Fistula treatment devices and methods

Abstract

Disclosed herein are implantable fistula treatment devices and related methods. In some embodiments, an anorectal fistula treatment device may comprise a disc- shaped distal anchor comprising a concave side and a convex side, an outer edge region, an inner sealing region protruding from the concave side, and an attachment region configured for attachment to a connecting member. The inner sealing region may have a greater thickness than at least a portion of the attachment region and the outer edge region may be oriented at an acute angle to the inner sealing region. The distal anchor may have a tapered edge and the outer edge region and inner sealing region may be configured to form separate seals against tissue about a distal opening of an anorectal fistula.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A disc-shaped distal anchor for an anorectal fistula treatment device, the disc-shaped distal anchor comprising:
 a concave side;   a convex side;   an outer edge region disposed along an outer edge of the distal anchor;   an inner sealing region protruding from the concave side and disposed within the outer edge; and   an attachment region disposed within the inner sealing region and configured for attachment to a connecting member;   wherein the inner sealing region has a greater thickness than at least a portion of the attachment region.   
     
     
         2 . The distal anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the outer edge is tapered, and wherein the outer edge region and inner sealing region are configured to form separate seals against tissue about a distal opening. 
     
     
         3 . The distal anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one layer member embedded within the attachment region. 
     
     
         4 . The distal anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the middle layer member comprises a mesh material. 
     
     
         5 . The distal anchor of  claim 1 , wherein the middle layer member comprises a solid disc made of a first material that has at least one of a greater strength or a greater rigidity than that of a second material of which the disc-shaped distal anchor is made. 
     
     
         6 . The distal anchor of  claim 1 , further comprising a middle layer member sandwiched between two additional layer members formed from upper and lower surfaces of the disc-shaped distal anchor.