Connecting ring for anastomotic coupler

Abstract

An anastomotic coupler is provided. The female ring has a female receptacle. The female ring functions to couple with a first tubular structure. The male ring functions to couple with a second tubular structure. The male ring is at least partially received by the female receptacle of the female ring and functions to couple the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure so that the lumen of the first tubular structure aligns with the lumen of the second tubular structure and allows for fluid communication.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 468,321, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 23, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 579,557, filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 30, 2023, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0002] (Technical Field) The present disclosure generally relates to a connecting ring for an anastomosis coupler for connecting two tubular structures such as blood vessels, esophagus, intestine, lymphatic structures, and / or graft materials.

Background Art

[0003] (Background) An anastomosis is a connection between two luminal structures. Generally, these connections can be made in blood vessels (e.g., vascular anastomosis) or in tubular gastrointestinal structures (e.g., intestine, stomach, esophagus). In the prior art, anastomoses can be achieved 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). The procedures that require these anastomoses are performed thousands of times a day worldwide. Similarly, many surgeons rely on the formation of reliable and unobstructive anastomoses to successfully treat their respective patients.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0004] (Brief Description of the Drawings) Here, the implementation of the present technology will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0005] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a view of the male ring of an anastomosis coupler.

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

[0007] [Figure 1C] Figure 1C illustrates another cross-sectional view of the male ring shown in Figure 1A.

[0008] [Figure 1D] Figure 1D illustrates a front view of the male ring shown in Figure 1A.

[0009] [Figure 2A] Figure 2A illustrates a male ring connected to the first tubular structure.

[0010] [Figure 2B] Figure 2B illustrates a perspective view of a male ring connected to the first tubular structure.

[0011] [Figure 3A] Figure 3A illustrates a female ring for an anastomotic coupler.

[0012] [Figure 3B] Figure 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the female ring shown in Figure 3A.

[0013] [Figure 3C] Figure 3C illustrates another cross-sectional view of the female ring shown in Figure 3A.

[0014] [Figure 3D] Figure 3D illustrates a front view of the female ring shown in Figure 3A.

[0015] [Figure 4A] Figure 4A illustrates a perspective view of a female ring connected to a second tubular structure.

[0016] [Figure 4B] Figure 4B illustrates a side view of a female ring connected to a second tubular structure.

[0017] [Figure 5A]FIG. 5A illustrates a female ring that receives a male ring and joins a first tubular structure and a second tubular structure.

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

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0019] (Detailed Description) For the sake of simplicity and clarity of illustration, it should be understood that reference numerals may be repeated between different drawings to indicate corresponding or similar elements as necessary. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail so as not to obscure the relevant important functions being described. Also, this description should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the examples described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and the ratios of certain components may be exaggerated to better illustrate the details and features of the present disclosure.

[0020] The first techniques for vascular suture anastomosis were developed by Alexis Carrel between 1901 and 1910. For this pioneering work, Carrel was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1912. Despite 100 years of surgical advancements and innovations since its discovery, the majority of vascular anastomoses to date employ suturing techniques similar to Carrel's initial description in the early 1900s. In the 1970s, gastrointestinal stapling devices were introduced, which quickly replaced the primary suturing technique for intestinal anastomoses. However, most surgeons still employ circumferential suturing techniques in the serosal layer over the stapled anastomosis for additional support. While generally successful, these techniques can be time-consuming, often require additional surgical expertise, and, if not performed correctly, can result in leakage (blood, fecal contents, gastric contents, lymph), contraction, stenosis, and / or occlusion at the anastomosis site. In vascular anastomoses, stenosis and / or occlusion can lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral limb ischemia, amputation, death, and reconstructive failure or soft tissue loss. For example, in the context of gastrointestinal anastomoses, these complications can result in extraluminal leakage of gastrointestinal contents, infection, sepsis, obstruction, and death.

