Support Structures and Methods of Using the Same

Abstract

An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue includes an anastomosis device having an anvil and a tubular body portion, wherein the anvil is selectively attachable to the tubular body portion by a shaft; and a support structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue. The support structure includes a body defining an aperture therein for receiving the shaft. The body has an outer terminal edge. The support structure includes at least one layer of expandable material disposed at the outer terminal edge of the body.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, the apparatus comprising:
 a surgical stapling instrument including a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly operatively associated with the staple cartridge assembly; and   a support structure including:
 a body defined by an inner terminal edge and an outer terminal edge, the inner terminal edge defining an aperture centered about a central axis; and 
 at least one membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body, the at least one membrane including a plurality of ribs fabricated from a shape memory material. 
   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one membrane is a polymeric film. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one membrane extends completely around the outer terminal edge of the body. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend radially around the central axis of the body in spaced relation relative to each other. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one membrane has an undeployed condition and a deployed condition, and the plurality of ribs of the at least one membrane have a memorized shape that corresponds with the deployed condition. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein, in the undeployed condition, the at least one membrane is rolled towards the body and, in the deployed condition, the at least one membrane is unrolled and extends away from the body. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the memorized shape is oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of the body such that, in the deployed condition, the at least one membrane extends substantially parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one membrane includes first and second membranes. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second membranes overlap one another. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein, the first and second membranes each have an undeployed condition and a deployed condition, and, in the deployed condition:
 the first membrane extends in a first direction from the body; and   the second membrane extends in a second direction from the body, opposite the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . A support structure for deposition between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure comprising:
 a body defined by an inner terminal edge and an outer terminal edge, the inner terminal edge defining an aperture centered about a central axis; and   at least one membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body, the at least one membrane including a plurality of ribs fabricated from a shape memory material.   
     
     
         13 . The annular support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one membrane is a polymeric film. 
     
     
         14 . The annular support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one membrane extends completely around the outer terminal edge of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The annular support structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of ribs extend radially around the central axis of the body in spaced relation relative to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The annular support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one membrane has an undeployed condition and a deployed condition, and the plurality of ribs of the at least one membrane have a memorized shape that corresponds with the deployed condition. 
     
     
         17 . The annular support structure according to  claim 16 , wherein, in the undeployed condition, the at least one membrane is rolled towards the body and, in the deployed condition, the at least one membrane is unrolled and extends away from the body. 
     
     
         18 . The annular support structure according to  claim 16 , wherein the memorized shape is oriented substantially parallel to the central axis of the body such that, in the deployed condition, the at least one membrane extends substantially parallel to the central axis. 
     
     
         19 . A support structure for deposition between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue, the support structure comprising:
 a body including an outer terminal edge; and   first and second membranes each extending completely around the outer terminal edge of the body, each of the first and second membranes including a plurality of ribs extending radially around a central axis of the body.   
     
     
         20 . The support structure according  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of ribs of the first and second membranes are fabricated from a shape memory material having a memorized shape.