Compliant anastomosis system utilizing suture

Abstract

An integrated anastomosis tool may include an effector that both makes an opening in the wall of a target vessel and connects a graft vessel to the target vessel. The effector may include a cutter assembly and a connection module that are independently actuatable. The connection between the graft vessel and the target vessel may be compliant, and may be achieved by suturing an end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel with the connection module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical apparatus for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, comprising:
 a cutter; and   a connection module, at least one of said cutter and said connection module movable relative to the other, wherein said connection module includes a plurality of needles.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one said needle is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least one needle includes a substantially arcuate body having a free end. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said needle includes an axle oriented substantially perpendicular to said arcuate body. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said needle includes a retention member connected to said axle. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said retention member is substantially L-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one needle tip detachably connected to a corresponding said needle, further comprising suture connected to said needle tip. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one needle tip is crimped to an end of the corresponding said needle. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein at least one needle tip is frangibly connected to an end of the corresponding said needle. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said connection module further comprises at least one grate, wherein at least one said needle tip is engageable with said grate. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one said grate is movable from a first position in proximity to the distal end of said connection module to a second position proximal to said first position. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein at least one said grate includes at least one aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one said grate includes a plurality of said apertures spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each said needle tip includes a spike at its distal end, and wherein the width of each aperture is less than the width of the widest part of said spike. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one trap detachably connected to said connection module, each said trap connected to suture and configured to receive a corresponding said needle. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein at least one said trap includes at least one tab defined therein to capture said corresponding needle. 
     
     
         17 . A surgical apparatus for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, comprising:
 an actuator; and   an effector operationally connected to said actuator, said effector configured to place the graft vessel in fluid communication with the target vessel; wherein said effector includes a connection module having a plurality of needles, a needle tip detachably connected to each said needle, and suture connected to each said needle tip.   
     
     
         18 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein said actuator and said effector are operationally connected by at least one transmission member extending therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said actuator includes a source of stored energy operationally connected to said transmission member. 
     
     
         20 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said source of stored energy is a pressurized gas reservoir. 
     
     
         21 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein at least one said transmission member is a cable. 
     
     
         22 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said connection module includes at least one housing extending to a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one bushing connected to a proximal surface of the distal end of at least one said housing. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein at least one said bushing includes an opening therein, and wherein each said needle corresponding to each bushing includes a substantially arcuate body and an axle substantially perpendicular to said substantially arcuate body; wherein at least one said axle extends into the corresponding said opening. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein at least one said axle is rotatable relative to the corresponding said bushing. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein each said needle includes a retention member connected to said axle, and wherein each said retention member is configured to slide along the outer surface of the corresponding said bushing. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said actuator is connectable to an external energy source to receive energy therefrom, said actuator configured to convert energy received from the external energy source into motion of said transmission member.