[0021] Because the importance of reliable open anastomoses is understood, alternatives to sutures and staples have been used. An example of a vascular anastomosis coupler is described, for example, in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2015 / 0088172 A1 ('172). This coupler has two circular ends with spikes or pins. The vessel is moved through the rings, and the vessel wall is turned outward or folded back to secure the pins, as shown in Figures 2A and 2B of '172. This is achieved at each vessel end, and the two rings are then joined together as shown in Figure 1C of '172, with the spikes / pins being pushed into the opposing rings to join the ends. However, due to the possibility of micro-movement of the vessel and size mismatch with the anastomosis coupler of '172, blood leakage may occur, and / or one of the pins may puncture the vessel wall, resulting in leakage and / or platelet aggregation sites or thrombus (thrombus formation) sites. Similarly, with the anastomotic coupler described in Publication 172, in the case of vessels with thick walls and low elasticity, especially arteries, turning the edges of the vessels inside out can be quite difficult, potentially causing trauma to the vessel wall (intima) and / or stenosis during anastomosis, both of which can later lead to platelet aggregation, turbulence, and / or thrombosis that impede blood flow. In addition, the technique described in Publication 172 requires additional specialized equipment (surgical microscope, high-magnification loupe) when used. In the case of gastrointestinal staple anastomosis, many procedures are performed either side-to-side, where intestinal smooth muscle propels fecal contents through a non-natural pathway (e.g., non-longitudinal flow along the length of the intestine), or end-to-end, which requires separate, distant access incisions spanning the entire thickness of the intestinal wall for placement, resulting in a secondary weakness of potential leakage or adhesion formation.

[0022] Referring here to Figure 1A, a male ring 100 for an anastomotic coupler is shown. The anastomotic coupler is provided to form a connection between adjacent tubular structures 12. The tubular structures 200 may include blood vessels, grafts, prostheses, gastrointestinal structures, esophagi, lymphatic vessels, and / or other suitable passages in the body or surgery through which the tubular structures 200 are formed. The tubular structures 200 form a lumen 204 through which substances, such as blood, food, bodily fluids, and / or cells, can pass.

[0023] The anastomotic coupler comprises a male ring 100 and a female ring 300 (illustrated in Figures 3A to 4B). The male ring 100 comprises a body 102 that forms an opening 104. The male ring 100 functions to receive a tubular structure 200 through the opening 104. The male ring 100 illustrated in Figure 1A has a substantially circular shape, but the male ring 100 can have any suitable shape such as a rectangle, triangle, octagon, hexagon, and / or ellipse. In addition, the male ring 100 illustrated in Figure 1A is, in some examples, a single solid part for ease of attachment or for manufacturing purposes, and the male ring 100 may comprise two semicircular or arc-shaped parts connected around the tubular structure 200. In other examples, the male ring 100 may comprise multiple parts that can be connected so that the male ring 100 can receive a tubular structure 200 therein.

[0024] The male ring 100 may comprise a front end 1020 and a rear end 1022 opposite to the front end 1020. The front end 1020 may function to be inserted into and / or received by the female ring 300 (as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B). The male ring 100 may comprise a projection 106 extending 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 may have a radius 106R of about 0.1 millimeters.

[0025] The size of the male ring 100 and the size of the lumen 104 of the male ring 100 can vary depending on the application and the size of the tubular structure 200. For example, the diameter of the lumen 104 may range from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) (e.g., for lymphatic vessel connections) to about 60 millimeters (e.g., for gastrointestinal tract connections). The diameter range of the male ring 100 and the diameter range of the tubular structure 200 allows for the selection of an appropriate male ring 100 by measuring the inner diameter of the tubular structure 200. This can be achieved, for example, using an intraluminal measurement guide / device. If there is a large size mismatch (1 mm or more) between the tubular structure 200 and the male ring 100, the size can be gradually changed in any direction to accommodate the size difference using a short cylindrical tube connector with corresponding male and female ends. For example, a tapered cylindrical tube can be provided in which one end is 1mm to 2mm larger / smaller than the other end, making it possible to connect a 1mm blood vessel with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm blood vessel without problems during microscopic surgery, and vice versa.

[0026] The male ring 100 may include a male receptacle 108 formed as part of the lumen 104. In at least one example, the male receptacle 108 may be formed adjacent to the front end 1020 of the main body 102. The male receptacle 108 may be in the form of a notch or recess. The male receptacle 108 may have a width 108W of about 0.3 mm to about 1.0 mm. In some examples, the width 108W may be about 0.4 mm to about 0.7 mm. In some examples, the width 108W may be about 0.5 mm. The width 108W may vary depending on the dimensions and / or shape of the tubular structure 200. The lumen 104 may have a tapered wall 110 such that the diameter of the lumen 104 tapers at an angle from the front diameter 1040D at the end of the male receiving portion 108 near the front end 1020 of the main body 102 to the rear diameter 1042D at the rear end 1022 of the main body 102. The wall 110 may function to abut and / or be in close proximity to the outer wall or outer surface of the tubular structure.

