083 “AN ANASTOMOTIC APPLIER AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING ENDOLUMENAL AND/OR TRANSLUMINAL ANASTOMOSIS”, assigned to ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC., discloses an anastomotic ring applier system for deploying a first compression ring and a second compression ring, comprising an anastomotic applier including: a second ring carrier adapted to hold the second compression ring; a ring approximation device with a first portion connectable to an external first ring carrier device which supports said first compression ring and a second portion connected to said second ring carrier device, wherein the first portion forms a first thread and the second portion forms a second thread meshing the first thread; a rotary device acting on at least one of said first and second portions and configured to rotate the first and second portions to one another so that they translate to one another to approximate and interconnect the compression rings. The reference further discloses that the anastomotic ring applier system further includes a coupling device which comprises: a coupling portion connected to the first ring carrier and having an inflatable anchoring head, a catching portion connected to the ring approximation device and defining a receiving space for receiving at least part of the anchoring head and an access aperture through which the anchoring head is insertable from outside the catching portion into the receiving space, an activating device connected to the anchoring head and configured to deform the anchoring head such that it can take on an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration, wherein the access aperture is configured to allow insertion and withdrawal of the anchoring head when it is retracted and to lock the at least partially inserted anchoring head to the catching portion when it is expanded such as to firmly couple the approximation device to the first ring carrier device. 
         [0010]    Various compression anastomotic ring systems have been pursued as a replacement to the staple-based anastomotic closure. For example, LARA™ compression anastomotic ring system developed by novoGI™ utilizes nitinol-based compression ring specifically targeting low anterior resection (LAR) procedures. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,527,185 “Compression anastomosis ring assembly and applicator for use therewith” assigned to Niti Surgical Solutions Ltd., discloses a compression anastomosis ring (CAR) assembly which comprises: a first portion which comprises: an anvil ring; and a second portion which comprises: a bottom ring positioned substantially parallel to and spaced apart from said anvil ring, said anvil ring and said bottom ring being adapted to be brought together in the presence of a closure force applied there across: at least one ring element, where one of said at least one ring elements is a needle ring positioned on a side of said bottom ring distal from said anvil ring, said needle ring having a plurality of needles extending generally transversely therefrom toward said first portion; and at least one spring element which provides a restorative force formed at least partially of a shape-memory alloy, said spring element positioned on one of said at least one ring elements and being in compressive force transmissive contact with said bottom ring, and wherein when said compression anastomosis ring (CAR) assembly is positioned so as to hold between said anvil ring and said bottom ring tissue portions to be compressed and joined by anastomosis, said needle ring is operative, in response to the closure force to drive said plurality of needles through the tissue portions to be compressed and to anchor said plurality of needles in said anvil ring, and wherein when said anvil ring and said bottom ring are brought together in the presence of the closure force holding the tissue portions therebetween, and when said anvil ring is anchored by said plurality of needles, the restorative force provided by said at least one spring element is operative on said bottom ring to compress said tissue portions thereby effecting anastomosis. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,058 “Absorbable anastomosic fastener means” assigned to ETHICON INC., discloses a mechanism which is capable of anastomosis of two lumens by an absorbable fastener. The fastener is made from two washer-like plates. One such plate has holes to receive latching prongs protruding from the other plate. Fastening is done through a single linear motion that causes the prongs to pierce the tissue, latches the prongs into a receiver and causes a knife blade to cut through excess fastener material and tissue. The ease of removal, by pulling the mechanism through the formed anastomosis, is greatly enhanced. The system can be used such that the plates can be placed in any configuration to properly anastomose tissue. The patent discloses a compression anastomosis device comprising: a piercing ring containing a plurality of piercing flanges; a receiving ring containing a plurality of receiving slots corresponding to said flanges; and spring means placed between said piercing and receiving rings to exert a spring force on one of said piercing and receiving rings. 
