U.S. patent application number 09/725232 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for tissue bonding system and method for controlling a tissue site during anastomosis.
Invention is credited to Bender, Theodore, Bombard, David, Chang, Tenny, Donohoe, Brendan, Hausen, Bernard A., Hendricksen, Michael, Nielsen, Jamey, Vargas, Jaime, Yencho, Stephen A..
Application Number | 20010007069 09/725232 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23429481 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010007069 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bombard, David ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Tissue bonding system and method for controlling a tissue site
during anastomosis
Abstract
A method and system for performing anastomosis uses an anvil to
control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure
involving tissue bonding techniques such as tissue welding and
adhesive tissue bonding. The anvil is particularly useful for
supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft
vessel in a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The anvil is
inserted into a pressurized or unpressurized target vessel and is
pulled against an inner wall of the target vessel causing tenting
of the thin tissue of the vessel wall. A graft vessel is then
advanced to the anastomosis site and an end of the graft vessel is
positioned adjacent an exterior of the target vessel. When tissue
welding is used, a graft vessel fixture is positioned over the
tissue surfaces to be welded in order to clamp the graft and target
vessel tissue together. The tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil
and/or graft vessel fixture are provided with one or more energy
applying surfaces. Energy in the form of RF power, laser energy or
ultrasonic energy is then applied to the compressed graft and
target vessel tissue to weld the vessels together. When adhesive
bonding is used, the adhesive may be applied to mating surfaces of
the graft and/or target vessels either before or after the vessels
are brought into contact. After tissue bonding is complete, an
incision is formed in the wall of the target vessel to allow blood
flow between the target vessel and the graft vessel. The incision
may be made with an electro-cautery cutting device.
Inventors: |
Bombard, David; (San
Francisco, CA) ; Bender, Theodore; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Chang, Tenny; (Mountain View, CA) ;
Vargas, Jaime; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Hendricksen,
Michael; (Redwood City, CA) ; Yencho, Stephen A.;
(Menlo Park, CA) ; Nielsen, Jamey; (San Francisco,
CA) ; Hausen, Bernard A.; (Menlo Park, CA) ;
Donohoe, Brendan; (San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURNS DOANE SWECKER & MATHIS L L P
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
23429481 |
Appl. No.: |
09/725232 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09725232 |
Nov 29, 2000 |
|
|
|
09363255 |
Jul 28, 1999 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/41 ;
606/214 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/064 20130101;
A61B 17/115 20130101; A61B 2017/1135 20130101; A61B 2090/037
20160201; A61B 2017/00243 20130101; A61B 17/072 20130101; A61B
17/0469 20130101; A61B 17/0644 20130101; A61B 17/11 20130101; A61B
2017/07278 20130101; A61B 17/0482 20130101; A61B 17/122 20130101;
A61B 17/1152 20130101; A61B 2017/07214 20130101; A61B 17/064
20130101; A61B 2017/1107 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/41 ;
606/214 |
International
Class: |
A61B 017/11 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of performing anastomosis comprising steps of:
providing an anastomosis system comprising an elongated anvil and a
graft vessel fixture movable with respect to said anvil, said graft
vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more
clamping surfaces adapted to compress the tissue on opposite sides
of the graft vessel against tissue contacting surfaces of the
anvil; inserting the elongated anvil through the wall of a target
blood vessel and positioning the elongated anvil along an interior
of the target blood vessel wall; positioning an end of a graft
vessel adjacent an exterior of the target blood vessel wall; moving
the fixture toward the anvil to compress the graft and target
vessel tissue between the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the
fixture; and applying energy to the tissue compressed between the
anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture to secure the graft
and target vessels together.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: making an
opening in the target vessel to allow blood to flow between the
target vessel and the graft vessel; and removing the anvil.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anvil and the
clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise one or more
electrodes and wherein the tissue welds are formed by applying RF
energy via the electrodes to the compressed tissue.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anvil comprises a
plurality of optical fibers having ends which are exposed at a
tissue contacting surface thereof and wherein the tissue welds are
formed by applying laser energy via the optical fibers to the
compressed tissue.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the clamping surfaces
of the graft vessel fixture comprise optical fibers having ends
which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces thereof and wherein
the tissue welds are formed by applying laser energy via the
optical fibers to the compressed tissue.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the clamping members of
the graft vessel fixture comprise wires having ends which are
exposed at the clamping surfaces thereof and wherein the tissue
welds are formed by applying ultrasonic energy via the wires to the
compressed tissue.
7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the electrodes on the
graft vessel fixture comprise a plurality of projections each of
which forms a separate clamping surface with the anvil.
8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the anvil comprises a
plurality of projections each of which forms a separate clamping
surface with the graft vessel fixture.
9. The method according to claims 7, wherein one or more of the
projections are electrically isolated from the rest of the
projections and wherein current is supplied sequentially to each
electrically isolated projection.
10. The method according to claims 8, wherein one or more of the
projections are electrically isolated from the rest of the
projections and wherein current is supplied sequentially to each
electrically isolated projection.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anvil is an
elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a
sharpened end, and wherein the anvil is inserted in the target
vessel by puncturing the wall of the target vessel with the
sharpened end of the anvil.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the incision in the
target vessel is made with a cutting device which is electrically
connected to a power source, said method further comprising the
step of causing electric current to flow through the tissue between
the electrode surfaces on the anvil and the cutting device while
the incision is being made to cauterize the incision.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the anastomosis is
performed on a pressurized target vessel.