[0027] The wall 110 of the lumen 104 may be tapered at an angle 110A of approximately 2° to approximately 8°. In some examples, the wall 110 may be tapered at an angle 110A of approximately 3° to approximately 6°. In some examples, the wall 110 may be tapered at an angle 110A of approximately 4° to approximately 5°. In some examples, the wall 110 may be tapered at an angle 110A of approximately 4.46°. The angle 110A of the taper can vary depending on the size and / or shape of the tubular structure 200, and / or the size, shape, and / or angle of the fastener 22. The taper can form a seal with the tubular structure 200 and provide tensile strength.

[0028] Figures 1C and 1D show examples of the dimensions of the male ring 100 in millimeters. Dimensions are measured from the origin 0 and at different intervals. Dimensions can vary and / or be enlarged / reduced depending on the size of the tubular structure 200.

[0029] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a male ring 100 connected to a tubular structure 200. The tubular structure 200 may include a wall 202 that forms a lumen 204.

[0030] The anastomotic coupler may comprise a cartridge 20 that functions to be housed within the lumen 204 of a tubular structure 200. The cartridge 20 may comprise one or more fasteners 22 that function to engage with a male ring 100 by at least partially penetrating the wall 202 of the tubular structure 200, thereby connecting the male ring 100 to the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fasteners 22 may extend from the cartridge 20 at an angle. In some examples, the fasteners 22 may function to penetrate the wall 110 of the male ring 100.

[0031] In at least one example, the wall 110 functions to press the fastener 22 extending from the tubular structure 200 against the outer surface of the wall 202 of the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fastener 22 does not need to penetrate the wall 110 of the male ring 100.

[0032] The lumen 204 of the tubular structure 200 can be aligned with and / or in fluid communication with the lumen 104 of the male ring 100, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the lumen 204 of the tubular structure 200 and the lumen 104 of the male ring 100.

[0033] The male ring 100 and / or cartridge 20 may be formed from a mechanically suitable material that is approved for use in the human or animal body and has sufficient strength. For example, the following materials may be used alone or in any combination: metals, especially titanium or stainless steel (including special alloys used in implants and medical devices), nitinol, carbon materials including carbon fiber mesh, soft plastics, e.g., silicone, hard plastics, e.g., Teflon, ceramic materials, and / or bioabsorbable materials. The male ring 100 and / or cartridge 20 may be provided with a coating and / or structure, all or in part, to prevent or at least reduce the adhesion of blood components. Such a coating may consist of a material that smooths the surface. In at least one example, the coating may also include an antithrombotic agent (e.g., heparin).

[0034] The above process of connecting the male ring 100 and the tubular structure 200 can be repeated with the second tubular structure 200 and the female ring 300. Figures 3A to 4B illustrate the female ring 300. Similar to the male ring 100 described above, the female ring 300 has an opening 304 that functions to receive the tubular structure 200, and a tapered wall 310 at an angle 310A. The wall 310 can function to abut against and / or be close to the outer wall or outer surface of the tubular structure.

[0035] The female ring 300 comprises a body 302 that forms an opening 304. The female ring 300 functions to receive the tubular structure 200 through the opening 304. The female ring 300 illustrated in Figure 1A has a substantially circular shape, but the female ring 300 can have any suitable shape such as a rectangle, triangle, octagon, hexagon, and / or ellipse. In addition, the female ring 300 illustrated in Figure 1A is a single solid part, and in some examples, for ease of mounting or for manufacturing purposes, the female ring 300 may comprise two semicircular or arc-shaped parts connected around the tubular structure 200. In other examples, the female ring 300 may comprise multiple parts that can be connected so that the female ring 300 can receive the tubular structure 200 therein.

[0036] The female ring 300 may have a front end 3020 and a rear end 3022 opposite to the front end 3020. The front end 3020 can function to receive the male ring 100 (as illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B).

