Means and method for performing an anastomosis

• US 6,652,543 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC (Getinge AB)
• Original Assignee: Origin Medsystems Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Williamson, Warren P. IV, Spence, Paul A., Christakis, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US09/892,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20010039424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 882 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/153
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1152 applying the staples on the outside of the lumen
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections Y-shaped blood vessel prostheses A61F2002/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1139 Side-to-side connections, e.g. shunt or X-connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/903 Blood vessel

Abstract

An anastomosis is performed using a mounting structure mounted on the outside of at least one vessel. The mounting structure includes a flexible mounting structure that is attached to the vessel by a special instrument. A graft vessel is attached to the mounting structure either directly or by means of another mounting structure attached to the graft vessel. Tools for attaching a mounting structure to a vessel are disclosed, and a tool for attaching two mounting structures together is also disclosed. Methods for carrying out the anastomosis according to the invention are also disclosed.

Claims

1. For use in connecting a first vessel to a second vessel, each vessel being incised and having an exposed interior surface, an anastomotic device comprising:

means for placing the exposed interior surface of the first vessel in abutting contact with the exposed interior surface of the second vessel so the vessels heal together at the abutting interior surfaces thereof;

a stiffening framework, said framework being formed of deformable material which causes said framework to remain in a second configuration after being deformed from a first configuration;

means on said framework for attaching the framework to outside surfaces of both the first and second vessels, said framework holding the interior surfaces of the first and second vessels in a first orientation when the framework is in one configuration and causing the interior surfaces of the first and second vessels to be in healing contact with each other when the framework is in a second configuration.

2. The anastomotic device defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second vessels are in side-to-side contact with each other.

3. The anastomotic device defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second vessels are in end-to-side contact with each other.

4. The anastomotic device in claim 1 further including means for defining a blood flow passage in the first of said vessels for maintaining blood flow in the first vessel while the interior surface of the first vessel is being placed in abutting contact with the interior surface of the second vessel.

5. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said means for placing the interior surfaces of the first and second vessels in abutting contact includes means for moving the vessels towards each other.

6. The device defined in claim 5 wherein said means for moving the vessels toward each other includes a malleable bridge.

7. A method of performing an anastomosis comprising:

A) defining an incision in a first vessel to provide an exposed interior vessel surface;

B) defining an incision in a second vessel to provide an exposed interior vessel surface;

C) positioning a mounting structure on the first vessel adjacent to the incision in the first vessel so that the inner edge of the first vessel adjacent to the incision therein is spaced from an inner edge of the mounting structure;

D) fastening the mounting structure to the first vessel;

E) positioning the second vessel adjacent to the mounting structure so that an inner edge of the second vessel adjacent to the incision therein is spaced from an inner edge of the mounting structure;

F) fastening the mounting structure to the second vessel; and

G) shaping the fastened mounting structure to define a desired flow area between the first and second vessels.

8. The method defined in claim 7 further including bringing the exposed interior surfaces of the first and second vessels into abutting contact with each other prior to said shaping step.