BLOOD VESSEL CONNECTORS AND METHODS FOR BLOOD VESSEL CONNECTION

• US 20140364882A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 12/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Amt Medical B.V.
• Original Assignee: AMJ, BV
• Inventors: Tulleken, Cornelis Antonius Franciscus, Van Thoor, Alexander Cornelis Elisabeth, Stecher, David, Noest, Jappe Onno Tunnis, Beck, Hendricus Jacobus Mansvelt, Bronkers, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US14/369,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20140364882A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/083 Clips, e.g. resilient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1103 Approximator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1121 adapted for performing tissue or graft eversion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1132 End-to-end connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an apparatus comprising a clip which includes a first side including a first ring configured to pass over an end of a first vessel, the first ring configured to engage the first side with the first vessel, and a second side coupled to the first side, the second side including a second ring configured to pass over an end of a second vessel, the second ring being configured to engage the second side with the second vessel. The first and second sides, when in a closed position, are configured to maintain the first and second vessels in substantially end-to-end contact.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a clip including:

a first side including a first ring configured to pass over an end of a first vessel, the first ring configured to engage the first side with the first vessel; and

a second side coupled to the first side, the second side including a second ring configured to pass over an end of a second vessel, the second ring configured to engage the second side with the second vessel, the first and second sides, when in a closed position, being configured to maintain the first and second vessels in substantially end-to-end contact.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second side of the clip is hinged to the first side of the clip.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second sides are biased to a closed position.

4. The apparatus of any ones of claim 1, wherein the first or second ring is configured to engage the respective first or second side of the clip to a folded-over portion of the respective first or second vessel end.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first or second side of the clip includes respective first or second attachment features configured to attach the first or second side of the clip with the first or second vessel.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first or second attachment features include points configured to puncture a wall of the respective first or second vessel, thereby to attach the first or second side of the clip with the respective first or second vessel.

7. The apparatus of e claim 1, wherein the first side of the clip and the second side of the clip are hinged to each other to be movable between the closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position the first ring and second ring are arranged mutually parallel, wherein in the open position the first ring and second ring are arranged at an angle with respect to each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the clip comprises a biasing mechanism biasing the first and second side of the clip to the closed position.

9. A method for facilitating connection of first and second vessels, the method comprising:

obtaining a clip including;

a first side including a first ring configured to pass over an end of the first vessel, the first ring configured to engage the first side with the first vessel, and

a second side coupled to the first side, the second side including a second ring configured to pass over an end of the second vessel, the second ring configured to attach the second side with the second vessel;

passing the first ring over the end of the first vessel;

passing the second ring over the end of the second vessel; and

closing the sides of the clip to bring the first and second vessels in substantially end-to-end contact.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

folding a portion of the end of the first or second vessel over the first or second ring; and

attaching the first or second ring to the folded-over portion of the first or second end, respectively.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first or second side of the clip includes respective first or second attachment features, the first or second attachment features including points configured to puncture a wall of the first or second vessel.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the wall is a wall of the first or second folded-over portion, and wherein the method further comprises inserting the points into the wall to attach the first or second ring to the folded-over portion of the first or second vessel end, respectively.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second sides of the clip are biased to a closed position, and wherein the method further comprises closing the sides of the clip to maintain the first and second vessels in substantially end-to-end contact.

14. An apparatus comprising a clip including:

a first side including a first attachment portion configured to engage a side wall of a first vessel; and

a second side coupled to the first side, the second side including a second attachment portion configured to engage a side wall or an end of a second vessel, the first and second sides, when in a closed position, being configured to maintain the first and second vessels in side-to-side contact, or in side-to-end contact, respectively.

15. The apparatus of claim 14,

wherein the first side of the clip and the second side of the clip are movable with respect to each other between the closed position and an open position,

wherein in the closed position the first attachment portion and second attachment portion are arranged mutually parallel,

wherein in the open position the first attachment portion and second attachment portion are arranged at an angle with respect to each other.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second sides are biased to the closed position.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the clip comprises a biasing mechanism biasing the first and second side of the clip to the closed position.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first or second attachment portion includes at least one fork or point configured to puncture the side wall or end of the respective first or second vessel, thereby to engage the first or second side of the clip with the side wall or end of the respective first or second vessel.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first or second attachment portion includes a pair of forks for insertion into the side wall of the first or second vessel.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the pair of forks defines an outline that stretches or supports a portion of the side wall disposed between the inserted forks.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the fork is a two-prong fork.

22. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a first fork with two prongs, and wherein the second attachment portion comprises second fork with two prongs.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each fork has a curved section where the prongs are outwardly curved with respect to each other.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein, in the closed position, the curved sections of the first and second fork are nested into each other.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein each fork has a rectilinear section where the prongs are substantially parallel to each other.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, in the closed position, the rectilinear sections of the forks are nested into each other.

27. The apparatus of claim 21,

wherein the prongs of the fork have a pointed distal end to puncture a vessel, and

wherein the fork has a first prong section, a second prong section arranged between the first prong section and the distal ends of the prongs, and a third prong section, which is arranged between the second prong section and the distal ends of the prongs and extends up to the distal ends of the prongs,

wherein the distance between the prongs is, in the second section, smaller than in the first section, and

wherein in the third prong section, viewed in the direction of the distal ends, the prongs diverge with respect to each other.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the distance between the distal ends of the prongs corresponds to the maximum distance between the prongs in the first section.

29. The apparatus of claim 14,

wherein the first attachment portion includes a first loop having a first leg, a second leg and a reverse bend connecting the first and second leg and extending 180°

,

wherein the first leg extends from an end of the loop coupled to the second side to the reverse bend, and

wherein the second leg extends from the reverse bend to a free end of the loop which is pointed to puncture a vessel.

30. The apparatus of claims 29,

wherein the second attachment portion includes a second loop having a first leg, a second leg and a reverse bend connecting the first and second leg and extending 180°

,

wherein the first leg extends from an end of the loop coupled to the second side to the reverse bend, and

wherein the second leg extends from the reverse bend to a free end of the loop which is pointed to puncture a vessel.

31. Apparatus of claim 30, wherein, in the closed position, the first and second loop are nested into each other.

32-46. -46. (canceled)