[0037] The size of the female ring 300 and the size of the lumen 304 of the female ring 300 can vary depending on the application and the size of the tubular structure 200. For example, the diameter of the lumen 304 can vary from about 0.5 millimeters (mm) (e.g., for lymphatic vessel connections) to about 60 millimeters (e.g., for gastrointestinal tract connections). Depending on the diameter range of the female ring 300 and the diameter range of the tubular structure 200, the appropriate female ring 300 can be selected by measuring the inner diameter of the tubular structure 200. This can be achieved, for example, using an intraluminal measurement guide / device. If there is a large size mismatch (1 mm or more) between the tubular structure 200 and the female ring 300, the size can be gradually changed in any direction to accommodate the size difference using a short cylindrical tube connector with corresponding male and female ends. For example, a tapered cylindrical tube can be provided in which one end is 1mm to 2mm larger / smaller than the other end, making it possible to connect a 1mm blood vessel with a 2.5mm to 3.5mm blood vessel without problems during microsurgical procedures, and vice versa.

[0038] The female ring 300 may include a female receiving portion 3040 formed as part of the lumen 304. In at least one example, the female receiving portion 3040 may be formed adjacent to the front end portion 3020 of the main body 302. The female receiving portion 3040 may be in the form of a notch or recess. The female receiving portion 3040 may have a lip 306 extending into the female receiving portion 3040. The lip 306 can be made to correspond to the projection 106 such that the projection 106 extends past the lip 306 when the male ring 100 is received in the female receiving portion 3040. When the projection 106 is inserted through the lip 306, the contact between the projection 106 and the lip 306 connects the male ring 100 and the female ring 300. Thus, the lip 306 and the projection 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 functions to receive the front end portion 1020 of the male ring 100. A contact portion 308 adjacent to the recess 3082 functions to be received by the female receiving portion 108. The recess 3082 corresponding to the front end portion 1020 and the contact portion 308 corresponding to the male receiving portion 108 cause the male ring 100 and the female ring 300 to be aligned and coupled to each other. The recess 3082 corresponding to the front end portion 1020 and the contact portion 308 corresponding to the male receiving portion 108 cause the male ring 100 and the female ring 300 to form a seal to prevent fluid leakage from the anastomosis coupler. The male ring 100 and the female ring 300 are joined to each other by compression to form a seal and prevent leakage.

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

[0041] The wall 330 of the lumen 304 can be tapered at an angle 330A of approximately 2 to 8 degrees. In some examples, the wall 330 can be tapered at an angle 330A of approximately 3 to 6 degrees. In some examples, the wall 330 can be tapered at an angle 330A of approximately 4 to 5 degrees. In some examples, the wall 330 can be tapered at an angle 330A of approximately 4.46 degrees. The taper angle 330A can vary depending on the size and / or shape of the tubular structure 200, and / or the size, shape, and / or angle of the fastener 22.

[0042] Figures 3C and 3D show examples of the dimensions of the female ring 300 in millimeters. Dimensions are measured from the origin 0 and at different intervals. Dimensions can vary and / or be enlarged / reduced depending on the size of the tubular structure 200.

[0043] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a female ring 300 connected to a tubular structure 200. The tubular structure 200 may include a wall 202 that forms a lumen 204.

[0044] The anastomotic coupler may comprise a cartridge 20 that functions to be received within the lumen 204 of a tubular structure 200. The cartridge 20 may comprise one or more fasteners 22 that function to penetrate the wall 202 of the tubular structure 200 and engage with a female ring 300, thereby connecting the female ring 300 to the tubular structure 200. In at least one example, the fasteners 22 may extend from the cartridge 20 at an angle. In some examples, the fasteners 22 may function to penetrate the wall 330 of the female ring 300.

[0045] In at least one example, the wall 330 functions to press the fastener 22 extending from the tubular structure 200 against the outer surface of the wall 202 of the tubular structure 200. The fastener 22 does not necessarily have to penetrate the wall 330 of the female ring 300.

[0046] The lumen 204 of the tubular structure 200 can be aligned with and / or in fluid communication with the lumen 304 of the female ring 300, thereby allowing fluid to flow between the lumen 204 of the tubular structure 200 and the lumen 304 of the female ring 300.

