Method and apparatus for connecting and closing severed blood vessels

• US 5,234,448 A
• Filed: 02/28/1992
• Issued: 08/10/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Shadyside Hospital
• Original Assignee: Shadyside Hospital
• Inventors: Novogradac, deceased, William E., Wholey, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/843,384
• Time in Patent Office: 529 Days
• Field of Search: 606/152-157, 606/213, 606/215, 606/216, 24/460, 24/339, 24/483, 24/484, 24/572, 24/313, 24/314, 24/320, 24/572, 24/578, 24/579.1, 24/588, 29/507, 285/258, 285/370, 285/397 X
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/064 with special features to facilitate anastomotic coupling anastomosis of natural blood vessels A61B17/11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs

Abstract

A device for closing or connecting blood vessels has a plurality of micro miniature barb which pierce the wall of the blood vessel and anchor the device in place. In one embodiment the fastener is comprised of a male member and a female member which are fastened to blood vessel segments with the micro miniature barbs. The male and female members are joined together by inserting the male member into the female member to form a permanent coupling. The device can also be used for opening a blood vessel which has been narrowed by disease or trauma.

Claims

1. A closure for blood vessel openings comprised of a ring having opposite faces each face having an outer surface, the ring being sized and adapted to conform to splayed ends of a blood vessel, each face having a plurality of barbs attached to the outer surface of each face, the barbs sized and configured to pierce and anchor in a blood vessel wall.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the barbs extend 50 μ

m to 100 μ

m from each outer surface.

3. The micro fastener of claim 1 wherein the barbs contain a passageway through which a fluid may flow from a reservoir.

4. A method of a closing and connecting blood vessel segments comprised of the steps of:

a. rolling a closure around a balloon portion of a balloon catheter, the closure comprised of a sheet having an inner surface and an outer surface, the sheet being adapted to conform to a wall of a blood vessel and a plurality of barbs attached to the outer surface, the barbs sized and configured to pierce and anchor in a blood vessel wall;

b. inserting the rolled closure into a blood vessel to a desired position adjacent a blood vessel incision; and

c. expanding the balloon portion of the balloon catheter thereby causing the closure to unroll and anchor in an inner wall portion of the blood vessel to make at least one of a closure and a connection of blood vessel segments.

5. A method of a closing and connecting blood vessel segments comprised of the steps of:

a. compressing a closure to a diameter smaller than a blood vessel inner diameter, the closure having an inner surface and an outer surface the closure being adapted to conform to a wall of a blood vessel and a plurality of barbs attached to the outer surface, the barbs sized and configured to pierce and anchor in a blood vessel wall;

b. inserting the compressed closure into a blood vessel to a desired position adjacent a blood vessel incision; and

c. allowing the closure to expand thereby causing the closure to anchor in an inner wall portion of the blood vessel to make at least one of a closure and connection of blood vessel segments.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the closure is ring shaped and also comprising the steps of:

a. positioning a balloon catheter within the ringshaped closure; and

b. expanding the balloon portion of the balloon catheter thereby causing the closure to expand and anchor in an inner wall portion of the blood vessel to make at least one of a closure and a connection of blood vessel segments.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the closure is comprised of a female member and a male member each having an outer surface portion having a plurality of said barbs, the female member and male member being separately rolled, inserted and expanded.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the closure is comprised of a female member and a male member each having an outer surface portion having a plurality of said barbs, the female member and male member being separately compressed, inserted and expanded.

9. A method of connecting blood vessel segments comprised of the steps of:

a. splaying ends of the blood vessel segments; and

b. pressing the splayed ends against opposite faces of a ring sized to receive the splayed ends, the faces having a plurality of barbs, the barbs sized and configured to pierce and anchor in a blood vessel wall.

10. A method of opening a portion of a blood vessel which has been narrowed by disease or trauma comprising the steps of:

a. compressing a collar to a diameter smaller than a blood vessel inner diameter, the collar having an inner surface and an outer surface the collar being adapted to conform to a wall of a blood vessel and a plurality of barbs attached to the outer surface, the barbs sized and configured to pierce and anchor in a blood vessel wall;

b. inserting the compressed collar into a blood vessel to a desired position within a narrowed portion of a blood vessel; and

c. allowing the collar to expand thereby causing the collar to anchor in an inner wall portion of the blood vessel to provide lumen through the narrowed portion.