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 integrated anastomosis tool may be used to connect an end of a graft vessel to a side of a target vessel. The integrated anastomosis tool may include a vessel penetrating member configured to penetrate the side of the target vessel, a tubular anastomosis device configured to connect the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel, and an applicator for deploying the anastomosis device.

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 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: 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: 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: 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 anastomosis device may include an outer loop and an inner loop connected to and substantially concentric with the inner loop. The outer loop and the inner loop may be connected by at least one hinge. At least one of the outer loop and the inner loop may be movable relative to the other along an axis defined by at least one hinge.

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 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 tool used in the performance of an anastomosis procedure between a graft vessel and a target vessel, where that anastomosis procedure utilizes at least one surgical tool, may include an access system that has a port and a seal connected to the port. The seal may substantially prevent loss of fluid from the target vessel.

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.