14. An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target
vessel by the application of energy, the anastomosis system
comprising: an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces
thereon; and a graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members
each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the
graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft
vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil, said
fixture being movable relative to the anvil so as to allow the
graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil and
the fixture at the anastomosis site; wherein the tissue contacting
surfaces of the anvil or the clamping surfaces of the fixture are
provided with one or more energy applying surfaces.
15. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein the
energy applying surfaces are electrodes provided on both the tissue
contacting surfaces of the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the
graft vessel fixture.
16. The anastomosis system according to claim 15, wherein the
clamping surfaces of the fixture comprise a plurality of
projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with
the anvil.
17. The anastomosis system according to claim 15, wherein the
tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil comprise a plurality of
projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with
the graft vessel fixture.
18. The anastomosis system according to claims 16, wherein one or
more of the projections are electrically isolated from the other
projections.
19. The anastomosis system according to claims 17, wherein one or
more of the projections are electrically isolated from the other
projections.
20. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, further
comprising a cutting device which is electrically connected to a
power source to form an electrode.
21. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein the anvil
comprises a plurality of optical fibers having ends which are
exposed at the tissue contacting surfaces thereof.
22. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein the
clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise optical
fibers having ends which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces
thereof.
23. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein tissue
clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise wires having
ends which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces thereof.
24. The anastomosis system according to claim 14, wherein said
fixture further comprises two arms movably mounted with respect to
the clamping members, said clamping members and movable arms
adapted for receiving and holding portions of the graft vessel
therebetween.
25. An anvil for use in performing anastomosis between a graft
vessel and a target vessel by the application of energy, the anvil
comprising: a handle; and an elongated anvil arm extending from the
handle, the anvil arm having at least one energy applying surface
on a tissue contacting surface thereof.
26. The anvil according to claim 25, wherein the energy applying
surface comprises one or more electrode patches on an upper tissue
contacting surface thereof.
27. The anvil according to claim 25, wherein the anvil further
comprises a temperature or impedance sensor.
28. The anvil according to claim 25, wherein the energy applying
surface comprises a plurality of optical fibers having ends which
are exposed at the tissue contacting surface thereof.
29. The anvil according to claim 25, wherein the anvil further
comprises at least one energy applying assembly movably mounted in
a track such that the assembly can be moved along the length of the
anvil.
30. The anvil according to claim 29, wherein the energy applying
assembly comprises optical fibers for application of laser
energy.
31. The anvil according to claim 29, wherein the energy applying
assembly comprises wires for application of ultrasonic energy.
32. The anvil according to claim 29, wherein the energy applying
assembly comprises electrodes for application of RF energy.
33. A method of performing an anastomosis between a target vessel
and the end of a graft vessel comprising steps of: applying a
tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft vessel or target
vessel; inserting an elongated anvil through the wall of the target
vessel and positioning the anvil along an interior of the target
vessel wall; positioning the end of the graft vessel adjacent an
exterior of the target vessel wall; and curing the adhesive.
34. The method of claim 33, further comprising steps of: making an
opening in the target vessel to allow blood to flow between the
target vessel and the graft vessel; and removing the anvil.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the adhesive is activated by
heat or light energy, the method further comprising applying heat
or light energy to the adhesive.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue adhesive is applied
to the mating surfaces before the graft vessel is positioned
adjacent the target vessel wall.
37. The method of claim 33, wherein the tissue adhesive is applied
to the mating surfaces after the graft vessel is positioned
adjacent the target vessel wall.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the tissue adhesive is applied
to the mating surfaces with one or more hollow tubes or
needles.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the tissue adhesive is applied
to the mating surfaces by injecting the adhesive through an opening
in the graft vessel tissue.
40. An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target
vessel using a tissue adhesive, the anastomosis system comprising:
an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces thereon; and a
graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or
more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the graft and target
vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against the
tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil, said fixture being movable
relative to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel
tissue to be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the
anastomosis site; wherein the anvil or the graft vessel fixture is
provided with one or more tissue adhesive applicators adapted to
supply a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft or target
vessel.
41. The anastomosis system of claim 40, wherein the anvil is
provided with a tissue adhesive applicator.
42. The anastomosis system of claim 40, wherein the graft vessel
fixture further comprises a pin assembly adapted to trap the graft
vessel against the clamping members, wherein the pin assembly is
provided with one or more tissue adhesive applicators.
43. The anastomosis system of claim 40, wherein the tissue adhesive
applicator is a hollow tube or needle.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/363,255, entitled "Anastomosis System and
Method for Controlling a Tissue Site", filed Jul. 28, 1999, which
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Related Art
[0003] The invention relates to an anastomosis system and method
for controlling a tissue site in an anastomosis procedure wherein
blood vessels or other tubular or hollow organs are joined together
by tissue bonding.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] 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 interferes with blood flow to the heart muscle.
Treatment of CAD involves the grafting of a vessel in the form of a
prosthesis or harvested artery or vein to reroute blood flow around
the occlusion and restore adequate blood flow to the heart muscle.
This treatment is known as coronary artery bypass grafting
(CABG).
