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.

Abstract: An anastomosis device is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes an expandable tube configured to have a graft vessel secured to the tube. The device has an expandable linkage positioned at one end of the device and expansion of this linkage causes a first radially extending flange to fold outward. This first flange abuts an interior wall of a target vessel and a second flange is formed which abuts an exterior wall of the target vessel trapping the target vessel between the two flanges and secures the end of the graft vessel into an opening in the wall of the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods and allows anastomosis to be performed in tight spaces.

Abstract: An anastomosis device is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes an expandable tube configured to have a graft vessel secured to the tube. The device has an expandable linkage positioned at one end of the device and expansion of this linkage causes a first radially extending flange to fold outward. This first flange abuts an interior wall of a target vessel and a second flange is formed which abuts an exterior wall of the target vessel trapping the target vessel between the two flanges and secures the end of the graft vessel into an opening in the wall of the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods and allows anastomosis to be performed in tight spaces.

Abstract: A tissue punch for creating a hole in the wall of a target blood vessel for receiving an anastomosis device includes a piercing element for penetrating the tissue and a cutting element for cutting a plug of tissue around the pierced hole. The tissue punch includes a trocar for inserting the piercing element. After punching is complete, the piercing element is removed from the trocar through a side wall of the trocar so that a medical device can be deployed through the trocar lumen. The tissue punch may also include a tissue trap for trapping the plug of tissue.

Abstract: An anastomosis device is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes an expandable tube configured to have a graft vessel secured to the tube. The device has an expandable linkage positioned at one end of the device and expansion of this linkage causes a first radially extending flange to fold outward. This first flange abuts an interior wall of a target vessel and a second flange is formed which abuts an exterior wall of the target vessel trapping the target vessel between the two flanges and secures the end of the graft vessel into an opening in the wall of the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods and allows anastomosis to be performed in tight spaces.

Abstract: An anastomosis device may include at least one first element connectible to at least one second element, where at least one first element is frangible. At least one second element may include at least one opening therethrough, where each opening receives a corresponding first element. At least one deflectable tab may extend into at least one opening to engage a corresponding first element.

Abstract: An anastomosis system and method uses an anvil to control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure. The anvil is particularly useful for supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft vessel to the coronary artery because the wall of the coronary artery is very thin, difficult to grasp, and susceptible to tearing. In one method, the anvil is inserted into a pressurized or unpressurized target vessel and is pulled against an inner wall of the target vessel causing tenting of the thin tissue of the vessel wall. A graft vessel is then advanced to the anastomosis site and an end of the graft vessel is positioned adjacent and exterior of the target vessel. Staples are inserted through the tissue of the graft vessel and the target vessel by pivoting the arms of a staple holder towards the anvil. When the ends of the staples engage staple bending features on the anvil, the ends of the staples bend over securing the graft vessel and target vessel together.

Abstract: A medical device which can be implanted at a target site in a living body. The device includes an inner flange formed by radial expansion of the device and an outer flange formed by axial compression of the device. The device can include an implant portion and a discard portion which separate from each other during formation of the outer flange. The separation can occur by fracturing a frangible linkage or by mechanically separating a portion of the outer flange from a deployment tool. The device can be a one piece anastomosis device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The inner and outer flanges capture the edges of an opening in a target vessel and secure the graft vessel to the opening in the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods.

Abstract: Anastomotic stents for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, and methods of use thereof. The anastomotic stents of the invention are suitable for use in a variety of anastomosis procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting. One embodiment of the invention comprises a large vessel anastomotic stent for use with large diameter target vessels such as the aorta or its major side branches. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a small vessel anastomotic stent for use on a target vessel which has a small diameter such as a coronary artery. Another aspect of the invention involves applicators for use with the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A single integrated tool is used both to create an opening in a vessel wall and deploy an anastomosis device into that opening, thereby simplifying an anastomosis procedure such as a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The creation of the opening and deployment of the anastomosis device may be actuated with a single control.

