Devices and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis

Abstract

A system for performing an end-to-side vascular anastomosis including an anastomosis device, an application instrument and methods for performing a vascular anastomosis. The system is applicable for performing an anastomosis between a vascular graft and the ascending aorta in coronary artery bypass surgery, particularly in port-access CABG surgery. A first aspect of the invention includes a vascular anastomosis staple. A first configuration has two parts: an anchor member, forming the attachment with the target vessel wall and a coupling member, forming the attachment with the bypass graft vessel. The anastomosis is completed by inserting the coupling member, with the graft vessel attached, into the anchor member. A second configuration combines the functions of the anchor member and the coupling member into a one-piece anastomosis staple. A second aspect of the invention includes an anastomotic fitting, having an inner flange over which the graft vessel is everted and an outer flange which contacts the exterior surface of the target vessel. A tailored amount of compression applied by the inner and outer flanges grips the target vessel wall and creates a leak-proof seal between the graft vessel and the target vessel. A third aspect of the invention has a flange to which the graft vessel attaches, by everting the graft vessel over the flange, and a plurality of staple-like members which attach the flange and the everted end of the graft vessel to the wall of the target vessel to form the anastomosis

1 . An anastomosis staple device for connecting a free end of a graft vessel to a wall of a target vessel such that a lumen in the graft vessel is in fluid communication with a lumen in the target vessel through an opening in the wall of the target vessel, the anastomosis staple device comprising: 
 an anchor member, said anchor member having means for attaching said anchor member to said wall of said target vessel,    a coupling member, said coupling member being configured to attach said free end of said graft vessel to said coupling member, and    a coupling means for attaching said coupling member to said anchor member such that said end of said graft vessel is sealingly connected to said wall of said target vessel and said lumen of said graft vessel is in fluid communication with said lumen of said target vessel through said opening in said wall of said target vessel.    
   
   
       2 - 20 . (canceled)