[0006] In the conventional CABG, a large incision is made in the
chest and the sternum is sawed in half to allow access to the
heart. In addition, a heart lung machine is used to circulate the
patient's blood so that the heart can be stopped and the
anastomosis can be performed. In order to minimize the trauma to
the patient induced by conventional CABG, less invasive techniques
have been developed in which the surgery is performed through small
incisions in the patients chest with the aid of visualizing scopes.
Less invasive CABG can be performed on a beating or stopped heart
and thus may avoid the need for cardiopulmonary bypass.
[0007] In both conventional and less invasive CABG procedures, the
surgeon has to suture one end of the graft vessel to the coronary
artery and the other end of the graft vessel to a blood supplying
vein or artery, such as the aorta. The suturing process is a time
consuming and difficult procedure requiring a high level of
surgical skill. In order to perform the suturing of the graft to a
target vessel such as the coronary artery or the blood supplying
artery the surgeon generally has an assistant hold the edges of the
incision in the target vessel while the surgeon takes small
stitches as close as possible to the edges of the incision. This
suturing requires a high degree of precision and is quite time
consuming. In addition, during conventional CABG procedures blood
flow at the anastomosis site is stopped during suturing. This
prevents bleeding from the incision site but also prevents blood
from reaching a portion of the heart muscle served by the
vessel.
[0008] Various alternatives to suturing are known for performing
anastomosis. These techniques generally involve securing the tissue
with mechanical fasteners such as staples or fittings which
compress the tissue surfaces together. Sutureless techniques for
performing anastomosis are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,254,650;
3,774,615; 4,350,160; 4,352,358; 4,368,736; 4,523,592; 4,553,542;
4,593,693; 4,607,637; 4,624,255; 4,624,257; 4,657,019; 4,747,407;
4,907,591; 4,917,087; 4,917,090; 4,917,091; 5,119,983; 5,234,447;
5,336,233; 5,366,462; 5,456,714; 5,571,167; 5,669,918; 5,676,670;
5,695,504; 5,702,412; 5,707,380; 5,725,544; 5,797,920; 5,817,113;
and 5,904,697.
[0009] While offering certain advantages over suturing, mechanical
fastening techniques such as stapling still have disadvantages.
Staples, for example, can produce high mechanical loads which may
result in tearing of the tissue around the staples. As a result,
staples cannot be placed too close to the incision cite in the
target vessel.
[0010] Another alternative to suturing in general surgical
procedures is tissue bonding. Tissue bonding methods include
adhesive bonding and tissue welding. Adhesive bonding generally
involves applying a tissue adhesive to either or both of the tissue
mating surfaces and applying clamping pressure until the adhesive
sets. Tissue welding is generally accomplished by heating the
tissue through energy dissipation in the affected tissue. The
energy applied to the tissue can be in the form of electrical power
(usually RF power), light energy (e.g., laser) or ultrasonic
energy. During welding, the heated tissue in the weld region
undergoes cellular dehydration and denaturation of proteins which
results in formation of the weld. Tissue bonding procedures are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,892,098 5,156,613; 5,290,278;
5,300,065; 5,364,389; 5,540,677; 5,611,794; 5,669,934; 5,707,369;
5,749,895; 5,824,015; 5,827,265; and 6,004,335.
[0011] Tissue bonding techniques, however, have met with limited
success when used for performing vascular anastomosis. With tissue
welding, achieving a strong bond requires not only precise control
of energy delivery to the tissue in the weld region but also proper
tissue apposition. Energy delivery is important to ensure that the
desired amount of energy is absorbed by the tissue. Tissue
apposition is important because the sections of tissue to be welded
together must be in substantial abutment and accurate alignment to
ensure that the energy applied to the tissue effectively fuses the
tissue in the weld area. Deficient apposition can cause leakage or
the formation of weak bonds. Tissue apposition is also important
for adhesive bonding where the tissue mating surfaces must be held
in proper position until the adhesive sets. Proper tissue
apposition during vascular anastomosis is particularly difficult to
achieve due to the small size and the flexible, circular
configuration of the blood vessels involved.
[0012] Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a device for
performing vascular anastomosis by tissue bonding. There also
exists a need for a device which provides precise apposition of the
graft and target vessels for tissue bonding during in an
end-to-side anastomosis procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention relates to a system and method for
performing vascular anastomosis by tissue bonding techniques. The
present invention also relates to a method of controlling a tissue
site during an anastomosis procedure wherein a graft vessel and a
target vessel are attached together using a tissue bonding
technique. Suitable tissue bonding techniques include adhesive
bonding and tissue welding. The anastomosis system and method of
the present invention may be used on a pressurized or unpressurized
target vessel.