Abstract: Anastomotic stents for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, and methods of use thereof. The anastomotic stents of the invention are suitable for use in a variety of anastomosis procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting. One embodiment of the invention comprises a large vessel anastomotic stent for use with large diameter target vessels such as the aorta or its major side branches. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a small vessel anastomotic stent for use on a target vessel which has a small diameter such as a coronary artery. Another aspect of the invention involves applicators for use with the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A method and system for performing anastomosis uses an anvil to control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure involving tissue bonding techniques such as tissue welding and adhesive tissue bonding. The anvil is particularly useful for supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft vessel in a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The anvil is inserted into a pressurized or unpressurized target vessel and is pulled against an inner wall of the target vessel causing tenting of the thin tissue of the vessel wall. A graft vessel is then advanced to the anastomosis site and an end of the graft vessel is positioned adjacent an exterior of the target vessel. When tissue welding is used, a graft vessel fixture is positioned over the tissue surfaces to be welded in order to clamp the graft and target vessel tissue together. The tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil and/or graft vessel fixture are provided with one or more energy applying surfaces.

Abstract: A single measurement tool is configured to measure at least one characteristic of a tubular tissue structure during a surgical procedure. The measurement tool may include an indentation defined therein that is placed against a tubular structure such as the aorta to determine whether that tubular structure has a radius larger than or smaller than the radius of curvature of the indentation. The measurement tool may include a number of first recesses for measuring the diameter of a tubular structure. The measurement tool may include at least one second recess for measuring the wall thickness of a tubular structure.

Abstract: Anastomotic stents for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, and methods of use thereof. The anastomotic stents of the invention are suitable for use in a variety of anastomosis procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting. One embodiment of the invention comprises a large vessel anastomotic stent for use with large diameter target vessels such as the aorta or its major side branches. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a small vessel anastomotic stent for use on a target vessel which has a small diameter such as a coronary artery. Another aspect of the invention involves applicators for use with the stents of the invention.

Abstract: A high-energy density magnetic particulate is mixed with a biocompatible material to form a composite. The composite may be formed into a sheet, which may be rolled into a tube and laser-cut to form at least one medical device, such as one piece of a multi-piece anastomosis device. The device includes a number of interconnected struts, which may be sized such that any portion of the member placed in the bloodstream is substantially non-thrombogenic. A magnetic field is induced in the composite.

Abstract: An anastomosis system and method uses an anvil to control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure. The anvil is particularly useful for supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft vessel to the coronary artery because the wall of the coronary artery is very thin, difficult to grasp, and susceptible to tearing. In one method, the anvil is inserted into a pressurized or unpressurized target vessel and is pulled against an inner wall of the target vessel causing tenting of the thin tissue of the vessel wall. A graft vessel is then advanced to the anastomosis site and an end of the graft vessel is positioned adjacent and exterior of the target vessel. Staples are inserted through the tissue of the graft vessel and the target vessel by pivoting the arms of a staple holder towards the anvil. When the ends of the staples engage staple bending features on the anvil, the ends of the staples bend over securing the graft vessel and target vessel together.

Abstract: The anastomosis device according to the present invention is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes a frame for receiving and holding the end of a graft vessel in an everted position and first and second spreading members configured to be inserted into an opening in the target vessel. The first and second spreading members are arranged substantially in a plane for insertion into an opening in a target vessel, and are moved away from one another to capture the edges of the opening in the target vessel securing the graft vessel to the target vessel. One version of the anastomosis device includes a plurality of linkages arranged in two rows for grasping opposite sides of an opening in the target vessel. A portion of the linkages fold outward to trap vessel walls on opposite sides of the opening in the target vessel.

Abstract: A single integrated tool is used both to create an opening in a vessel wall and deploy an anastomosis device into that opening, thereby simplifying an anastomosis procedure such as a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The creation of the opening and deployment of the anastomosis device may be actuated with a single control.

Abstract: An everter and threadthrough system useful for attaching a graft vessel to a anastomosis device which can be used to attach a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The threadthrough system engages an end of the graft vessel and pulls the graft vessel through a deployment tool until a portion of the graft vessel extends beyond a distal end of the anastomosis device mounted on the deployment tool. The everter includes a spreading mechanism which expands the end of the graft vessel and folds the expanded end over the anastomosis device. In the case where the anastomosis device includes barbs, the everter can effect penetration of the graft vessel by the barbs. Once the graft vessel is everted over the anastomosis device, the deployment tool can be used to attach the graft vessel to a target vessel.

Abstract: A tool for performing anastomosis connects two tissue structures end-to-end. A clamp holds each tissue structure. The clamps are movable relative to one another, and are registered together such that the flaps of one tissue structure are pressed against the corresponding flaps of the other tissue structure when the clamps come together. Each flap of one tissue structure is connected to a corresponding flap on the other corresponding tissue structure with at least one connector.