Joining rings for anastomotic coupler

Abstract

An anastomotic coupler is provided. A female ring has a female receiving portion. The female ring is operable to be coupled with a first tubular structure. A male ring is operable to be coupled with a second tubular structure. The male ring is operable to be at least partially received in the female receiving portion of the female ring to couple the first tubular structure with the second tubular structure such that a lumen of the first tubular structure is aligned and in fluid communication with a lumen of the second tubular structure.

Description

JOINING RINGS FOR ANASTOMOTIC COUPLERCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 468,321 , filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 23, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 579,557, filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on August 30, 2023, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to joining rings for an anastomotic coupler to connect two tubular structures such as vessels, esophagus, intestine, lymphatic structure, and / or graft material.BACKGROUND

[0003] An anastomosis is a connection between two luminal structures. Commonly, these connections can occur with blood vessels (for example, vascular anastomosis), or tubular gastrointestinal structures (for example, intestines, stomach, esophagus). Conventional techniques allow the anastomosis to be completed between two ends (referred to as end-to-end anastomosis), or between the end of one structure and the side of another structure (referred to as end-to-side anastomosis). Procedures requiring these anastomoses are carried out thousands of times per day, globally. Likewise, multiple surgical specialties rely upon the creation of reliable, unobstructed anastomoses for successful treatment of their respective patients.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

[0005] FIG. 1 A illustrates a diagram of a male ring for an anastomotic coupler;

[0006] FIG. 1 B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the male ring of FIG. 1A;

[0007] FIG. 1 C illustrates another cross-sectional view of the male ring of FIG. 1A;

[0008] FIG. 1 D illustrates a front view of the male ring of FIG. 1 A;

[0009] FIG. 2A illustrates the male ring coupled on a first tubular structure;

[0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the male ring coupled on the first tubular structure;

[0011] FIG. 3A illustrates a female ring for the anastomotic coupler;

[0012] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the female ring of FIG. 3A;

[0013] FIG. 3C illustrates another cross-sectional view of the female ring of FIG.3A;

[0014] FIG. 3D illustrates a front view of the female ring of FIG. 3A;

[0015] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the female ring coupled with a second tubular structure;

[0016] FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the female ring coupled with the second tubular structure;

[0017] FIG. 5A illustrates the female ring receiving the male ring to couple the first tubular structure with the second tubular structure;

[0018] FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of FIG. 5A.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the examples described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure.

[0020] The original technique for vascular suture anastomoses was created by Alexis Carrel between 1901-1910. This pioneering work resulted in Carrel receiving the Nobel Prize in 1912. Despite 100 years of surgical evolution and innovation since that discovery, the majority of vascular anastomoses to this day still employ suture techniques similar to Carrel’s initial description in the early 1900s. In the 1970s,gastrointestinal stapling devices were introduced, which quickly replaced primary suture techniques for bowel anastomoses. However, most surgeons still employ circumferential suture techniques in the serosal layer overlying the stapled anastomosis for added support. Although generally successful, these techniques can take long periods of time, often require additional surgical expertise, and if not performed correctly, may result in leakage (blood, stool contents, gastric contents, lymphatic fluid), constriction, stenosis, and / or obstruction at the anastomotic site. In the case of vascular anastomoses, stenosis and / or obstruction can result in catastrophic complications such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral limb ischemia, amputation, death, and reconstructive failure and soft-tissue loss. For example, in the setting of gastrointestinal anastomoses, these complications can result in extraluminal leak of gastrointestinal contents, infection, sepsis, obstruction, and death.

