Sutureless anastomosis systems

Abstract

Anastomosis systems include fittings and compression mechanisms for effecting end-end or end-side couplings of biological or synthetic bypass grafts to vessel locations. The fittings are tubular and surround end regions of the graft. In some applications an end region of the graft is everted and surrounds an exterior of the fitting, in which case the preferred compression mechanism is a retaining ring. A tool is used to evert the graft end region. In other applications, the fitting has an interior groove that receives an expandable retaining ring that urges the graft end region radially outwardly against the fitting. A graft deploying and securing system includes a needle for puncturing vessel tissue, a dilator, and a sheath adapted for containing a graft/fitting combination and guiding the combination into the vessel through an opening formed by the needle and dilator.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An anastomosis connector system for providing support to a bypass graft having a wall comprising: 
 a fitting adapted for insertion at least partially through a vessel wall at an attachment site, the fitting being attachable to a distal end of the bypass graft; and    an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end with a length therebetween, wherein the member extends at least partially about the bypass graft at a location along the graft proximal to the attachment site between the distal end of the graft and the vessel wall such that kinking is inhibited within the graft.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member comprises a wire.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is wound into a helical pattern about the bypass graft.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is further adapted to increase a burst strength of the bypass graft.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is incorporated into the wall of the bypass graft.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  wherein the bypass graft comprises a synthetic material.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is adapted to be disposed exteriorly to the bypass graft.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of the proximal and distal ends of the elongate member are bonded to the fitting.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member is integrally attached to the fitting.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member extending about the graft is adapted to orient the graft at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis defined along the vessel wall.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fitting comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, nickel-titanium alloy, thermoplastic, thermoset plastic, silicone, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the elongate member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, shape memory alloy, and polymer.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the shape memory alloy comprises nickel titanium.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the polymer comprises nylon or polyester.