[0014] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
method of performing anastomosis is provided. The method employs an
anastomosis system including an elongated anvil having tissue
contacting surfaces and a graft vessel fixture movable with respect
to the anvil. The graft vessel fixture further includes clamping
members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to
compress the tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against
the anvil. The method involves steps of: inserting the elongated
anvil through the wall of a target blood vessel and positioning the
elongated anvil along an interior of the target blood vessel wall;
positioning a graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target blood
vessel wall; moving the fixture toward the anvil to clamp the graft
and target vessel tissue between the tissue contacting surfaces of
the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture; and applying
energy to the tissue clamped between the electrode surfaces on the
anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture to secure the graft
and target vessels together. In a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the method also comprises steps of making an
opening in the target vessel to allow blood to flow between the
target vessel and the graft vessel and removing the anvil.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an anastomosis system is provided for connecting a graft vessel to
a target vessel by the application of energy. The anastomosis
system includes an elongated anvil having tissue contacting
surfaces and a graft vessel fixture. The fixture includes clamping
members each of which has one or more clamping surfaces adapted to
compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of
the graft vessel against the anvil. The fixture is movable relative
to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel tissue to
be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the anastomosis
site. Furthermore, the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil
and/or the clamping surfaces of the fixture are provided with one
or more energy applying surfaces.
[0016] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an anvil for use in performing anastomosis between a graft vessel
and a target vessel is provided. The anvil includes a handle and an
elongated anvil arm extending from the handle. The anvil arm has at
least one energy applying surface on an upper tissue contacting
surface thereof.
[0017] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method of performing an anastomosis between a target vessel and
the end of a graft vessel is provided. The method includes steps
of: applying a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft
vessel and/or target vessel; inserting an elongated anvil through
the wall of the target vessel and positioning the anvil along an
interior of the target vessel wall; positioning the end of the
graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target vessel wall; and
curing the adhesive.
[0018] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, an anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a
target vessel using a tissue adhesive is disclosed. The anastomosis
system includes an elongated anvil having tissue contacting
surfaces thereon and a graft vessel fixture including clamping
members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to
compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of
the graft vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the
anvil. The fixture is movable relative to the anvil so as to allow
the graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil
and the fixture at the anastomosis site. The anvil and/or the graft
vessel fixture are provided with one or more tissue adhesive
applicators adapted to supply a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces
of the graft and/or target vessel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention will now be described in greater detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like elements bear like reference
numerals, and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a portion of an anvil
according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion of an anvil arm
according to the present invention having optical fiber ends
exposed at a tissue contacting surface thereof;
[0022] FIG. 1C is a perspective view of a portion of an anvil arm
according to the present invention having an optical fiber assembly
movably mounted in a track therein;
[0023] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 1A being
inserted into a target vessel;
[0024] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the anvil tenting a wall of
a target vessel for an anastomosis procedure;
[0025] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an anvil according to one
embodiment of the present invention having a tissue adhesive
applicator tube;
[0026] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the anvil of FIG. 3A
tenting a wall of a target vessel for an anastomosis procedure;
[0027] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a graft vessel placed
adjacent an exterior of the tented target vessel for the
anastomosis procedure;
[0028] FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a graft vessel placed
adjacent an exterior of the tented target vessel for the
anastomosis procedure wherein the end of the graft vessel has been
split to form two graft vessel flaps;
[0029] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an anastomosis system
including a graft vessel fixture having angled clamping surfaces
and a corresponding anvil;
[0030] FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of graft and target
vessels mounted in the system of FIG. 5A;
[0031] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an anastomosis system with
an anvil having projections;
[0032] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an anastomosis system with
a clamping member having projections;
[0033] FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an anastomosis system with
a clamping member and an anvil having angled clamping surfaces and
projections;
[0034] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the tissue contacting
surface of a fiber holding plate;
[0035] FIG. 7B is a perspective view of one embodiment of a laser
stencil according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
laser stencil according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view showing a graft and target
vessel in position for anastomosis wherein a needle for injecting a
tissue adhesive is inserted through the graft vessel flap;
[0038] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a graft and target
vessel in position for anastomosis wherein a needle for injecting a
tissue adhesive is inserted under the graft vessel flap;
[0039] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a pin
assembly for a graft vessel fixture comprising adhesive applicator
tubes;
[0040] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a graft vessel fixture
comprising the pin assembly of FIG. 9A in position for
anastomosis;
[0041] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
pin assembly for a graft vessel fixture comprising adhesive
applicator tubes;
[0042] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of a graft vessel fixture
comprising the pin assembly of FIG. 10A in position for
anastomosis;
[0043] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a system for controlling a
tissue site and performing anastomosis according to the present
invention;
[0044] FIG. 12A is a cross sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 11, showing a first step of the anastomosis procedure;
[0045] FIG. 12B is a cross sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 11, showing a second step of the anastomosis procedure;
and
[0046] FIG. 12C is a cross sectional view taken along line C-C of
FIG. 11, showing a third step of the anastomosis procedure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The anastomosis system and method according to the present
invention uses an anvil to control and support a tissue site during
an anastomosis procedure wherein the graft and target vessel are
attached together using a tissue bonding procedure such as adhesive
bonding or tissue welding. The anvil is particularly useful for
supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft
vessel to the coronary artery in a coronary artery bypass graft
procedure. The anvil supports the wall of the coronary artery which
is generally very thin, difficult to grasp, and susceptible to
tearing. Although the present invention is particularly useful for
performing anastomosis on blood vessels and for controlling very
thin tissues such as the walls of the coronary arteries, the anvil
may also be used for performing anastomosis on other vessels and
for controlling other tissue sites.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1A, an anvil 10 according to one aspect of
the present invention includes a handle 12 and an anvil arm 14
extending substantially perpendicularly from the handle. As shown
in FIG. 1A, the anvil arm 14 can have a sharp distal end 16 for
puncturing the tissue of a target vessel to insert the anvil arm 14
into the target vessel. In order to apply energy to the tissue at
the anastomosis site, the anvil arm 14 can be provided with at
least one energy applying surface 18 on an upper tissue contacting
surface thereof. Additionally, the anvil arm can be provided with a
sensor 11 such as a temperature or impedance sensor.