[0021] With the understood importance of reliable, open anastomoses, alternatives to sutures and staples have been used. An example of a vascular anastomotic coupler is described, for instance, in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2015 / 0088172 A1 (the ‘172 Publication). This coupler has two circular ends with spikes or pins. The vessel is brought through the ring and the vessel wall is everted, or rolled over, the pins for securement as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B of the ‘172 Publication. This is completed on each vessel end, and the two rings are then brought together with the spikes / pins being forced into the opposite ring to join the ends together as shown in FIG. 1 C of the '172 Publication. However, because of the potential for micro-motion of the vessels and size mismatch due to the anastomotic coupler of the ‘172 Publication, blood leakage may happen, and / or one of the pins may tear through the vessel wall creating a leak and / or site for platelet aggregation and thrombosis (blood clot formation). Likewise, with the anastomotic coupler of the ‘172 Publication, for thicker walled, less elastic vessels, particularly arteries, everting vessel edges can be quite difficult and may result in trauma to the vessel wall (intima) and / or stenosis at the anastomosis, both of which can create platelet aggregation, turbid flow, and / or thrombosis with subsequent obstruction of flow. Additionally, the technique of the ‘172 Publication requires additional specialized equipment (surgical microscope, high- powered loupe magnification) to use. For gastrointestinal stapled anastomoses, many procedures are performed either side-to-side which is not a natural pathway for intestinal smooth muscle propulsion of stool contents (for example, non-longitudinalflow along the length of the intestine), or end-to-end, which requires a separate, remote full-thickness bowel access incision for deployment, thereby creating a secondary weak point for potential leak, or adhesion formation.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1A, a male ring 100 for an anastomotic coupler is provided. The anastomotic coupler is provided to create a connection between adjacent tubular structures 12. The tubular structure 200 can include blood vessels, grafts, prostheses, gastrointestinal structures, esophagus, lymphatics, and / or any other suitable channels of the body or the operation for which the tubular structure 200 is created. The tubular structure 200 forms a lumen 204 through which matter can be passed, for example blood, food, fluids, and / or cells.

[0023] The anastomotic coupler includes a male ring 100 and a female ring 300 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4B). The male ring 100 includes a body 102 that forms an aperture 104. The male ring 100 is operable to receive a tubular structure 200 through the aperture 104. While the male ring 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1A has a substantially circular shape, the male ring 100 can have any suitable shape such as rectangular, triangular, octagonal, hexagonal, and / or oval. Additionally, the male ring 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 A is a singular solid piece, in some examples, forease of application or manufacturing purposes, the male ring 100 can include two semi-circular or arctype pieces that are joined together around the tubular structure 200. In other examples, the male ring 100 can include a plurality of pieces that can be joined together such that the male ring 100 can receive the tubular structure 200 therein.

[0024] The male ring 100 can include a front end 1020 and a rear end 1022 opposite the front end 1020. The front end 1020 can be operable to be inserted into and / or received by a female ring 300 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B). The male ring 100 can include a projection 106 that extends from the body 102. In at least one example, the projection 106 extends around the entire circumference of the body 102. In at least one example, the projection 106 can have a radius 106R about 0.1 millimeters.

[0025] The size of the male ring 100 and the lumen 104 of the male ring 100 can vary based on the application and the size of the tubular structure 200. For example, the diameter of the lumen 104 can range from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) (for example for lymphatic connections) to about 60 millimeters (for example for gastrointestinal connections). Due to the range of diameters for the male ring 100, and the range ofdiameters for the tubular structure 200, the appropriate male ring 100 can be selected by measuring the internal diameter of the tubular structure 200. This can be accomplished, for example, with an intraluminal measurement guide / device. If there is a significant size mismatch (1 mm or greater) between the tubular structure 200 and the male ring 100, then a short, cylindrical tube connector with a corresponding male and female end can be used to allow for gradual transition in size in any direction to accommodate the size difference. For example, a cylindric tube can be provided that tapers in size such that one end is 1 mm-2 mm larger / smallerthan the other end, which would enable a connection of a 1 mm vessel to a 2.5 mm-3.5 mm vessel during microsurgical procedures without problem and vice versa.

[0026] The male ring 100 can include a male receiving portion 108 formed as a portion of the lumen 104. In at least one example, the male receiving portion 108 can be formed adjacent to the front end 1020 of the body 102. The male receiving portion 108 can be in the form of a notch or a recess. The male receiving portion 108 can have a width 108W between about 0.3 millimeters and about 1 .0 millimeters. In some examples, the width 108W can be between about 0.4 millimeters and about 0.7 millimeters. In some examples, the width 108W can be about 0.5 millimeters. The width 108W can vary based on the dimensions and / or shape of the tubular structure 200. The lumen 104, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 B-1 D can have walls 110 that taper at an angle such that a diameter of the lumen 104 decreases from a front diameter 1040D at the end of the male receiving portion 108 near the front end 1020 of the body 102 to a rear diameter 1042D at the rear end 1022 of the body 102. The walls 110 can be operable to abut against and / or be proximate to the external walls or surfaces of the tubular structure.