[0047] The female ring 300 and / or cartridge 20 may be formed from mechanically suitable materials that are approved for use in the human or animal body and have sufficient strength. For example, the following materials may be used alone or in any combination: metals, especially titanium or stainless steel (including special alloys used in implants and medical devices), nitinol, carbon materials including carbon fiber mesh, soft plastics, e.g., silicone, hard plastics, e.g., Teflon, ceramic materials, and / or bioabsorbable materials. The female ring 300 and / or cartridge 20 may be provided with coatings and / or structures, either entirely or partially. In some examples, the coatings and / or structures may function to prevent or at least reduce the adhesion of blood components. Such coatings may consist of materials that smooth the surface. In at least one example, the coating may also include an antithrombotic agent (e.g., heparin, hydrophilic coating, etc.). In some examples, the coatings and / or structures may function to prevent scarring and / or adhesion. In some examples, the coatings and / or structures may have other beneficial properties that aid in anastomosis.

[0048] As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, the male ring 100 is received by the female receiving portion 3040 of the female ring 300, thereby connecting the male ring 100 and the female ring 300, and the two tubular structures 200 are connected so that the lumens 204 of the two tubular structures 200 are in fluid communication. In some examples, the rings 100 and 300 can be connected to each other by fasteners, snap fasteners, clamps, stent placement, basting, pinning, loops and hooks, adhesives, and / or other connection methods, provided that the rings 300 are securely joined to each other.

[0049] As illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B, when rings 100 and 300 are joined together, the lumens 204 of the two tubular structures 200 align with each other and establish fluid communication. In at least one example, the rings 100 and 300 can form a seal to prevent fluid leakage. Thus, the anastomotic coupler provides a more reliable, faster, and safer anastomotic device that forms a sealed, leak-proof communication connection between the ends of the tubular structures 200, allowing lumen contents (e.g., blood, lymph, bodily fluids, fecal contents, gastric contents, etc.) to flow through the connection / anastomosis in an unobstructed, "stented" manner. This connection may be strong enough to withstand the tension, tensile forces, and high flow pressures that may occur due to distal occlusion.

[0050] In at least one example, the male ring 100 and / or female ring 300 may include a biosensor 180 that functions to detect and / or measure parameters of the tubular structure 200, such as fluid flow.

[0051] In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be used in a male ring 100 and / or female ring 300 that can be coupled to a tubular structure 200 via a cartridge 20 as described above. 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 sutures, adhesives, or compression, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can function to detect and / or measure parameters via a stent, an intact blood vessel, a suture, anastomosis, etc.

[0052] The biosensor 180 may include a wireless bioelectronic sensor. The biosensor 180 can be positioned along a ring (for example, a ring that can be positioned around a male ring 100, a female ring 300, and / or a tubular structure 200). In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be positioned along and / or within the inner diameter of the ring. In at least one example, the biosensor 180 may be within the wall of the ring. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be incorporated into the wall of the ring, either close to or exposed from the end of the ring. In some examples, the biosensor 180 can be exposed from the wall of the ring so that it can directly contact the tubular structure 200 when the ring is in contact with the tubular structure 200. Thus, when the ring is in direct contact with the tubular structure 200, the biosensor 180 can identify and record parameters in real time. For example, the parameters to be measured may include, but are not limited to, the presence or absence of flow, the flow velocity through the ring and / or tubular structure 200, the oxygen saturation of blood / body fluid within the tubular structure 200, hemoglobin concentration, turbulence, flow waveform, pulsation, pressure within the structure, and novel biological markers of ischemia and / or thrombosis. Data corresponding to the parameters measured by the biosensor 180 can be wirelessly transmitted from the rings 100 and 300 to a computing device (e.g., a computer, telephone, server, etc.) for diagnostic monitoring purposes. In some examples, data can be transmitted continuously from the rings 100 and 300 to the computing device. The computing device may include a computer, telephone, server, website, tablet, app, and / or remote monitoring / monitoring device. Based on the data, the computing device can assist and inform the patient and / or clinician in determining the health of the underlying monitored vascular / tubular structure, including the presence of flow, normal and unimpeded blood flow, turbulence, increased structural resistance, or stenosis / thrombosis of the vascular lumen, and / or patency of the corresponding anastomosis, stent, or graft near the biosensor 180. This data can be used for diagnosis to determine potential and imminent flow reduction and the need for subsequent intervention to improve flow within the tubular structure 200.In some cases, the biosensor 180 can detect fluid leakage from the tubular structure 200. If a leak is present, the biosensor 180 can transmit such data to a computing device, which can then notify the user of the leak. The clinician can then address the leak problem.

