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 . A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:
 a body portion;   an anvil assembly operatively associated with the body portion; and   a support structure releasably coupled to the anvil assembly, the support structure including:
 a body including an outer terminal edge; 
 a first membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body, the first membrane having a first condition in which the first membrane is rolled towards the body and a second condition in which the first membrane is unrolled; and 
 a first tether operatively associated with the first membrane such that when the first tether is pulled, the first membrane is deployed from the first condition to the second condition. 
   
     
     
         3 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first membrane of the support structure extends completely around the body. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the body of the support structure includes an aperture formed therethrough and the anvil assembly includes a shaft received through the aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the body of the support structure is impregnated with a wound treatment material. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first membrane of the support structure is a film. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the body of the support structure is a foam, a mesh, or a fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein, when the first membrane is in the first condition, the first tether of the support structure is rolled-up in the first membrane and includes a free end extending outwardly from the first membrane. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the support structure further includes:
 a second membrane extending from the outer terminal edge of the body, the second membrane having a first condition in which the second membrane is rolled towards the body and a second condition in which the second membrane is unrolled; and   a second tether operatively associated with the second membrane such that when the second tether is pulled, the second membrane is deployed from the first condition to the second condition.   
     
     
         10 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second membranes of the support structure extend outwardly from the outer terminal edge of the body from a common point. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second membranes each include an outer surface facing one another and, when the first and second membranes are in the first condition, the first and second membranes are each rolled towards the respective outer surface. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein, when the first and second membranes are in the second condition, the first and second membranes are unrolled in opposite directions. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a staple cartridge assembly operatively associated with a distal end of the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical stapling apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a handle member operatively coupled to a proximal end of the body portion. 
     
     
         15 . A method of joining tissue sections, comprising:
 positioning a body of a support structure on a shaft of an anvil assembly, the anvil assembly disposed within a first tissue section;   coupling the anvil assembly to a body portion of a surgical stapling apparatus, the body portion disposed within a second tissue section;   approximating the anvil assembly and the body portion to capture the body of the support structure between the first and second tissue sections; and   deploying a first membrane of the support structure that extends from an outer terminal edge of the body from a first condition in which the first membrane is rolled towards the body to a second condition in which the first membrane is unrolled.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein deploying the first membrane includes pulling a first tether operatively associated with the first membrane. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 deploying a second membrane of the support structure that extends from an outer terminal edge of the body from a first condition in which the second membrane is rolled towards the body to a second condition in which the second membrane is unrolled.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein deploying the second membrane includes pulling a second tether operatively associated with the second membrane. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein pulling the first and second tethers includes pulling the first and second tethers in opposite directions. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein deploying the first and second membranes includes unrolling the first and second membranes in opposite directions such that the first membrane overlies the first tissue section and the second membrane overlies the second tissue section.