Anastomosis device

Abstract

An anastomosis device may include a central region, and at least one projection connected to the distal end of the central region, where at least one projection is foldable in at least the proximal direction. An anastomosis device may include a central region, and an inner flange connected to the distal end of the central region, the inner flange deployable from a first position to an expanded position, where the inner flange includes at least one substantially triangular inner flange element.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An anastomosis device, comprising: 
 a central region, comprising a plurality of struts; and    at least one projection connected to the distal end of said central region, wherein at least one said projection is foldable in at least the proximal direction.    
     
     
         2 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said projection includes at least one member extending at least partially along a perimeter of an open area.  
     
     
         3 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said projection is substantially trapezoidal.  
     
     
         4 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said projection is substantially diamond-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said projection is substantially triangular.  
     
     
         6 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein said central region is radially expandable along at least part of its length.  
     
     
         7 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said projection is made of superelastic material.  
     
     
         8 . The anastomosis device of  claim 8 , wherein said superelastic material is nickel-titanium alloy.  
     
     
         9 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein said struts extend substantially longitudinally.  
     
     
         10 . The anastomosis device of  claim 1 , wherein said struts are spaced apart from one another.  
     
     
         11 . An anastomosis device, comprising: 
 a central region; and    an inner flange connected to the distal end of said central region and deployable from a first position to an expanded position, wherein said inner flange includes at least one generally triangular inner flange element.    
     
     
         12 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said triangular inner flange element further comprises an axial member connected to and substantially bisecting said triangular inner flange element.  
     
     
         13 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said triangular inner flange element is substantially open.  
     
     
         14 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , further comprising an outer flange connected to the proximal end of said central region and deployable to an expanded position, wherein said outer flange includes at least one outer flange element radially offset from said at least one generally triangular inner flange element.  
     
     
         15 . The anastomosis device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one said outer flange element is generally triangular.  
     
     
         16 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said triangular outer flange element is substantially open.  
     
     
         17 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , wherein said central region is radially expandable along at least part of its length.  
     
     
         18 . The anastomosis device of  claim 11 , wherein said inner flange is made of superelastic material.  
     
     
         19 . The anastomosis device of  claim 18 , wherein said superelastic material is nickel-titanium alloy.  
     
     
         20 . An anastomosis device, comprising: 
 an inner flange and deployable from a first position to an expanded position, wherein said inner flange includes at least one generally triangular inner flange element; and    an outer flange proximal to said inner flange and deployable to an expanded position, wherein said outer flange includes at least one outer flange element.    
     
     
         21 . The anastomosis device of  claim 20 , wherein at least one said outer flange element is radially offset from said at least one generally triangular inner flange element.  
     
     
         22 . The anastomosis device of  claim 20 , wherein at least one said outer flange element is generally triangular.