[0049] When tissue bonding is accomplished by RF welding, the
tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil arm can be provided with
one or more electrodes for applying RF energy to the weld region.
The anvil arm itself may function as an electrode or one or more
electrically isolated electrode patches may be formed on the tissue
contacting surfaces of the anvil arm. For example, the anvil arm
may comprise two substantially parallel elongated electrode
surfaces on either side of the upper tissue contacting surface of
the anvil arm. Further, there may be a plurality of discontinuous
electrode patches on either side of the upper tissue contacting
surface of the anvil arm each of which is capable of being powered
separately. The anvil arm may also have projections, each of which
can form an electrode surface capable of being powered separately.
By employing a plurality of electrically isolated electrode
patches, spot welds can be formed.
[0050] When tissue bonding is accomplished with laser welding, the
anvil arm can be provided with means for supplying laser energy to
tissue in the weld region. In FIG. 1B, an anvil arm 24 is shown
having multiple optical fibers ends 20 exposed on the tissue
contacting surfaces of the anvil arm for delivery of laser energy
to tissue surfaces adjacent the anvil. As shown, the optical fibers
22 can be routed through the inside of the anvil to a light source
inside or outside of the anvil.
[0051] In FIG. 1C, an alternative embodiment of an anvil arm is
shown which has an energy applying assembly 30 movably mounted in a
track 32 on each side of the anvil arm 34. The energy applying
assembly may include light fibers for application of light energy,
electrodes for applying electrical or RF energy or other energy
applying members. The track 32 allows the exposed optical fiber
ends or electrodes 36 to be moved along the length of the anvil arm
in the direction D. By powering the optical fibers or electrodes
and moving the energy applying assembly along the length of the
anvil, a continuous weld line can be formed on each side of the
anvil. Further, the energy may be pulsed to form an intermittent
weld line.
[0052] In addition to an energy applying surface, the anvil may
also be provided with one or more sensors. For example, one or more
temperature or impedance sensors 38 may be incorporated into the
anvil to accurately measure the temperature of the intimal surface
of the target vessel during the tissue welding process. Various
temperature measuring devices which could be used for this purpose
are known in the art including, but not limited to, thermocouples,
thermistors and resistance temperature devices (RTDs). Measurement
of the temperature can allow for feedback control of the tissue
welding process to prevent overheating and damage to the intimal
surfaces of the target vessel. The power supplied to the electrodes
can be modulated in response to the output from the sensor.
[0053] In the case of RF welding, the sensor may also be an
impedance sensor used to monitor the amount of energy being
delivered to the tissue thus allowing power to be modulated based
on measured values of tissue impedance. Tissue impedance may be
measured during application of therapeutic energy or by supplying a
small amount of non-therapeutic energy to the electrodes. The anvil
may also be provided with a cooling ability to prevent overheating
of the tissue of the target vessel. Examples of cooling means
suitable for use with the anvil include heat sinks and
micro-fluidic cooling channels for the circulation of a heat
transfer fluid.
[0054] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, the anvil arm 14 can be inserted
into a pressurized or un-pressurized target vessel 42 by puncturing
the target vessel with the sharp distal end 16 of the anvil arm.
The hole in the target vessel 42 can also be made in a separate
step in which case the anvil 10 does not need to have a sharp
distal end. The hole which is formed in the wall of the target
vessel 42 by the anvil arm 14 is preferably small enough to prevent
significant bleeding through the puncture site. The hole is
preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1 mm in
width. The anvil arm 14 also preferably has a substantially uniform
cross-section along its length to allow for puncture of the vessel
and insertion through the vessel wall yet still capable of
providing support to the tissue of the vessel during anastomosis.
The anvil arm 14 is depicted as being round in cross-section in
FIG. 2A but other cross sectional shapes may be used such as
polygonal, ovoid, etc. One example of an anvil arm 14 according to
the present invention has a height and a width of about 2 mm or
less, preferably about 1 mm or less, and a length of about 2 to 15
mm, preferably 5 to 12 mm. The length of the anvil arm 14 will vary
depending on the diameter of the graft vessel selected. Preferably,
a length to width ratio of the anvil arm 14 is between 2:1 and
15:1.
[0055] Once the anvil arm 14 has been inserted into the target
vessel 42, the anvil arm 14 is pulled against an inner wall of the
target vessel causing tenting of the thin tissue of the vessel wall
as illustrated in FIG. 2B. This tenting of the vessel wall provides
control over the anastomosis site during an anastomosis procedure.
During tenting of the target vessel 42, the upper or tissue
contacting surface of the anvil is brought into contact with the
tissue on the interior of the target artery.
[0056] In FIG. 3A, an anvil 13 is shown having an external
applicator for supplying a tissue adhesive to the bond region. The
applicator includes a tube 15 with two sets of holes 17 on opposite
sides of the tube. The tube is threaded through a hole in the
handle 12 to an internal or external adhesive supply (not shown).