         [0013]    Post-operative leakage of the stapled tissue seals, including anastomotic seals has been shown to lead to morbidity and mortality. A number of technologies are related to direct application of material to the serosal layer after stapling by either dripping or spraying. The problems associated with these techniques are that access is very difficult and visual assessment as to whether or not the material was applied to the right spot and completely around the anastomosis. The material is also applied on top of the serosal layer when the target site is actually subserosal along the staple line. Applying a therapeutic agent to the serosal layer of the colon requires the material to migrate through the serosa and to the staple region, then provide a biological affect, and overcome the problems associated with a leak formation, all within 24-48 hours, assuming the material was applied to the correct spot intra operatively. One of the most challenging steps in the application of a topical adjunctive therapy to a colorectal anastomosis is to provide the material to the site because of the extreme limitation in access to the site. Some colorectal anastomoses are performed relatively “low” in a patient (i.e. lower anterior resection) and the actual staple line is deep within the pelvic canal, which makes a topical application of material around the circumference very difficult. 
         [0014]    The known compression anastomotic rings lack the reliability of stapled anastomosis. The staple based anastomotic joining is a widely accepted practice but there is a need in improving the technology to prevent post-operative leakage of the stapled tissue seals to improve the viability of the tissue joined by staples. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention relates to surgical instruments and methods for enhancing properties of tissue repaired or joined by surgical staples and, more particularly to surgical instruments and methods designed to enhance the properties of repaired or adjoined tissue at a target surgical site, especially when sealing an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections so as to improve tissue viability, prevent tissue infection, and to prevent leakage. 
         [0016]    The present invention, in one aspect, relates to a circular surgical stapler for anastomotic joining of tissue having a stapling head connected to an opposing anvil, with stapling head containing a plurality of deployable staples in concentric arrays, and to a compression device deployable from the stapler onto the stapled anastomotic joint. 
         [0017]    The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a circular stapling instrument comprising: an anvil, a stapling head assembly; a moveable shaft connecting the anvil and staple head assembly; a longitudinal shaft from which the moveable shaft extends; a compression device removeably affixed to the anvil and having an upper ring-shaped or disk-shaped flange at a distal end of said device connected to a lower ring-shaped expandable flange at a proximal end of said device via a hollow cylindrical tubular body and an opening forming an axial passage through said upper flange, lower flange, and tubular body. 
         [0018]    The present invention, in yet another aspect, relates to a method of establishing an anastomotic joint between tubular tissue lumens with an anastomotic stapler, the stapler having a stapling head connectable to an opposing anvil and the stapling head containing a plurality of deployable staples, the method comprising the steps of: axially positioning on the anvil a compression device having an upper ring-shaped or disk-shaped flange at a distal end of said device connected to a lower ring-shaped expandable flange at a proximal end of said device via a hollow cylindrical tubular body and an opening forming an axial passage through said upper flange, lower flange, and tubular body; axially inserting the anvil into a first tubular tissue; axially inserting the anastomotic stapler into a second tubular tissue; connecting the anvil to the stapling head via an anvil shaft; approximating the anvil and the stapling head and compressing said first and second tubular tissues between the stapling head and the anvil; firing the anastomotic stapler and establishing the anastomotic joint between said first and second tubular tissues; partially withdrawing the anastomotic stapler thus positioning said compression device with said upper flange above stapled areas of said first and second tubular tissues and said lower flange below the stapled areas of said first and second tubular tissues; expanding said upper flange; expanding said lower flange, thus compressing the stapled areas of said first and second tubular tissues between the upper flange and the lower flange; removing the anastomotic stapler from the tubular tissues; separating the anastomotic stapler from the compression device; and leaving the compression device within said first and second tubular tissues with the upper flange above the stapled areas and the lower flange below the stapled areas. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a typical circular surgical stapling instrument 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8, 9 and 10  show a schematic side cross-sectional view of a portion of a circular stapler and of the compression device of the present invention in operation. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15  show a schematic side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
           [0028]      FIGS. 16 and 17  show a perspective view of an embodiment of the compression device of the present invention 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Surgery often involves joining of two or more layers of tissue together with optional simultaneous sectioning of a portion of the tissue along the staple line. For example, colorectal surgery in many cases involves the resection of a segment of the colon and rectum. Following a colorectal resection, the colon and rectum are drawn together with a circular stapler and an end-to-end anastomosis is performed. Post- op leakage of the anastomosis has been shown to lead to morbidity and mortality. 
