Method for anastomosing vessels

Abstract

A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, each vessel having a wall surrounding a lumen, may include providing a connector holder, associating an end of the graft vessel with the connector holder, positioning the connector holder outside of the lumen of the target vessel, outside the lumen of the graft vessel, and in proximity to the outer surface of the wall of the target vessel, and actuating the connector holder to secure the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 392,336, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 151,441, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,038. Additionally, this application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 399,880, filed on Jul. 31, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for performing anastomosis. BACKGROUND [0003] Anastomosis is a procedure by which two hollow tissue structures are joined together. More particularly, vascular anastomosis is a procedure by which two blood vessels within a patient are surgically joined together. Vascular anastomosis is performed during treatment of a variety of conditions including coronary artery disease, diseases of the great and peripheral vessels, organ transplantation, and trauma. In coronary artery disease (CAD) an occlusion or stenosis in a coronary artery interf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In one aspect of the invention, an anastomosis tool includes a tissue effector connected to a handle by a shaft or other structure. The tissue effector may be orientable relative to the handle and / or shaft. For example, the tissue effector may be configured to roll, pitch and / or yaw relative to the shaft. In this way, the tissue effector can be placed in a desired orientation at an anastomosis site, and the handle can be held in a convenient position by the user.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, at least one graft clip blade optionally is attached to at least one of the arms of the staple holder. The graft clip blade has a serrated edge oriented to engage the corresponding flap of the graft vessel. The serrations on the edge of the graft clip blade assist in holding the corresponding flap securely, particularly as the vein knife incises excess tissue from the flap. Additionally, the graft clip blade may participate in incising excess tissue from the corresponding flap. Further, the serrations on the edge of the graft clip blade, in conjunction with the spikes, may assist in holding the excess tissue incised from each flap.

[0015] In another aspect of the invention, the distal end of one or more of the arms of the staple holder may be notched. After the staples have been deployed, the sled may be positioned such that its distal ends are located at the distal ends of the channels, such that the sled is visible via the notches. In this way, actuation of the sled and thus deployment of the staples can be visually confirmed.

[0017] In another aspect of the invention, the trigger is connected to a rocker that is configured to engage a proximal slider during actuation of the trigger. A first cable or other force transmission structure or mechanism is connected to the proximal slider, as well as to the anvil. The first cable is movable relative to a cable housing, which is fixed at one end to the staple holder and at the other end to the shaft. The anvil is fixed relative to the shaft as well. As the trigger is actuated, the rocker urges the proximal slider proximally, causing the proximal slider to pull the first cable proximally. Because the anvil is fixed relative to the shaft, the proximal motion of the first cable tensions the first cable. Because the cable housing is fixed to the staple holder, the tensioning of the first cable causes the staple holder to move closer to the anvil, thereby moving the tissue effector from the open position to the closed position. By moving the staple holder and keeping the anvil substantially stationary, the tissue effector closes without damaging the target vessel within which the anvil is positioned.

Problems solved by technology

The suturing process is a time consuming and difficult procedure requiring a high level of surgical skill.

This suturing requires a high degree of precision and is quite time consuming.

The use of a side clamp or similar device can cause emboli to detach from the wall of the aorta and enter the bloodstream, which is undesirable.

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