[0053] In at least one example, the biosensor 180 can be incorporated into the outer rings 100, 300 and / or can be positioned separately as its own layer between the rings 100, 300 and the underlying tubular structure 200, and / or between any lower fixing mechanism within the tubular structure 200 and the outer rings 100, 300.

[0054] The biosensor 180 can be incorporated across the anastomosis by being integrated into both the male component 100 and the female component 300 of the ring, or it can be placed in a single ring 100, 300.

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

[0056] The biosensor 180 can be constructed from any biomaterial suitable for the detection purpose, including the possibility of permanent materials and / or bioabsorbable materials.

[0057] The biosensor 180 can use detection techniques to measure desired parameters of a 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, acoustic, radio frequency, impedance, microfluidics, and / or biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS).

[0058] The above disclosures are merely examples. While many characteristics and advantages of this technology, along with structural and functional details, have been described above, this disclosure is only an example, and modifications to the details, particularly with respect to the shape, size, and arrangement of components included in the principles of this disclosure, are permitted to the maximum extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the appended claims. Therefore, it should be understood that the above examples can be modified within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A female ring having a female receptacle that functions to connect to a first tubular structure; and A male ring that functions to connect to a second tubular structure. An anastomotic coupler comprising, The anastomotic coupler, wherein the male ring is at least partially received in the female receiving portion of the female ring, and connects the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure so that the lumen of the first tubular structure aligns with the lumen of the second tubular structure and functions to enable fluid communication.

2. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 1, wherein the male ring has a protrusion and the female ring has a lip.

3. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 2, wherein when the male ring is received by the female ring, the projection is inserted beyond the lip to function in connecting the male ring and the female ring.

4. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion functions to abut against the lip and connect the male ring and the female ring.

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

6. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 5, wherein the contact portion adjacent to the recess functions to be received by the male receiving portion.

7. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 5, wherein when the recess coincides with the front end and the contact portion coincides with the male receiving portion, the male ring and the female ring are aligned and coupled to each other.

8. The anastomosis coupler according to claim 5, wherein when the recess coincides with the front end and the contact portion coincides with the male receiving portion, the male ring and the female ring function to form a seal so as not to leak fluid from the anastomosis coupler.

9. The anastomotic coupler according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the male ring and / or the female ring has a tapered wall.

10. One or more walls that function to accommodate a tubular structure; and A biosensor received in one or more walls of the tubular structure, which functions to detect and / or measure one or more parameters of the tubular structure. A ring equipped with [a specific feature / feature].

11. The ring according to claim 10, wherein the biosensor functions to wirelessly transmit one or more detected and / or measured parameters to a computing device.

12. The ring according to claim 10, wherein the biosensor functions to measure leakage from the tubular structure.

13. The ring according to claim 10, wherein the biosensor functions to utilize at least one of the following: electrical, optical, optoelectronic, sound wave, radio frequency, impedance, microfluidics, and / or biomedical microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS).

14. A female ring having a female receiving portion and a tapered wall, which functions to receive a first tubular structure; A first cartridge that functions to be received in the lumen of the first tubular structure, the first cartridge that functions to engage with the female ring and connect the female ring to the first tubular structure; A male ring that functions to receive a second tubular structure; and A second cartridge that functions to be received in the lumen of the second tubular structure, the second cartridge that functions to engage with the male ring and connect the male ring to the second tubular structure, An anastomosis system comprising, The anastomosis system, wherein the male ring is at least partially received in the female receptacle of the female ring, and connects the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure so that the lumen of the first tubular structure aligns with the lumen of the second tubular structure and functions to allow fluid communication.

15. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein the male ring has a protrusion and the female ring has a lip.

16. The anastomosis system according to claim 15, wherein when the male ring is received by the female ring, the projection is inserted beyond the lip to function in connecting the male ring and the female ring.

17. The anastomosis system according to claim 16, wherein the projection functions to abut against the lip and connect the male ring and the female ring.

18. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein the female receiving portion includes a recess that functions to receive the front end of the male ring.

19. The anastomosis system according to claim 18, wherein the contact portion adjacent to the recess functions to be received by the male receptacle.

20. The anastomosis system according to claim 18, wherein when the recess coincides with the front end and the contact portion coincides with the male receiving portion, the male ring and the female ring function to form a seal so as not to leak fluid from the male ring and the female ring.

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