         [0030]    Typical surgical stapling instruments have a staple-containing component and an opposing anvil component, between which at least two tissue layers to be joined are compressed prior to delivery of staples from the staple-containing component, whereby staples are piercing both tissue layers and are bent, deformed, or closed against the opposing anvil component. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a generic surgical anastomosis stapling instrument or stapling device for performing a circular anastomosis stapling operation is shown, with the figure taken from the U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 271 , 544  “Surgical anastomosis stapling instrument”, assigned to Ethicon, Inc., Somerville, N.J., and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. Various modifications and iterations of the shown stapling device are known in the art, having similar features. The circular anastomosis surgical stapling instrument  500  includes a distal stapling head assembly  600  connected by a longitudinally curved support shaft assembly  700  to a proximal actuator handle assembly  800 . The stapling instrument includes an anvil assembly or anvil  1000  which is slidable longitudinally relative to the stapling head assembly  600  and mounted on an axially extending moveable shaft  1040 . An optional rotatable adjusting knob  820  is provided at the proximal end of the actuator handle assembly  800  for adjusting the spacing between the stapling head assembly  600  and the anvil assembly  1000 . Other approximating means to compress adjacent sections of tissue are known to skilled artisans and can be used. An optional movable indicator  840  is visible through an optional window  850  on top of the handle assembly  800  to indicate the staple height and/or gap between the stapling head assembly  600  and anvil  1000  selected by rotation of the adjusting knob  820 . The indicator  840  is movable indicating that the anvil gap is within a desired operating range of the stapling instrument  500 . The position of the indicator  840  also indicates whether the selected staple height is large or small. 
         [0032]    A staple actuating lever  860  is pivotally mounted on the actuator handle assembly  800  for driving the surgical staples from the stapling head assembly  600  when the anvil assembly  1000  is closed to provide the desired staple height. A pivotal latching member  880  is mounted on the handle assembly  800  for locking the staple actuating lever  860  against movement to preclude actuation of the stapling head assembly  600  when the anvil gap is outside of a predetermined range. The stapling head assembly  600  includes a tubular casing  610  as well as a hollow tubular connector  640  at the proximal end of the casing  610  which receives the distal end of the support shaft  700 . A ferrule or sleeve  720  overlaps the joint between the tubular connector  640  and the distal end of the support shaft  700 . The proximal end of the support shaft  700  is received by a tubular extension  740  at the distal end of the actuator handle assembly  800 . A ferrule or sleeve  760  overlaps the joint between the proximal end of the support shaft  700  and the distal end of the tubular extension  740 . The movable indicator  840  is visible through a window  850  on top of the handle assembly  800  to indicate the staple height selected by rotation of the adjusting knob  820 . 
         [0033]    Other versions and modifications of the circular surgical stapler are known to a skilled artisan. There are typically at least two and frequently more concentric stapling lines or concentric circular rows of staples-containing slots surrounding shaft  1040 , with staples in each row typically staggered or offset relative to the staples in the adjacent row, to improve the sealing and prevent leakage along the stapling line. 
         [0034]    Clinical evidence shows the formation of a full wall intestinal defect at or near the anastomotic site may occur as soon as 1-2 days post-op, with typical time period when the clinical symptoms of leaks occur being from 1 to 5 days post-op. See, for example, K. Jonsson, H. Jiborn, B. Zederfeldt, “Breaking strength of small intestinal anastomoses”, The American Journal of Surgery, v. 145, pp. 800-803, 1983; Y.-H. Ho, M.A.T. Ashour, “Techniques for colorectal anastomosis”, World Journal of Gastroenterology, 16(13), pp. 1610-1621, 2010. 