The applicator tube 15 is spaced from the anvil arm such that when
the anvil arm 14 is inserted in a target vessel, the applicator
tube remains external to the target vessel. In use, adhesive is
forced down the tube 15 and emerges through the holes 17 in the
applicator tube. The adhesive can be applied before or after the
graft vessel is brought into position for anastomosis. In an
alternative embodiment, the external glue applicator can be part of
an external cutter assembly for forming an incision in the target
vessel.
[0057] FIG. 3B shows the anvil of FIG. 3A inserted into the wall of
a target vessel 42. As shown, the applicator tube 15 is in position
on the exterior of the target vessel 42 to deliver adhesive to the
bond region on either side of the applicator tube 15.
[0058] FIG. 4A shows a graft vessel 50 positioned adjacent an
exterior of the target vessel 42 at the anastomosis site. In FIG.
4B, an alternative embodiment is shown where an end of the graft
vessel 50 has been split in preparation for grafting to form two
graft vessel flaps 56. The tented portion of the target vessel 42
is positioned inside the graft vessel 50 in the step of FIG. 4B
with one of the graft vessel flaps 56 on either side of the anvil
10.
[0059] With the graft vessel positioned as shown in FIG. 4A or 4B,
a graft vessel fixture can then be employed to compress the graft
vessel tissue against the anvil in preparation for tissue welding.
The graft vessel fixture includes at least two clamping members
having clamping surfaces which compress the graft and target vessel
tissue against opposing portions of the anvil on opposite sides of
the graft vessel. The graft vessel may be mounted in the fixture
prior to positioning the graft vessel against the target vessel.
Alternatively, the graft vessel can be positioned against the wall
of the target vessel before the graft vessel fixture is brought
into position.
[0060] The clamping members of the graft vessel fixture can have
various forms. FIG. 5A shows a system for performing anastomosis
comprising a graft vessel fixture 60 having clamping members 62
with angled clamping surfaces 64. An anvil 66 having corresponding
angled surfaces 68 is also shown in FIG. 5A. To effectuate tissue
welding, the clamping surfaces 64 of the clamping members 62 can be
provided with energy applying surfaces such as electrodes for RF
power application, exposed optical fiber ends for laser energy
application, or vibrating surfaces for ultrasonic power
application.
[0061] FIG. 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG.
5A with the graft vessel 50 and target vessel 42 in position for
clamping. As shown, the end of the graft vessel 50 has been split
to form two graft vessel flaps 56 which are held in position
against the clamping members 62 by pins 76.
[0062] When tissue bonding is accomplished with RF energy, the
energy applying surfaces on the graft vessel fixture comprise one
or more electrodes. The electrodes can be either continuous or
segmented. In the case of the fixture having angled clamping
surfaces 64 as shown in FIG. 5A, the electrodes are preferably
arranged as vertical strips (oriented in the graft vessel
direction) or horizontal strips (oriented in the target vessel
direction). The use of vertical strips is particularly preferred
since it allows for less precision in the positioning of the
fixture. The vertical strips can also be used to reduce or minimize
the flap of unbonded target vessel tissue adjacent the incision
formed in the target vessel wall.
[0063] Various clamping member and anvil arrangements are shown in
FIGS. 6A-6C. These arrangements are particularly suitable for use
with RF tissue welding. For purposes of clarity, only one clamping
member is shown.
[0064] FIG. 6A shows an embodiment wherein the clamping members 80
comprise two parallel arms or pins which serve as electrodes and
which form two elongated clamping surfaces with the anvil 82. As
shown, the anvil 82 has a plurality of projections 84. In the case
of RF tissue welding, each of these projections 84 can be
electrically isolated and powered separately by conductors threaded
through the interior of the anvil arm.
[0065] FIG. 6B shows an embodiment wherein the clamping members 86
comprise a plurality of projections 88 each of which forms a
separate clamping surface with the anvil 90. In the case of RF
welding, each of these projections 88 can be electrically isolated
from the other projections so that power can be applied
sequentially to individual electrode projections.
[0066] FIG. 6C shows a clamping member 92 having a triangular
cross-section and a corresponding anvil 94 having angled tissue
contacting surfaces with projections 96.
[0067] The clamping surfaces can also be provided with teeth-like
projections having triangular cross-sections or with projections
having other cross-sectional shapes. Further, the projections can
be provided on both the clamping surfaces of the clamping members
and the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil. The projections on
the anvil and/or clamping members can help to increase the surface
area in the bond region thus increasing bond strength. The
projections can also provide mechanical interlocking of the graft
and target vessel tissue. Clamping pressure can be applied before,
during and/or after the application of welding energy to improve
tissue weld formation.
[0068] In the case of RF tissue welding, the external electrodes
can also be provided with sharp spikes which become embedded in the
graft vessel tissue when the graft and target vessels are clamped
together. The spikes in the electrodes become embedded in the
target vessel tissue during clamping and allow the RF energy to be
applied closer to the interface between the graft and target
vessels.
[0069] In the case of laser welding, the clamping surfaces of the
graft fixture can comprise a fiber holding plate or a laser
stencil. An example of a fiber holding plate is shown in FIG. 7A.
FIG. 7A is a view of the front or tissue clamping surface of the
fiber holding plate 100. The fiber holding plate 100 includes a
plurality of optical fibers 102 having ends 104 exposed at the
tissue contacting surfaces of the fiber holding plate.
