Wire connector structures for tubular grafts

Abstract

Connector structures are provided for attaching elongated flexible tubular grafts to the body organ tubing of a patient. The connector structures are formed from wire. A first set of connector wires may be disposed around the periphery of one end of an elongated flexible tubular graft. A second set can be disposed around the periphery of the elongated flexible tubular graft spaced sufficiently from the first set of connector wires to define a gap. The portion of body organ tubing to which the elongated flexible tubular graft is to be attached is received in the gap and engaged by the first and second sets of connector wires. The wires may be formed in the shape of loops. If desired, hooks may be provided on the ends of the wires. The wires may be curved to accommodate attachment of the graft to tubular body organ tubing. The wires may also be formed in annular shapes. The connector structures may be formed as stand-alone ring-shaped connectors. Obliquely-angled connections between grafts and body organ tubing may be made using the connector structures.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of forming spike tips of an anastomotic connector, into hooks for engaging blood vessels, comprising: 
 providing an anastomosis connector having a plurality of straight spikes having tips;    first bending said tips at a first angle, using a first mandrel; and    second bending a furtherly distal portion of said tips using a second mandrel, to form a hook shape of said tips.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , comprising mounting a graft on said spikes of said connector prior to said first bending.  
     
     
         3 . A method of heat-treating an anastomosis connector, comprising: 
 fitting a cut connector into a mold;    fixing said mold to bend both forward and backwards spikes of said connector into a desired configuration; and    heat-treating said fixed connector, thereby training it to said configuration.    
     
     
         4 . A connector adapter to be distorted for oblique connections, comprising: 
 a plurality of interconnected segments, at least some of said segments including a forward spike or a backward spike; and    a plurality of distortable portions defined between said segments, wherein said portions are adapted to support a distortion from a straight anastomosis to an oblique anastomosis.    
     
     
         5 . A connector according to  claim 4 , wherein said distortable portions comprise at least one ring.  
     
     
         6 . A connector according to  claim 4 , wherein said distortable portions are designated in a ring that interconnects said segments.  
     
     
         7 . A connector according to  claim 4 , wherein said distortable portions are annealed.  
     
     
         8 . A connector according to  claim 4 , wherein said spikes are self extending.  
     
     
         9 . A connector according to  claim 4 , wherein said distortable portions are plastically deformable.