         [0035]    According to the present invention, after the staples from a circular anastomotic stapler are deployed and an anastomotic joint is established connecting two parts of a tissue lumen, the circular anastomotic stapler is withdrawn and an inflatable barbell-shaped hollow compression device is installed over the stapled area within the tissue lumen, providing additional reinforcement and particularly isolating the just stapled and just resected areas from contaminations and potential infection. Optionally, a medicant is released from the compression device, such medicant being an anti-bacterial or anti-infective agent. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a schematic perspective view of generally barbell-shaped hollow compression device  10  is shown, with device  10  comprising an upper ring-shaped or toroid-shaped expandable flange  20 , such as in one embodiment, inflatable flange  20  connected to a lower ring-shaped or toroid-shaped expandable flange  30 , such as in one embodiment, inflatable flange  30  via a hollow cylindrically shaped tubular body  40 , with an opening  50  forming an axial passage through all three interconnected components of device  10 , i.e. through upper flange  20 , tubular body  40 , and lower flange  30 .  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of device  10  with upper flange  20 , tubular body  40 , and lower flange  30  shown separately but axially aligned with opening  50  visible in all three components.  FIG. 2  shows upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  in the inflated configuration, filled with a fluid such as water, saline, air, nitrogen, or the like.  FIG. 4  shows device  10  with upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  in a deflated configuration. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of compression device of the present invention is shown, with generally barbell-shaped hollow compression device  11  comprising an upper disk-shaped non-inflatable flange  21  connected to a lower ring-shaped or toroid-shaped inflatable flange  30  via a hollow cylindrically shaped tubular body  40 , with an opening  50  forming an axial passage through all three interconnected components of device  10 , i.e. through upper flange  21 , tubular body  40 , and lower flange  30 .  FIG. 6  shows an exploded view of device  11  with upper flange  21 , tubular body  40 , and lower flange  30  shown separately but axially aligned with opening  50  visible in all three components.  FIG. 5  shows lower flange  30  in the inflated configuration, filled with a fluid such as water, saline, air, nitrogen, or the like.  FIG. 7  shows device  11  with lower flange  30  in a deflated configuration. 
         [0038]    The ring-shaped or disk-shaped flanges are understood to have any shapes suitable for functioning in a manner described in this invention. 
         [0039]    Gap G between upper flange  20  or  21  and lower flange  30  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , when upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  are inflated. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a schematic cross-sectional partial view of a portion of circular stapler  500  performing anastomotic joining of tubular tissues T 1  and T 2  is presented. Anvil  1000  is shown disposed within tubular tissue T 1  and connected to stapling head  600  via moveable shaft  1040 . Anvil  1000  can be of any suitable shape or form, such as of generally widely used conical form as shown in  FIG. 1 , or of generally flat cylinder or disk form, as schematically shown in  FIGS. 8-10  or any other form such as a trapezoidal, toroidal or the like. Stapling head assembly  600  is shown disposed within tubular tissue T 2  and supported on support shaft assembly  700 . For simplification, the mechanism of staples  110  deployment and mechanism of deploying tissue cutting concentric knife  112  are not shown.  FIG. 8  shows anvil  1000  and stapling head  600  approximated, compressing tissue T 1  and T 2  between them, with staples  110  fired thus establishing a stapled joint between tissues T 1  and T 2  with staples  110  concentrically arranged in one or more concentric rows around tissue donut or cut-out  120 . 
