Anastomosis Device For Making Anastomoses Between Hollow Structures

Abstract

The present invention relates to a joining member for an anastomosis system for realizing anastomosis between first and second hollow structures, such as end-to-side anastomosis. The joining member is annular and is adapted for joining the first and second hollow structures. The joining member includes a plurality of interconnected loops forming the annular body and a plurality of joining elements for joining the hollow structures connected to the annular body at locations where adjacent loops are interconnected to each other, and wherein the loops are configured to permit radial expansion of said annular body to expand said joining member from a first position to a second position having a second, larger diameter than the first position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable annular joining member for joining first and second hollow structures to form an anastomosis between said first and second hollow structures, the joining member comprising:
 a plurality of interconnected loops forming an annular body,   a plurality of joining elements for joining the hollow structures connected to the annular body at locations where adjacent loops are interconnected to each other, and wherein the loops are configured to permit radial expansion of said annular body to expand said joining member from a first position to a second position having a second, larger diameter than the first position.   
     
     
         2 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining elements are configured for actuation relative to the loops in a direction substantially parallel to a central axis of the joining member to bring the joining member to a third joining position in which the first and second hollow structures are joined. 
     
     
         3 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining member is configured for positioning on a seat of an anastomosis device at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the anastomosis device different from 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The joining member according to  claim 3 , wherein the loops are configured to deform to a substantially linear configuration upon exertion of a substantially radial force on an inner surface of the joining member to expand said joining member from a first position to a second position having a second, larger diameter than the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein the joining elements are staples. 
     
     
         6 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein the loops are interconnected by connecting elements and the joining elements are connected to the connecting elements. 
     
     
         7 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the interconnecting loops have shapes that differ from the shapes of adjacent interconnected loops. 
     
     
         8 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein the interconnected loops have different sizes such that after radial expansion of the joining member, distances between adjacent joining elements vary. 
     
     
         9 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein a size of at least some of the interconnected loops varies depending on a location of said interconnected loops in the joining member. 
     
     
         10 . The joining member according to  claim 1 , wherein angles between the joining elements and a transaxial plane of said annular body vary in a regular pattern. 
     
     
         11 . The joining member of  claim 3 , wherein said annular body has a substantially oval or polygonal shape. 
     
     
         12 . A kit comprising a joining member according to  claim 1  and graft material suitable for creating an anastomosis between the graft material and a hollow structure. 
     
     
         13 . The kit according to  claim 12 , further comprising an anastomosis device for actuating the joining member to create the anastomosis between the graft material and a hollow structure.