Apparatus for performing anastomosis

• US 7,217,285 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2004
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aesculap AG (Lonza Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Cardica Incorporated
• Inventors: Yencho, Stephen A., Hausen, Bernard A., Hendricksen, Michael, Donohoe, Brendan, Vargas, Jaime, Nielsen, Jamey
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes; Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gettman; Christina D.
• Application Number:
  US10/897,783
• Publication Number:
  US 20040260342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 606/151, 606/153, 623/1.36, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/181.1
• US Class Current: 623/1.36
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 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 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• 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

An apparatus for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include a connector holder having spaced-apart arms, and a member connected to the connector holder, where the member is insertable through an opening in a wall of the target vessel at least partially into the lumen of the target vessel. One or more connectors, such as staples, may be deployed from each arm to connect the graft vessel to the target vessel. One or more connectors may be deformable against the member.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a graft vessel and a target vessel, each having a wall around a lumen, comprising:

a connector holder including two spaced-apart arms;

a plurality of discrete connectors, each said arm holding at least one said connector; and

an anvil arm pivotally attached to said connector holder, said anvil arm insertable through an opening in a wall of the target vessel at least partially into the lumen of the target vessel;

wherein said connector holder urges said connectors from each said arm into contact with a continuous surface of said anvil arm to deform said connectors.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm contacts an inner surface of the wall of the target vessel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm is configured to support an inner surface of the wall of the target vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm is substantially stiff.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm is substantially elongated.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm has a blunt distal end.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one said arm of said connector holder is configured to eject at least one said connector in a first direction and a different said arm of said connector holder is configured to eject at least one said connector in a second direction different from said first direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm includes two side walls substantially parallel to one another.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arms of said connector holder are substantially linear.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said arms of said connector holder are substantially parallel to one another.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said arms of said connector holder are fixed relative to one another.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said anvil arm is positioned under and laterally between said arms of said connector holder.