[0027] The walls 110 of the lumen 104 can taper at an angle 110A between about2 degrees and about 8 degrees. In some examples, the walls 110 can taper at an angle 1 10A between about 3 degrees and about 6 degrees. In some examples, the walls 110 can taper at an angle 110A between about 4 degrees and about 5 degrees. In some examples, the walls 110 can taper at an angle 110A about 4.46 degrees. The angle 110A of the taper can vary based on the size and / or shape of the tubular structure 200 and / or the size, shape, and / or angle of the fasteners 22. The taper can create a seal with the tubular structure 200 and provide tensile strength.

[0028] FIGS. 1 C and 1 D show example dimensions of the male ring 100 in millimeters. The dimensions are measured from the origin 0 and different intervals. The dimensions can vary and / or be scaled based on the size of the tubular structure 200.

[0029] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the male ring 100 coupled with a tubular structure 200. The tubular structure 200 can include a wall 202 that forms a lumen 204.

[0030] The anastomotic coupler can include a cartridge 20 that is operable to be received in the annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200. The cartridge 20 can include one or more fasteners 22 that are operable to at least partially puncture the walls 202 of the tubular structure 200 and engage with the male ring 100 to couple the male ring 100 with the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fasteners 22 can extend from the cartridge 20 at an angle. In some examples, the fasteners 22 can be operable to puncture the walls 110 of the male ring 100.

[0031] In at least one example, the walls 110 are operable to compress the fasteners 22 extending from the tubular structure 200 against the external side of the walls 202 of the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fasteners 22 may not puncture the walls 1 10 of the male ring 100.

[0032] The annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200 can be aligned and / or in fluid communication with the annulus 104 of the male ring 100 such that fluid can flow between the annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200 and the annulus 104 of the male ring 100.

[0033] The male ring 100 and / or the cartridge 20 can be made from mechanically suitable materials that are approved, and have sufficient strength, for use in the human or animal body. For example, the following materials, alone or in any combination, can be used: metals, in particular titanium or stainless steel, including the special alloys used for implants and medical instruments, nitinol, carbon materials, including carbon fiber meshes, soft plastic, for example silicone, hard plastic, for example Teflon, ceramic material, and / or bioresorbable material. The male ring 100 and / or the cartridge 20 can be provided entirely or partially with a coating and / or structure that prevents or at least reduces the adherence of blood constituents. Such a coating can be composed of a material that smooths the surface. In at least one example, the coating can also contain anti-thrombotic medicaments (e.g. heparin).

[0034] The above process of coupling the male ring 100 with the tubular structure 200 can be repeated for a second tubular structure 200 with a female ring 300. FIGS. 3A-4B illustrate the female ring 300. Similar to the male ring 100 discussed above, the female ring 300 includes an aperture 304 operable to receive a tubular structure 200 and walls 310 that taper at an angle 310A. The walls 310 can be operable to abut against and / or be proximate to the external walls or surfaces of the tubular structure.

[0035] The female ring 300 includes a body 302 that forms an aperture 304. The female ring 300 is operable to receive a tubular structure 200 through the aperture 304. While the female ring 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1A has a substantially circular shape, the female ring 300 can have any suitable shape such as rectangular, triangular, octagonal, hexagonal, and / or oval. Additionally, the female ring 300 as illustrated in FIG. 1 A is a singular solid piece, in some examples, forease of application or manufacturing purposes, the female ring 300 can include two semi-circular or arctype pieces that are joined together around the tubular structure 200. In other examples, the female ring 300 can include a plurality of pieces that can be joined together such that the female ring 300 can receive the tubular structure 200 therein.

[0036] The female ring 300 can include a front end 3020 and a rear end 3022 opposite the front end 3020. The front end 3020 can be operable to be receive a male ring 100 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0037] The size of the female ring 300 and the lumen 304 of the female ring 300 can vary based on the application and the size of the tubular structure 200. For example, the diameter of the lumen 304 can range from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) (for example for lymphatic connections) to about 60 millimeters (for example for gastrointestinal connections). Due to the range of diameters for the female ring 300, and the range of diameters for the tubular structure 200, the appropriate female ring 300 can be selected by measuring the internal diameter of the tubular structure 200. This can be accomplished, for example, with an intraluminal measurement guide / device. If there is a significant size mismatch (1 mm or greater) between the tubular structure 200 and the female ring 300, then a short, cylindrical tube connector with a corresponding male and female end can be used to allow for gradual transition in size in any direction to accommodate the size difference. For example, a cylindric tube can be provided that tapers in size such that one end is 1 mm-2 mm larger / smallerthan the other end, which would enable a connection of a 1 mm vessel to a 2.5 mm- 3.5 mm vessel during microsurgical procedures without problem and vice versa.