         [0041]    Compression device  10  is shown disposed within tubular tissue T 1  and removably attached onto anvil  1000  via means of attachment, such as via snug fit of pin  55  into opening  50  within tubular body  40 . Pin  55  is positioned attached to or machined on top of anvil  1000 . Upper inflatable flange  20  is shown at least partially expanded or inflated, whereby lower inflatable flange  30  is in unexpanded, deflated configuration. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , after deploying staples and cutting out tissue cutout  120 , circular stapler  500  is being withdrawn in the direction of arrow A, with anvil  1000  moving past staples  110 , pulling device  10  lower inflatable flange  30  also past staples  110 . Upper inflatable flange  20  is at least partially or preferably fully expanded or inflated prior to circular stapler withdrawal and thus upper inflatable flange is not brought past staples  110 , positioning device  10  with upper flange  20  above staples  110  and within tubular tissue T 1  and lower flange  30  below staples  110  and within tubular tissue T 2 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , once device  10  is positioned with upper flange  20  above staples  110  and lower flange  30  below staples  110 , upper flange is optionally additionally inflated if needed to achieve full inflation. Lower flange  30  is also fully inflated thus immobilizing device  10  around staples  110  compressing staples  110  lines from above and below and isolating areas of tubular tissues T 1  and T 2  that were cut and stapled tissue. Circular stapler  500  is then fully withdrawn severing anvil  1000  connection to device  10  via pin  55 . Device  10  is positioned with upper flange  20  above staples  110  and within tubular tissue T 1  and lower flange  30  below staples  110  and within tubular tissue T 2 . 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 11 , after removal of circular stapler  500 , device  10  remains within tubular tissues T 1  and T 2  which are joined by staples  110 , with device  10  immobilized around staples  110  and compressing staple lines from above and below and isolating areas of cut and stapled tissue. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , compression device  11  which is an alternative embodiment of compression device  10  of the present invention, is installed in a similar fashion, with the upper disk-shaped non-inflatable flange  21  positioned within tissue T 1  above staples  110  and lower flange  30  positioned in fully inflated state below staples  110  and within tubular tissue T 2 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , embodiments for the inflation means for inflating upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  are shown. Flexible cannula  26  is shown connected to channel  27  in tubular body  40 , thus providing fluid communication from cannula  26  inlet  28  to upper flange  20 . 
         [0047]    Flexible cannula  36  is shown connected to channel  37  in tubular body  40 , thus providing fluid communication from cannula  36  inlet  38  to lower flange  30 . Inflating is performed by connecting a source of pressurized fluid, such as a syringe containing saline or air, to cannulas  26 ,  36  inlets  28 ,  38  and delivering fluid into upper flange  20  and lower flange  30 . An optional one way valve (not shown) can be provided in cannulas  26 ,  36  or in channels  27 ,  37 , or within upper flange  20  and lower flange  30 , to prevent deflation. A single cannula (not shown) such as cannula  26 , can also be used to connect to both channels  27  and  37  and simultaneously inflate upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  with the means to assure upper flange  20  is inflated to a greater extent or size, said means exemplified by a check valve or an orifice of a larger diameter. 
         [0048]    In certain embodiments compression devices  10  or  11  are made of non-resorbable polymers and metals or composites, preferably from polymeric and elastomeric materials. In one embodiment, inflatable flanges are non-compliant balloons whereby they are made of materials with low elasticity, low elastomeric properties materials, such as PET, whereby upon reaching the expanded state, increase of inflating pressure does not result in appreciable increase in size of the balloon. They are excreted as the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2  eventually undergo necrotic transformation and die off. 
         [0049]    In certain embodiments compression devices  10  and  11  are made of resorbable or erodible/soluble materials which are known to a skilled artisan. In certain embodiments only upper flange  20  and  21  and lower flange  30  are erodible/soluble, with time to at least partially dissolve from about 3 days to about 30 days in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, such as 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks, most preferably 2-4 weeks. Partial dissolution is defined as dissolution sufficient enough to result in deflation. 
         [0050]    In certain embodiments inflatable flanges  20  and  30  are not per se rapidly soluble or erodible in the GI tract, however inflatable flanges  20  and  30  have at least one deflation plug which is soluble or erodible in the GI environment and such plug defines the rate of deflating of flanges  20  and  30 . Upon dissolution of the plug, flanges  20  and  30  deflate releasing compression devices  10  or  11  resulting in devices  10  or  11  excretion. For the deflation plug the time to at least partially dissolve is from about 3 days to about 30 days in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, such as 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, or 4 weeks, most preferably 2-4 weeks. Partial dissolution is defined as dissolution sufficient enough to result in deflation. 
         [0051]      FIG. 15  shows embodiments of device  10  having soluble/erodible deflation plugs  29   a  and  29   b  installed to deflate upper flange  20  and soluble/erodible deflation plugs  39   a  and  39   b  installed to deflate lower flange  30 . 
