Surgical method for treating a vessel wall

Abstract

A tool that has an introducer having a space therein and a distal aperture at the distal end thereof, and a spike movable within the introducer, may be used in a surgical method for treating a vessel wall. A tissue plug may be removed from the vessel wall with the spike, whereby an opening remains in the vessel wall. The spike then may be moved within the space in the introducer in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline of the distal aperture. An object then may be delivered through the introducer and out of the distal aperture to the opening in the vessel wall.

1 . A surgical method for treating a vessel wall, comprising: 
 providing a tool including 
 an introducer having a space therein and a distal aperture at the distal end thereof wherein said space communicates with the exterior of said introducer, and  
 a spike movable within said introducer;  
   removing a tissue plug from the vessel wall with said spike, whereby an opening remains in the vessel wall;    moving said spike within said space in a direction away from the longitudinal centerline of said distal aperture; and    delivering an object through said introducer and out of said distal aperture to the opening in the vessel wall.    
   
   
       2 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising manually controlling said moving and delivering.  
   
   
       3 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising pneumatically controlling said moving and delivering.  
   
   
       4 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein said introducer further comprising a side aperture defined therein, said side aperture located proximal to said distal aperture; and wherein said moving includes moving at least part of said spike through said side aperture.  
   
   
       5 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising advancing said introducer into the opening in the vessel wall.  
   
   
       6 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of said introducer is generally conical.  
   
   
       7 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein said object is an anastomosis device.  
   
   
       8 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , wherein said delivering is along a substantially straight line.  
   
   
       9 . The surgical method of  claim 1 , further comprising advancing at least part of said spike through said distal aperture in said introducer before said removing.  
   
   
       10 . A surgical method for treating a vessel wall, comprising: 
 providing a tool including 
 an introducer having a space therein and a distal aperture at the distal end thereof wherein said space communicates with the exterior of said introducer, and  
 a spike movable within said introducer;  
   providing an anastomosis device movable along a path of motion through said distal aperture;    removing a tissue plug from the vessel wall with said spike, whereby an opening remains in the vessel wall;    moving said spike to a location within said space that is out of said path of motion of said anastomosis device; and    moving said anastomosis device through said introducer and out of said distal aperture to the opening in the vessel wall.    
   
   
       11 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , further comprising manually controlling said moving.  
   
   
       12 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , further comprising pneumatically controlling said moving.  
   
   
       13 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , wherein said path of motion of said anastomosis device is substantially along the longitudinal centerline of said distal aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , wherein said path of motion of said anastomosis device is substantially linear.  
   
   
       15 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , further comprising advancing said introducer into the opening in the vessel wall.  
   
   
       16 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , wherein the distal end of said introducer is generally conical.  
   
   
       17 . The surgical method of  claim 10 , further comprising advancing at least part of said spike through said distal aperture in said introducer before said removing.