[0038] The female ring 300 can include a female receiving portion 3040 formed as a portion of the lumen 304. In at least one example, the female receiving portion 3040 can be formed adjacent to the front end 3020 of the body 302. The female receiving portion 3040 can be in the form of a notch or a recess. The female receiving portion 3040 can have a lip 306 that extends into the female receiving portion 3040. The lip 306 can correspond with the protrusion 106 such that when the male ring 100 is received in the female receiving portion 3040, the protrusion 106 extends into and past the lip 306. Once the protrusion 106 is inserted past the lip 306, the abutment between the protrusion 106 and the lip 306 couple the male ring 100 with the female ring 300. Accordingly, the lip 306 and the protrusion 106 provide a snap fit between the male ring 100 and the female ring 300.

[0039] The female receiving portion 3040 also includes a recess 3082 that is operable to receive the front end 1020 of the male ring 100. An abutment 308 adjacent to the recess 3082 is operable to be received in the male receiving portion 108. With the recess 3082 and the abutment 308 corresponding with the front end 1020 and the male receiving portion 108, the male ring 100 and the female ring 300 are aligned and coupled with one another. With the recess 3082 and the abutment 308 corresponding with the front end 1020 and the male receiving portion 108, the male ring 100 and the female ring 300 are operable to create a seal such that fluid does not leak out of the anastomotic coupler. The male ring 100 and the female ring 300 are operable to join together with compression to create a seal and prevent leakage.

[0040] The lumen 304, as illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3D can have walls 330 that taper at an angle such that a diameter of the lumen 304 decreases from a front diameter 3040D at the end of the male receiving portion 308 near the front end 3020 of the body 302 to a rear diameter 3042D at the rear end 3022 of the body 302. The taper can create a seal with the tubular structure 200 and provide tensile strength.

[0041] The walls 330 of the lumen 304 can taper at an angle 330A between about 2 degrees and about 8 degrees. In some examples, the walls 330 can taper at an angle 330A between about 3 degrees and about 6 degrees. In some examples, the walls 330 can taper at an angle 330A between about 4 degrees and about 5 degrees. In some examples, the walls 330 can taper at an angle 330A about 4.46 degrees. Theangle 330A of the taper can vary based on the size and / or shape of the tubular structure 200 and / or the size, shape, and / or angle of the fasteners 22.

[0042] FIGS. 3C and 3D show example dimensions of the female ring 300 in millimeters. The dimensions are measured from the origin 0 and different intervals. The dimensions can vary and / or be scaled based on the size of the tubular structure 200.

[0043] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the female ring 300 coupled with a tubular structure 200. The tubular structure 200 can include a wall 202 that forms a lumen 204.

[0044] The anastomotic coupler can include a cartridge 20 that is operable to be received in the annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200. The cartridge 20 can include one or more fasteners 22 that are operable to puncture the walls 202 of the tubular structure 200 and engage with the female ring 300 to couple the female ring 300 with the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fasteners 22 can extend from the cartridge 20 at an angle. In some examples, the fasteners 22 can be operable to puncture the walls 330 of the female ring 300.

[0045] In at least one example, the walls 330 are operable to compress the fasteners 22 extending from the tubular structure 200 against the external side of the walls 202 of the tubular structure 200. The fasteners 22 may not puncture the walls 330 of the female ring 300.

[0046] The annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200 can be aligned and / or in fluid communication with the annulus 304 of the female ring 300 such that fluid can flow between the annulus 204 of the tubular structure 200 and the annulus 304 of the female ring 300.

[0047] The female ring 300 and / or the cartridge 20 can be made from mechanically suitable materials that are approved, and have sufficient strength, for use in the human or animal body. For example, the following materials, alone or in any combination, can be used: metals, in particular titanium or stainless steel, including the special alloys used for implants and medical instruments, nitinol, carbon materials, including carbon fiber meshes, soft plastic, for example silicone, hard plastic, for example Teflon, ceramic material, and / or bioresorbable material. The female ring 300 and / or the cartridge 20 can be provided entirely or partially with a coating and / or structure. In some examples, the coating and / or structure can be operable to preventor at least reduce the adherence of blood constituents. Such a coating can be composed of a material that smooths the surface. In at least one example, the coating can also contain anti-thrombotic medicaments (e.g. heparin, hydrophilic coating, etc.). In some examples, the coating and / or structure can be operable to prevent scarring and / or adhesions. In some examples, the coating and / or structure can have other beneficial properties to help with the anastomosis.

