Adhesive-based anastomosis method and system

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.

1 . A method of performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, comprising: 
 inserting an anvil into the target vessel;    positioning said anvil against a wall of the target vessel;    positioning an end of the graft vessel against the target vessel;    delivering adhesive to substantially seal the graft vessel to the target vessel; and    removing said anvil.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising incising the wall of the target vessel at the junction between the graft vessel and the target vessel.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said incising is performed before said delivering.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said incising is performed after said delivering.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive is cyanoacrylate.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising forming at least two flaps at the end of the graft vessel before said delivering.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of said anvil is sharp; and wherein said inserting includes puncturing the wall of the target vessel with said distal end of said anvil.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising curing said adhesive.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adhesive applicator on said anvil, wherein said delivering adhesive is performed through at least one said adhesive applicator.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising clamping members adapted to compress graft vessel tissue and target vessel tissue against said anvil, wherein at least one said clamping member has at least one adhesive applicator thereon, and wherein said delivering adhesive is performed through at least one said adhesive applicator.  
   
   
       11 . A medical device for performing anastomosis between a first vessel and a second vessel, comprising: 
 an anvil; and    at least one clamping member associated with said anvil, wherein at least one said clamping member includes an adhesive applicator.    
   
   
       12 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said adhesive applicator is a tube.  
   
   
       13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one said tube is flexible.  
   
   
       14 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one said tube is oriented substantially parallel to said anvil.  
   
   
       15 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein at least one said tube includes a plurality of apertures along at least part of its length.  
   
   
       16 . The medical device of  claim 12 , including two said tubes spaced apart from one another.  
   
   
       17 . The medical device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one said adhesive applicator is a needle.  
   
   
       18 . The medical device of  claim 18 , wherein at least one needle is oriented toward said anvil.  
   
   
       19 . A medical device for performing anastomosis between a first vessel and a second vessel, comprising: 
 an anvil; and    at least one adhesive applicator connected to said anvil.    
   
   
       20 . The medical device of  claim 19 , further comprising at least one clamping member connected to at least one said adhesive applicator.