Abstract:
An assembly including a positioning tool that includes a probe affixed to a portion of a grasping tool, wherein a distal tip of the probe protrudes distally from the grasping tool a distance corresponding to a position for placing a magnet with the grasping tool.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to devices and methods for creating an anastomosis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and particularly to a positioning aid for positioning a stomach anastomosis magnet relative to the pyloric valve (pylorus). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Magnetic anastomosis devices are used to create a channel between two viscera for the purpose of redirecting bodily fluids. For example, intestinal contents or bile may be redirected in patients who have developed an obstruction of the bowel or bile duct due to such conditions as tumor, ulcer, inflammatory strictures or trauma. Some magnetic anastomosis devices include first and second magnet assemblies comprising magnetic cores that are surrounded by thin metal rims. Due to the magnetic attraction between the two magnetic cores, the walls of two adjacent viscera (e.g., the gall bladder, common bile duct, stomach, duodenum, or jejunum) may be sandwiched and compressed between the magnet assemblies, resulting in ischemic necrosis of the walls to produce an anastomosis between the two viscera. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention seeks to provide a positioning aid for positioning a stomach anastomosis magnet relative to the pylorus, as is described more in detail hereinbelow. 
         [0004]    There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention an assembly including a positioning tool that includes a probe affixed to a portion of a grasping tool, wherein a distal tip of the probe protrudes distally from the grasping tool a distance corresponding to a position for placing a magnet with the grasping tool. The assembly may further include a stomach anastomosis magnet that includes a holding portion for grasping with the grasping tool. 
         [0005]    There is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention a method including delivering a first magnet to a place in a stomach by grasping the first magnet with a grasping tool, wherein a positioning tool that includes a probe is affixed to a portion of the grasping tool, delivering a second magnet, either before or after delivery of the first magnet, to a place in an intestine past a pylorus, wherein a distal tip of the probe protrudes distally from the grasping tool a distance corresponding to a proper position for placing the first magnet in the stomach, and aligning the first and second magnets and releasing them so that magnetic forces attract the magnets together, compressing together walls of the intestine and the stomach for eventually forming an anastomosis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a simplified pictorial illustration of a positioning tool for use with a stomach anastomosis magnet, constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a simplified illustration of the positioning tool attached to the stomach anastomosis magnet and properly distanced from the pylorus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    Reference is now made to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , which illustrate a positioning tool  10  for use with a stomach anastomosis magnet  20 , constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0010]    The positioning tool  10  includes a probe  12  affixed to a portion of a grasping tool  14 , such as but not limited to, a distal end of a biopsy forceps or other endoscopic tool which may be delivered through an endoscope  16  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The stomach anastomosis magnet  20  has a holding portion  22  for grasping with grasping tool  14 . 
         [0011]    Magnet  20  is shown having a general disc shape, but other shapes, such as but not limited to, cylindrical, polygonal, ovoid, cube and others, can also be used. Magnet  20  may include a protective coating (such as, but not limited to, polytetrafluoroethylene) for protection of the magnetic core from corrosive digestive acids or other bodily fluids. 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates magnets placed for forming an anastomosis between the stomach and a portion of the small intestine (such as the duodenum, jejunum or ileum). In addition to magnet  20 , another anastomosis magnet  24  has been delivered through the esophagus E, stomach S, pylorus P, duodenum D and jejunum J. Magnet  24  may be delivered by an endoscope, guidewire, catheter or other device, and is placed adjacent to the intestinal wall (e.g., of the jejunum) as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0013]    Magnet  20  is delivered to its place in the stomach by grasping with grasping tool  14  that passes through endoscope  16 , or it can be delivered by guidewire, catheter or other device, in a similar manner to introducing magnet  24 . Magnet  20  is positioned adjacent the wall of the stomach that borders the jejunum near the location of magnet  24 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , the distance that probe  12  protrudes distally from grasping tool  14  is selected such that a distal tip  18  of probe  12  will touch the pylorus when stomach anastomosis magnet  20  is properly positioned opposite magnet  24 . The position of magnet  24  may be modified by its delivery system to align with magnet  20 . The magnets  20  and  24  may then be released so that the magnetic forces attract the magnets together, compressing together the walls of the jejunum and the stomach. Once necrosis of the walls of the stomach and the jejunum is complete, an anastomosis is formed. The magnets  20  and  24  can then pass through the body naturally or can be removed by means such as laparoscopic removal, endoscopic removal, or other procedure. 
         [0014]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.