         [0052]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sequence of using the inflatable compression device of the present invention for establishing an anastomotic joint is as follows:
   a) Axially positioning the inflatable compression device on the anvil   b) Axially inserting the anvil into the tubular tissue T 1     c) Axially inserting the anastomotic stapler into tubular tissue T 2     d) Connecting the anvil to the stapling head via the anvil shaft   e) Approximating the anvil and the stapling head and compressing tubular tissues T 1  and T 2  between the stapling head and the anvil   f) Firing the anastomotic stapler and establishing stapled anastomotic joint between tissues T 1  and T 2     g) Partially withdrawing the anastomotic stapler thus positioning the inflatable compression device with the upper flange above the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2  and the lower flange below the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2     h) Expanding the upper flange e.g. by inflating it prior to step f), immediately after step f), or immediately after step g), if the inflatable compression device has inflatable upper flange   i) Expanding the lower flange, e.g. by inflating it, thus compressing the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2  between the upper flange and the lower flange   j) Removing the anastomotic stapler from the tubular tissue T 2 , separating the anastomotic stapler from the inflatable compression device and leaving the inflatable compression device within tubular tissues T 1  and T 2  with the upper flange above the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2  and the lower flange below the stapled areas of tissues T 1  and T 2     Additional steps after the inflatable compression device installation include:
       Optionally releasing antimicrobial agents from the inflatable compression device   Deflating the inflatable compression device and allowing the inflatable compression device to pass through the GI tract out of the body   
       
 
         [0066]    Complete steps of anastomotic surgical procedures, e.g. application of purse string sutures are not listed above, but will be known to skilled artisans. 
         [0067]    According to the present invention, compression devices  10  or  11  are optionally at least partially coated or impregnated with releasable antimicrobial agents. All portions of devices  10  and  11  can be treated with such agents, or specific outside portions of devices  10  and  11  which are in contact with areas of tissues T 1  and T 2  which are stapled or cut, are preferably coated or impregnated with releasable antimicrobial agents. Referring to  FIGS. 16, 17 , one or more of the following areas are preferably coated or impregnated with releasable antimicrobial agents: Area A on the lower side of upper flange  20  or  21 ; area B on the upper side of lower flange  30 ; area C on the external surface of tubular body  40  between upper flange  20  or  21  and lower flange  30 . 
         [0068]    Advantageously, compression devices  10  or  11  isolate areas of stapled and cut tissue from the GI environment and establish a concentration of anti-microbial agents in the immediate vicinity of these areas of tissue. Such treatment is thought to minimize formation of tissue ulcerations and other defects and decrease the occurrence of anastomotic leaks. 
         [0069]    The diameter of disk-shaped upper flange  21  and inflated upper flange  20  and inflated lower flange  30  is conforming generally to the diameter of stapling head  600  and anvil  1000  and to the geometry/inner diameter of tubular tissue T 1  and T 2 . In some embodiments, diameter of upper flange  21  and inflated upper flange  20  and inflated lower flange  30  is from about 15 mm to about 30 mm, such as 20 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm. The diameter of non-inflated upper flange  20  and lower flange  30  is at least 25% smaller vs. the inflated diameter, such as 25%, 30% or 50% smaller. 
         [0070]    The diameter of the opening forming an axial passage through upper flange  20 , lower flange  30 , and tubular body  40  is from about 10 mm to about 20 mm. The wall thickness of the tubular body  40  is from about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, such as 1, 2, 3 mm. 
         [0071]    The height of the disk-shaped upper flange  21  is about 0.5 mm to about 5 mm, such as 1, 2, or 3 mm. The height of inflated upper flange  20  and inflated lower flange  30  is from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, more preferably 3 to 8 mm, such as 3, 4, or 6 mm, 
         [0072]    Gap G between upper flange  20  or  21  and lower flange  30  in inflated position is from 0 mm (i.e. upon inflation in absence of tissue T 1  and T 2  present in the gap G, upper flange  20  or  21  touches lower flange  30 ) to about 0.5 to 2 mm, such as 0.5 mm or 1 mm. When device  10  is installed on stapled tissue, Gap G corresponds to thickness of compressed tissues T 1  and T 2  between upper flange  20  or  21  and lower flange  30 . 
         [0073]    While the invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications, and variations can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such changes, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.