Abstract: An anastomosis device includes a deployable section that may be connected to a discard section. The deployable section may be configured to expand in two substantially orthogonal directions during deployment. The deployable section may include a ring that includes one or more expandable elements.

Abstract: An integrated anastomosis tool both creates an opening in a side wall of a target blood vessel and performs an anastomosis procedure to connect a graft vessel to a side of the target blood vessel with a single integrated tool. The integrated anastomosis tool includes a cutting device, a graft vessel attachment device, an introducer, and a tool body. In each of the embodiments of the anastomosis tool, the advancement paths of a cutting device and a graft vessel attachment device cross, intersect, or align so that both the cutting device and the graft vessel attachment device can be operated by a single tool at the same intended anastomosis site in a sequential manner. The anastomosis procedure can be performed on a pressurized vessel since there is no need to interchange tools during the procedure.

Abstract: A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a coronary artery of the heart of a patient may include providing a stabilizer, a suspension attached to the stabilizer, and an anastomosis tool that includes an anvil and a staple holder movable relative to one another, where that anastomosis tool is attached to the suspension. Pressure may be applied to the heart with the stabilizer, after which the anastomosis tool may move relative to the stabilizer and connect the graft vessel to the coronary artery.

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: A one piece anastomosis device is disclosed which is formed of a superelastic or pseudoelastic material which self deforms or self deploys from an insertion configuration to a tissue holding configuration. The device in a deployed state preferably includes an inner tissue penetrating flange which penetrate and retains an everted graft vessel and an outer flange. The self deploying anastomosis device does not rely on a temperature transformation to achieve deployment.

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: An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel includes an elongated anvil arm for insertion into the target vessel. The anvil arm includes a contact surface that contacts the inner surface of the wall of the target vessel. The anvil arm includes a channel through which a cutting element translates, and a opening that extends between the channel and the contact surface of the anvil arm. The cutting element is translated along the channel, and is controlled to extend through the opening and make an incision in the wall of the target vessel at a selected location. The incision is made at a location spaced apart from the penetration site at which the anvil arm is inserted into the target vessel, resulting in a tissue bridge between the incision and the penetration site.

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 minimally-invasive anastomosis system includes a suspension that connects an anastomosis tool to a stabilizer. The stabilizer may be rigidly connected to a retractor or other structure that is fixed relative to the patient. The suspension facilitates anastomosis of a graft vessel to a target vessel in that tissue, by allowing the anastomosis tool to move relative to the stabilizer so that it can move along with the remaining motion of the heart tissue.

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: A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel with an integrated anastomosis tool may include actuating at least one control on the integrated anastomosis tool to create an opening in the target vessel and complete an anastomosis with the target vessel. Another method for performing anastomosis may include creating an opening in intact tissue of the target vessel with an integrated anastomosis tool; and deploying an anastomosis device with the integrated anastomosis tool. The anastomosis may be performed with an anastomosis device, such as an anastomosis device having a deployable section detachable from a discard section.

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 method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel may utilize an integrated tool that includes a movable cam having a number of discrete slots defined therein. The method may include moving the cam, creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel with the integrated tool; and advancing an anastomosis device at least partially into the opening with the integrated tool, where moving the cam causes both the creating of the opening and the advancing of the anastomosis device.

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: 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: 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.