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the male ring 100 is received in the female receiving portion 3040 of the female ring 300 to couple the male ring 100 with the female ring 300, and to couple the two tubular structures 200 so that the annuluses 204 of the two tubular structures 200 are in fluid communication. In some examples, the rings 100, 300 can be coupled with one another by, for example, fastening, snapping, clamping, stenting, tacking, pinning, loop and hook, adhesive, and / or other connecting method so long as the rings 300 are securely coupled with one another.

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5A and 5B, when the rings 100, 300 are coupled with one another, the lumens 204 of the two tubular structures 200 are aligned in fluid communication with one another. In at least one example, the rings 100, 300 can create a seal to prevent fluid leakage. Accordingly, the anastomotic coupler provides a more reliable, faster, more secure anastomotic coupling device to create a sealed, leak-proof, open connection between the ends of the tubular structures 200 and allow for “stented” unobstructed flow of luminal contents through the connection / anastomosis (e.g. blood, lymph, fluid, stool contents, gastric contents, etc.). This connection can be strong enough to withstand tension, traction, and high flow pressure, which may occur with distal obstruction.

[0050] In at least one example, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 A, 1 B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, and 4A-5A, the male ring 100 and / or the female ring 300 can include a biosensor 180 operable to detect and / or measure parameters of the tubular structure 200, for example fluid flow. In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be included in the male ring 100 and / or the female ring 300.

[0051] In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be used with the male ring 100 and / or the female ring 300 which can be, as discussed above, coupled with the tubular structure 200 via the cartridge 20. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be included in a ring that is coupled to the tubular structure 200 via other coupling mechanisms such as suture, adhesive, compression, etc. without deviating from thescope of the disclosure. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be operable to detect and / or measure the parameters through a stent, intact vessel, suture, anastomosis, etc.

[0052] The biosensor 180 can include a wireless bioelectronic sensor. The biosensor 180 can be positioned along a ring (e.g., the male ring 100, the female ring 300, and / or a ring operable to be positioned about a tubular structure 200). In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be positioned along and / or within an inner diameter of the ring. In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be within the wall of the ring. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be included in the wall of the ring proximate to or exposed from an end of the ring. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be exposed from the wall of the ring such that the biosensor 180 can be in direct contact with the tubular structure 200 when the ring is in contact with the tubular structure 200. Accordingly, when the ring is in direct contact with the tubular structure 200, the biosensor 180 can identify and record, in real-time, parameters. For example, the measured parameters can include, but not be limited to, presence / absence of any flow, flow velocity through the ring and / or tubular structure 200, oxygen saturation of blood / fluid within the tubular structure 200, hemoglobin concentration, turbulence of flow, waveform of flow, pulsation, pressure within the structure, novel biologic markers of ischemia and / or thrombosis, etc. The data corresponding with the parameters measured by the biosensor 180 can then be wirelessly transmitted from the ring 100, 300 to a computing device (e.g., computer, phone, server, etc.) for diagnostic monitoring purposes. In some examples, the data can be continuously transmitted from the ring 100, 300 to the computing device. The computing device can include a computer, a phone, a server, a website, a tablet, an app, and / or a separate monitor / monitoring device. Based on the data, the computing device can assist and alert the patient and / or the clinician in determining the health of the underlying monitored vessel / tubular structure, including the presence of flow, presence of normal unobstructed blood flow, the presence of turbulent flow, presence of increased structure resistance, or vessel lumen stenosis / thrombosis, and / or the patency of a corresponding anastomosis, stent, or graft near the biosensor 180. The data can be used diagnostically to determine any potential impending compromise to flow, and any need for subsequent interventions to improve flow in the tubular structure 200. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can detect fluid leakage from the tubular structure 200.If there is a leakage, the biosensor 180 can transmit such data to the computing device which can then alert a user of the leakage. A clinician can then address the leakage issue.

[0053] In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be integrated within the external ring 100, 300, and / or can be positioned separately as its own layer between the ring 100, 300 and underlying tubular structure 200 and / or between any underlying anchoring mechanism within the tubular structure 200 and the external ring 100, 300.

