Abstract: A system for connecting the end of a graft vessel to the side of a target vessel may include an anvil configured to enter the target vessel through an anvil entry hole in the wall of the target vessel; a holder movable relative to the anvil, where that holder may deploy at least one connector through the graft vessel and into the target vessel at a location spaced apart from the anvil entry hole; and at least one sealer that may be detachably connected to the anvil and/or said holder; where at least one sealer may be configured to substantially close the anvil entry hole in the target vessel.

Abstract: A surgical tool for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include an anvil; a cutting element connected to the anvil; and an energy source connected to the cutting element, wherein the energy source is configured to deliver energy to the cutting element. A method for performing anastomosis with that tool may include placing an end of the graft vessel against a side of the target vessel; creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel at a first location; inserting an anvil through the opening from outside the wall of the target vessel into the lumen of the target vessel; creating an incision in the wall of the target vessel spaced apart from the first location; and connecting the graft vessel to the target vessel.

Abstract: A surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil connected to the staple holder, where at least one of the staple holder and the anvil may be movable relative to the other, and where the anvil may include a groove defined therein, and a cutter that may be slidable along the groove in the anvil. Such a stapler may be used for treating a tissue structure having a lumen defined therein and a wall surrounding the lumen, such as by inserting the anvil into the lumen of the tissue structure through an opening in the wall of the tissue structure; and incising the wall of the tissue structure from the inside, utilizing the cutter.

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: A tool that has an introducer having a space therein and a distal aperture at the distal end thereof, and a spike movable within the introducer, may be used in a surgical method for treating a vessel wall. A tissue plug may be removed from the vessel wall with the spike, whereby an opening remains in the vessel wall. The spike then may be moved within the space in the introducer in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline of the distal aperture. An object then may be delivered through the introducer and out of the distal aperture to the opening in the vessel wall.

Abstract: A surgical tool for performing anastomosis may include a handle and a tissue effector connected by a shaft, at least party of which may be flexible. The tissue effector may include a staple holder connected to an anvil.

Abstract: An anastomosis system may include a deployment tool and an anastomosis device, where the anastomosis device may include a first section restrained by the deployment tool, and at least one second section separable from the first section.

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 method and system for performing anastomosis may use an anvil to control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure involving tissue bonding techniques such as adhesive tissue bonding. Adhesive may be applied to mating surfaces of the graft and/or target vessels either before or after the vessels are brought into contact. Adhesive may be applied via an applicator associated with the anvil.

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: 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 device for everting an end of a hollow tissue structure may include a mandrel and a collar proximal to the mandrel. The mandrel may be elastomeric and deformable. At least one of the collar and the mandrel may be movable relative to the other. Deformation of the mandrel everts the end of the hollow tissue structure.

Abstract: A system comprises a source providing video in a first format, a video converter for converting video form the first to a second format, a server storing a video image from the video, and combining the video image with a graphical user interface to form a composite video, and a first user display device displaying the composite video, and receiving from the user, a plurality of commands, wherein the first user display device is for receiving from the user, a plurality of annotations associated with a video frame from the composite video, and for determining the video frame from the composite video in response to a command, wherein the server is for forming an annotated video in response to the video frame and the plurality of annotations, for storing the plurality of annotations and the video frame, and for associating the plurality of annotations and the video frame.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive coronary artery bypass graft procedure may be performed with a splittable proximal anastomosis tool. A distal anastomosis tool may be used as well, where that distal anastomosis tool may include a staple holder having two spaced-apart arms, staples detachably held by the staple holder, and an anvil connected to the staple holder.

Abstract: A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, each vessel having a wall surrounding a lumen, may include providing a connector holder, associating an end of the graft vessel with the connector holder, positioning the connector holder outside of the lumen of the target vessel, outside the lumen of the graft vessel, and in proximity to the outer surface of the wall of the target vessel, and actuating the connector holder to secure the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel may include a trocar that may create an opening in the target vessel. At least part of the trocar may be expandable to allow an anastomosis device to pass through the distal end thereof. The apparatus may include a holder configured to hold the anastomosis device, and place and deploy the anastomosis device in the opening created by the trocar.

Abstract: An anastomosis tool may include a connector holder connected to an anvil. The connector holder may be bifurcated and configured to straddle the graft vessel. The connector holder may be generally U-shaped. The connector holder may be shaped to extend around more than half of the circumference of the graft vessel.

Abstract: A system for preparing a graft vessel for anastomosis includes one or more tools held within a functional package having at least one recess. An anastomosis tool or portion thereof may be held in at least one recess. An anastomosis device is connected to the anastomosis tool. At least one recess is shaped and sized to hold an amount of biocompatible fluid sufficient to immerse the anastomosis device.

Abstract: A method for anastomosing a first vessel to a second vessel may include connecting an end of the first vessel to the side of the second vessel and creating an opening in the wall of the second vessel from within the lumen of the second vessel, where that opening allows fluid communication between the lumen of the first vessel and the lumen of the second vessel.

Abstract: A system for preparing a graft vessel for anastomosis includes a pull-through tool held within a functional package. The pull-through tool may be used to pull a blood vessel through at least part of an anastomosis tool in preparation for an anastomosis procedure.