Anastomosis System with Cutting Element

• US 20070233163A1
• Filed: 05/31/2007
• Published: 10/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (Lonza Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Cardica Incorporated
• Inventors: Knodel, Bryan, Hendricksen, Michael, Donohoe, Brendan, Nielsen, James, Vargas, Jaime, Bender, Theodore, Bombard, David, Hausen, Bernard, Yencho, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US11/756,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233163A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1152 applying the staples on the outside of the lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00243 cardiac
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/037 with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/064 with special features to facilitate anastomotic coupling anastomosis of natural blood vessels A61B17/11

Abstract

A surgical tool for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include an anvil; a cutting element connected to the anvil; and an energy source connected to the cutting element, wherein the energy source is configured to deliver energy to the cutting element. A method for performing anastomosis with that tool may include placing an end of the graft vessel against a side of the target vessel; creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel at a first location; inserting an anvil through the opening from outside the wall of the target vessel into the lumen of the target vessel; creating an incision in the wall of the target vessel spaced apart from the first location; and connecting the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Claims

1. A surgical tool for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, comprising:

an anvil;

a cutting element connected to said anvil; and

an energy source connected to said cutting element, wherein said energy source is configured to deliver energy to said cutting element.

2. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said cutting element is configured to vibrate upon delivery of energy thereto.

3. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said cutting element further comprises an emitter connected to said energy source.

4. The surgical tool of claim 3, wherein said emitter is configured to emit laser energy upon delivery of energy thereto.

5. The surgical tool of claim 3, wherein said emitter is configured to emit radio frequency energy upon delivery of energy thereto.

6. The surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said cutting element is movably connected to said anvil.

7. The surgical tool of claim 6, wherein said anvil includes a channel defined therein, wherein said cutting element is movable within and along said channel.

8. The surgical tool of claim 7, wherein said cutting element includes at least one projection extending generally upward.

9. The surgical tool of claim 8, wherein at least one said projection is movable upward, then along, then downward relative to said channel.

10. A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each vessel having a lumen therein, comprising:

placing an end of the graft vessel against a side of the target vessel;

creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel at a first location;

inserting an anvil through the opening from outside the wall of the target vessel into the lumen of the target vessel;

creating an incision in the wall of the target vessel, the incision spaced apart from the first location; and

connecting the graft vessel to the target vessel.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said creating an incision is performed by translating a cutting element relative to said anvil.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said placing an end of the graft vessel against a side of the target vessel defines a closed area on the side of the target vessel, and said incising is performed by controlling said cutting element to position said incision entirely within the closed area.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said controlling is performed by biasing said cutting element upward and providing at least one control element on the upper surface of said cutting element.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said controlling is performed by biasing said cutting element downward and providing at least one control element on the lower surface of said cutting element.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said anvil includes a channel defined therein, and wherein at least part of said translating comprises translating at least part of said cutting element within and along said channel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said cutting element includes at least one projection extending generally upward;

further comprises moving said projection to a position completely within said channel after said creating an incision.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein said creating an incision is performed outward from the lumen of the target vessel through the wall of the target vessel.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein said creating an incision is performed by delivering energy from said cutting element to the wall of the target vessel.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said delivering energy comprises delivering ultrasonic energy.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein said delivering energy comprises delivering laser energy.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said delivering energy comprises delivering radio frequency energy.