[0070] In an alternative embodiment, the external clamping surfaces
can be in the form of a laser stencil. Two embodiments of a stencil
are shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C. In FIG. 7B, a laser stencil 106 is
shown having elongated openings 108 in a central portion thereof.
The openings allow the laser energy to contact exposed portions of
the underlying tissue. In FIG. 7C, a comb shaped stencil 110 is
shown having projections 112 which form openings therebetween. In
use, a powered laser is moved across the laser stencil to create
welds in the underlying tissue.
[0071] In the case of ultrasonic welding, the clamping surfaces can
be provided with a device similar to the fiber plate discussed
above wherein the optical fibers have been replaced with wires
which can be used to transmit ultrasonic energy. Alternatively, the
clamping surfaces can be provided with projections and the entire
clamping surface can be vibrated. The ultrasonic energy can be
produced by means of ultrasonic transducers such as piezo-electric
stacks or magneto-restrictive elements or by other means known in
the art.
[0072] Ultrasonic or vibrational energy can also be used in
combination with other tissue welding techniques such as RF or
laser welding. By vibrating the anvil and/or clamping surfaces
before, during or after tissue welding, improved tissue welds can
be formed.
[0073] In the case of adhesive bonding, the adhesive can be applied
to the tissue mating surfaces of the graft and/or target vessels
before the surfaces are brought into contact. The adhesive may be
applied to either or both of the mating surfaces of the graft and
target vessels. The adhesive may be a one part or a two part
adhesive. Further, the curing of the adhesive may be activated by
light or heat energy. The adhesive may be applied as a liquid or as
a solid film. Preferred adhesive materials include collagen,
albumin, fibrin, hydrogel and glutaraldehyde. Other adhesives such
as cyano-acrylates may also be used.
[0074] In an alternative embodiment, the tissue mating surfaces can
be brought into position for anastomosis before the tissue adhesive
is applied to the interface region between the graft and target
vessels. This procedure is particularly preferred when fast curing
adhesives such as certain of the cyano-acrylates are employed. The
adhesive can be supplied to the mating surfaces through holes made
in the graft vessel in a previous step. Alternatively, the adhesive
may be injected through the graft vessel tissue using one or more
needles as shown in FIG. 8A.
[0075] FIG. 8A shows a cross-sectional view of a graft vessel 50
and target vessel 42 in position for anastomosis. As shown, the
target vessel 42 is tented by an anvil 14 and the end of the graft
vessel 50 has been split to form two graft vessel flaps 56. A
needle 114 is shown inserted through one of the graft vessel flap
such that a tissue adhesive can be injected into the interface
between the graft and target vessel. Although only one needle is
shown, a plurality of needles can be simultaneously deployed on
either side of the graft vessel to form spot bonds. Additionally,
external clamping members can be deployed against the anvil
surfaces before, during, and/or after the adhesive has been
injected to improve the bond strength.
[0076] FIG. 8B shows an alternative embodiment wherein a needle 116
is inserted under the graft vessel flap. Although a needle is
shown, a flexible tube may also be used to facilitate removal of
the adhesive applicator. As with the embodiment of FIG. 8A, a
plurality of needles or flexible tubes can be deployed on either
side of the graft vessel 50. The adhesive can be injected while the
needle or tube is being retracted in the direction 118 to form
adhesive bond lines. As with the embodiment of FIG. 8A, external
clamping members can be deployed to clamp the graft and target
vessel tissue against the anvil surfaces before, during, and/or
after adhesive has been injected.
[0077] The adhesive applying needles or tubes may be a part of a
graft vessel fixture or clamp as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In FIG.
9A, a pin assembly 120 for a graft vessel fixture is shown
comprising two parallel arms 122 for trapping the graft vessel
against clamping members (not shown). The parallel arms 122 include
a plurality of tubes 124 for supplying a tissue adhesive to the
bond region. The adhesive supplying tubes 124 extend upwardly and
inwardly from each of the parallel arms 122. The tubes 124 may be
flexible to facilitate removal after the anastomosis procedure has
been performed.
[0078] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of a graft vessel fixture
126 comprising the pin assembly 120 of FIG. 9A in position for an
anastomosis procedure. An anvil arm 14 is shown tenting the wall of
the target vessel 42. As shown, the parallel arms 122 of the pin
assembly 120 trap the flaps 56 of a graft vessel 50 against
clamping members 128 of the fixture 126. The adhesive applicator
tubes 124 extend from the parallel arms 122 upwardly and inwardly
such that an adhesive injected through the tubes is deposited in
the bond region 130.
[0079] In FIG. 10A an alternative embodiment of a pin assembly for
a graft vessel fixture is shown. The pin assembly 132 comprises two
parallel arms 134 each of which is provided with an adhesive
applicator tube 136. The adhesive applicator tubes 136 extend
parallel to the parallel arms 134 of the pin assembly 132. The
tubes 136 are provided with a plurality of holes 138.
[0080] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view of a graft vessel fixture
139 comprising the pin assembly 120 of FIG. 10A in position for an
anastomosis procedure. An anvil arm 14 is shown tenting the wall of
the target vessel 42. As shown, the parallel arms 134 of the pin
assembly 132 trap the flaps 56 of a graft vessel 50 against
clamping members 128 of the fixture 126. The adhesive applicator
tubes 136 extend parallel to the arms 122 of the fixture with the
holes 138 oriented such that an adhesive injected through the tubes
is deposited in the bond region 130.
