Mechanical anastomosis system for hollow structures

• US 7,022,127 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2003
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Innovative Interventional Technologies BV
• Original Assignee: Innovative Interventional Technologies BV
• Inventors: Suyker, Wilhelmus Joseph Leonardus, Suyker, Paulus Thomas Wilhelmus
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/405,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20030195534A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 606/153
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• 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 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 227/901 Surgical clip appliers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/902 Surgical clips or staples

Abstract

A system for making anastomoses between hollow structures by mechanical means is provided with a device in the shape of an annular or tubular element comprising circumferentially provided means, such as pin-shaped elements, for joining the abutting walls of the hollow structures together. An applicator is intended for moving said annular or tubular element in position and activating the joining means thereof, so as to make the anastomosis. Possibly, intraluminal joining means can be inserted without using an annular or tubular element.

Claims

1. A system for connecting a first hollow structure to a second hollow structure, comprising:

a connector including an annular or tubular element that is expandable from a first diameter to a second, larger diameter, and at least two deformable outer elements extending from the annular or tubular element; and

an applicator having a proximal end;

a distal end;

a longitudinal axis;

a movable element movable between at least a first position and a second position, the movable element configured to expand the connector from the first diameter to the second diameter when the connector is associated with the applicator when the movable element is moved from the first position to the second position; and

a sleeve at least partially disposed about the movable element of the applicator, said sleeve being movable between a first position and a second position whereby the sleeve causes at least a portion of deformable elements of the connector to deform outwardly away from the longitudinal axis, and

wherein said at least two deformable outer elements extend in a proximal direction when said connector is associated with said applicator.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises at least two deformable inner elements extending from the annular or tubular element in a distal direction when said connector is associated with said applicator, and wherein at least a portion of the inner elements is deformable outwardly away from the longitudinal axis when said connector is associated with said applicator.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the outer elements and inner elements are configured to clamp the first and second hollow tissue structures between the inner elements and the outer elements when the sleeve moves to the second position.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the movable element comprises a plurality of arms that move from a first position to a second position to thereby expand the connector.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the arms comprises a deflection surface at a distal portion thereof.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each deflection surface is positioned such that when said movable element is in the second position, at least some of the inner and outer elements abut against said deflection surfaces during at least a part of said movement of said sleeve.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein each of said arms comprises a notch in a distal portion thereof, and the system further comprises an elastic band located in said notches.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein said arms are connected at a proximal portion by an annular part.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said arms comprise a material with elastic properties.