[0054] The biosensor 180 can be integrated across an anastomosis by incorporation into both a male 100 and a female 300 component of the ring, or could be positioned on one ring 100, 300.

[0055] In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be in contact with the entire circumference of the ring 100, 300 and tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be in contact with a portion of the ring 100, 300 and / or tubular structure 200.

[0056] The biosensor 180 can be constructed of any suitable biomaterial for sensing purposes, including the possibility of permanent and / or bioresorbable materials.

[0057] The biosensor 180 can utilize sensing technology to measure the desired parameters in the tubular structure 200 and / or leakage from the tubular structure 200. For example, the biosensor 180 can utilize at least one of the following: electrical, optical, optoelectronic, sonic, radiofrequency, impedance, microfluidic, and / or biomedical micro electro-mechanical systems (BioMEMS).

[0058] The disclosures shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous properties and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the examples described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An anastomotic coupler comprising: a female ring having a female receiving portion, the female ring operable to be coupled with a first tubular structure; and a male ring operable to be coupled with a second tubular structure, wherein the male ring is operable to be at least partially received in the female receiving portion of the female ring to couple the first tubular structure with the second tubular structure such that a lumen of the first tubular structure is aligned and in fluid communication with a lumen of the second tubular structure.

2. The anastomotic coupler of claim 1 , wherein the male ring includes a protrusion and the female ring includes a lip.

3. The anastomotic coupler of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is operable to be inserted past the lip when the male ring is received by the female ring to couple the male ring with the female ring.

4. The anastomotic coupler of claim 3, wherein the protrusion is operable to abut against the lip to couple the male ring with the female ring.

5. The anastomotic coupler of claim 1 , wherein the female receiving portion includes a recess that is operable to receive a front end of the male ring.

6. The anastomotic coupler of claim 5, wherein an abutment adjacent to the recess is operable to be received in the male receiving portion.

7. The anastomotic coupler of claim 5, wherein with the recess and the abutment corresponding with the front end and the male receiving portion, the male ring and the female ring are aligned and coupled with one another.

8. The anastomotic coupler of claim 5, wherein with the recess and the abutment corresponding with the front end and the male receiving portion, the male ring andthe female ring are operable to create a seal such that fluid does not leak out of the anastomotic coupler.

9. The anastomotic coupler of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the male ring and / or the female ring have walls that taper.

10. A ring comprising: one or more walls operable to receive a tubular structure; and a biosensor received by the one or more walls, the biosensor operable to detect and / or measure one or more parameters in the tubular structure.11 . The ring of claim 10, wherein the biosensor is operable to wirelessly transmit the detected and / or measured one or more parameters to a computing device.

12. The ring of claim 10, wherein the biosensor is operable to measure leakage from the tubular structure.

13. The ring of claim 10, wherein the biosensor is operable to utilize at least one of the following: electrical, optical, optoelectronic, sonic, radiofrequency, impedance, microfluidic, and / or biomedical micro electro-mechanical systems (BioMEMS).

14. An anastomotic system comprising: a female ring having a female receiving portion and walls that taper, the female ring operable to be receive a first tubular structure; a first cartridge operable to be received in an annulus of the first tubular structure, the first cartridge being operable to engage with the female ring to couple the female ring with the first tubular structure; a male ring operable to receive a second tubular structure; and a second cartridge operable to be received in an annulus of the second tubular structure, the second cartridge being operable to engage with the male ring to couple the male ring with the second tubular structure, wherein the male ring is operable to be at least partially received in the female receiving portion of the female ring to couple the first tubular structure with thesecond tubular structure so that a lumen of the first tubular structure is aligned and in fluid communication with a lumen of the second tubular structure.

15. The anastomotic system of claim 14, wherein the male ring includes a protrusion and the female ring includes a lip.

16. The anastomotic system of claim 15, wherein the protrusion is operable to be inserted past the lip when the male ring is received by the female ring to couple the male ring with the female ring.

17. The anastomotic system of claim 16, wherein the protrusion is operable to abut against the lip to couple the male ring with the female ring.

18. The anastomotic system of claim 14, wherein the female receiving portion includes a recess that is operable to receive a front end of the male ring.

19. The anastomotic system of claim 18, wherein an abutment adjacent to the recess is operable to be received in the male receiving portion.

20. The anastomotic system of claim 18, wherein with the recess and the abutment corresponding with the front end and the male receiving portion, the male ring and the female ring are operable to create a seal such that fluid does not leak from the male ring and the female ring.

Images