[0081] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention,
after tissue bonding has been completed, an incision is formed in
the wall of the target vessel to allow blood flow between the
target vessel and the graft vessel. The incision may be made before
or during withdrawal of the anvil arm from the target vessel. The
withdrawal of the anvil arm preferably leaves only a small gap in
the target vessel and therefore only minimal blood leakage occurs
at the location where the anvil arm has been withdrawn.
[0082] Various cutting devices may be used to make the incision in
the target vessel according to the present invention. Suitable
cutting devices, for example, are disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/363,255, entitled "Anastomosis System and
Method of Controlling a Tissue Site", filed Jul. 28, 1999. Cutting
devices which are either internal or external to the anvil may be
employed. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting device can be an
electro-cautery cutting device electrically connected to a power
source to form an electrode. By causing electric current to flow
through the tissue between the electrode surfaces on the anvil and
the cutting device, the incision can be cauterized. The cautery
action can cause the tissue surrounding the incision to shrink
thereby opening up the incision in the target vessel and thus
allowing for increased blood flow between the target and graft
vessels.
[0083] FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a system 140 for controlling
a tissue site and performing anastomosis according to one
embodiment of the present invention. The system shown uses RF
energy to accomplish tissue welding. However, the system could be
adapted for other tissue bonding techniques such as laser welding,
ultrasonic welding or adhesive bonding.
[0084] The system 140 includes an anvil 142 and a graft vessel
holder 146 all mounted on a handle 148. For purposes of clarity,
the cutter is not shown. The anvil 142 is mounted on the handle 148
and connected to an actuator 150 which allows the anvil to be moved
downward against the bias of a spring inside the handle. The cutter
144 may be spring biased or fixed and is positioned on the handle
148 directly above the anvil 142. The graft vessel holder 146
includes two fixed arms 152 and two movable arms 154. The two
movable arms 154 are connected to a second actuator 156 on the
handle 148. Depression of the second actuator 156 against the bias
of a spring within the handle 148 causes the movable arms 154 to be
moved downward away from the fixed arms to receive portions of a
graft vessel between the movable and fixed arms. Electrodes 145 are
mounted on the fixed upper arms 152 of the graft vessel holder 145.
These electrodes 145 have projections 147 extending inwardly toward
the opposite fixed arm of the graft vessel holder 146. In use, each
of the projections 147 forms a clamping surface with the anvil
142.
[0085] The operation of the system 140 of FIG. 11 is shown in the
cross sectional views of FIGS. 12A-12C. As shown in FIG. 12A, an
end of a graft vessel 151 has been split to form two graft vessel
flaps 153 which can be held in position by the graft vessel holder
146. In order to load the graft vessel 151 into the system 140, the
first actuator 150 and the second actuator 156 are depressed to
move the anvil 142 and the movable arms 154 downward. The split
graft vessel 151 is then inserted between the fixed and movable
arms 152 and 154 and the second actuator 156 is released to trap
the flaps 153 of the graft vessel 151, as shown in FIG. 12B. The
anvil 142 having an electrode surface 155 is then inserted into the
target vessel 157 as described above with respect to the various
other anvil embodiments.
[0086] Once the anvil 142 has been inserted in the target vessel
157 as shown in FIG. 12B, the actuator 150 is released to allow the
anvil to move upward to tent the wall of the target vessel 157. The
electrode surface 155 of the anvil 142 is thus brought into contact
with the interior wall of the target vessel 157. FIG. 12C
illustrates the tented target vessel 157 positioned adjacent the
split and trapped graft vessel 151 in a position for performing
anastomosis. The projections of the external electrodes 147 are now
in contact with the external wall of the graft vessel 151. The
external and internal electrodes 147 and 155 are connected to the
opposite poles of a power source such as a bipolar RF generator.
Power is then applied to either the internal or external electrodes
causing current to flow through the tissue compressed between the
external and internal electrodes to weld the graft and target
vessels together. Once the tissue welding is complete, the anvil
142 is removed and the incision in the target vessel is made. The
incision can be made during withdrawal of the anvil 142 by an
electro-cautery cutting device 160 as described above.
[0087] The above system can be modified for different
internal/external electrode configurations as set forth above.
Furthermore, either the internal or external electrodes can be
powered with the other electrode or electrodes serving as the
return.
[0088] The above system can also be adapted for laser or ultrasonic
tissue welding by replacing the external electrodes with a fiber or
wire holding plate. Alternatively, in the case of laser tissue
welding, the anvil can be provided with optical fibers having ends
exposed at a tissue contacting surface thereof.
[0089] In the case of tissue welding, the tissue welds may be
strengthened by the use of known fillers (e.g., collagen or
albumin) or adhesives which can be activated by the heat generated
during the tissue welding procedure. The adhesive or filler may be
placed between the graft and target vessel tissue surfaces prior to
apposition in the form of a liquid or strips of a solid adhesive
film. Alternatively, the tissue adhesive or filler can be injected
after tissue apposition in a manner as set forth in FIGS. 8-10.
[0090] While the invention has been described in detail with
reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made and equivalents employed, without departing from the
present invention.
* * * * *