Anastomosis Stapler

Abstract

A surgical stapler may include a staple holder, an anvil connected to the staple holder, where at least one of the staple holder and the anvil may be movable relative to the other, and where the anvil may include a groove defined therein, and a cutter that may be slidable along the groove in the anvil. Such a stapler may be used for treating a tissue structure having a lumen defined therein and a wall surrounding the lumen, such as by inserting the anvil into the lumen of the tissue structure through an opening in the wall of the tissue structure; and incising the wall of the tissue structure from the inside, utilizing the cutter.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 897,783, filed on Jul. 23, 2004; which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 253,347, filed on Sep. 24, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,063,712; which in turn is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 842,792, filed on Apr. 27, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,478,804; which in turn is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 363,255, filed on Jul. 28, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,038; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to an anastomosis system, and more particularly, the invention relates to an anastomosis system for controlling a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure. [0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art [0005] Vascular anastomosis is a procedure by which two hollow tissue structures are surgically joined together. Vascular ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a system for controlling a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure, which is a surgical connection of two hollow tissue structures such as blood vessels or coronary arteries. The system allows for better control and precision during the suturing process, which is a time-consuming and difficult procedure requiring a high level of surgical skill. The system also allows for blood flow between the two vessels during the connection, which prevents bleeding and ensures blood flow to the heart muscle. The invention provides an an vascular anastomosis system that allows for the connection of a graft vessel to a target vessel prior to making an incision in the target vessel, which allows blood flow between the two vessels prior to the incision. The invention also includes various embodiments of an anvil, staples, and staple holding strips for use in the anastomosis procedure. Overall, the invention improves the efficiency and precision of the anastomosis procedure, making it a less invasive and trauma-inducing alternative to conventional CABG procedures.

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.

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