U.S. patent application number 11/615752 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-10 for method for connecting vessels.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARDICA, INC.. Invention is credited to Bernard A. Hausen, Michael Hendricksen, Jamey Nielsen, Jaime Vargas, Stephen A. Yencho.
Application Number | 20070106312 11/615752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23219322 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070106312 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vargas; Jaime ; et
al. |
May 10, 2007 |
Method for Connecting Vessels
Abstract
A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel may
utilize an integrated tool that includes a movable cam having a
number of discrete slots defined therein. The method may include
moving the cam, creating an opening in the wall of the target
vessel with the integrated tool; and advancing an anastomosis
device at least partially into the opening with the integrated
tool, where moving the cam causes both the creating of the opening
and the advancing of the anastomosis device.
Inventors: |
Vargas; Jaime; (Palo Alto,
CA) ; Yencho; Stephen A.; (Menlo Park, CA) ;
Nielsen; Jamey; (San Francisco, CA) ; Hendricksen;
Michael; (Menlo Park, CA) ; Hausen; Bernard A.;
(Menlo Park, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CARDICA, INC.
900 SAGINAW DRIVE
REDWOOD CITY
CA
94063
US
|
Assignee: |
CARDICA, INC.
900 Saginaw Drive
Redwood City
CA
94063
|
Family ID: |
23219322 |
Appl. No.: |
11/615752 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09946791 |
Sep 4, 2001 |
7175637 |
|
|
11615752 |
Dec 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
09314278 |
May 18, 1999 |
6428550 |
|
|
09946791 |
Sep 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/1107 20130101;
A61B 17/3415 20130101; A61B 2017/1135 20130101; A61B 2018/00392
20130101; A61F 2/064 20130101; A61B 17/064 20130101; A61B
2017/00247 20130101; A61B 17/3439 20130101; A61B 17/0644 20130101;
A61B 17/11 20130101; A61B 2017/0641 20130101; A61B 17/32053
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/153 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/08 20060101
A61B017/08 |
Claims
1. A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel having
a lumen therethrough and a wall about said lumen, comprising:
providing an integrated tool comprising a movable cam having a
plurality of discrete slots defined therein; providing an
anastomosis device connected to said integrated tool; moving said
cam; creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel with said
integrated tool; and advancing said anastomosis device at least
partially into the opening with said integrated tool; wherein said
moving causes both said creating and said advancing.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising deploying said
anastomosis device after said advancing.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said deploying comprises radially
expanding at least a portion of said anastomosis device.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said deploying comprising forming
at least one flange on said anastomosis device.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein said deploying comprises forming
a flange on said anastomosis device within the lumen of the target
vessel; and retracting said anastomosis device such that said
flange engages the inner surface of the target vessel wall.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein said moving causes at least one
of said forming and said retracting.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein said deploying comprises forming
a flange on said anastomosis device; and seating said flange
against the wall of the target vessel after said forming.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein said moving causes at least one
of said forming and said seating.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein said moving causes said
deploying.
10. The method of claim 2, wherein said anastomosis tool includes a
holder tube to which said anastomosis device is connected, and an
expander, at least part of which is positioned within said holder
tube; wherein said deploying includes sliding said expander
relative to said holder tube and said anastomosis device.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein said deploying includes
advancing said holder tube distally, then advancing said expander
distally relative to said holder tube.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said advancing said expander
including advancing the distal end of said expander from a location
proximal to said anastomosis device to a location within said
anastomosis device.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising positioning said
holder tube and said expander outside of the lumen of the graft
vessel.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein said cam is pivotable, and
wherein said moving comprises pivoting said cam.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said pivoting is about an axis
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said
integrated tool.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising substantially
maintaining hemostasis at the opening after said creating, and
before completing the anastomosis.
17. The method of claim 1, further comprising everting an end of
the graft vessel onto the distal end of said anastomosis device
before said moving.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising puncturing the wall
of graft vessel with said anastomosis device to hold the graft
vessel on said anastomosis device.
19. An anastomosis device for connecting a graft vessel to a target
vessel, the device comprising: a unitary hollow structure with open
ends, comprising a first linkage comprising a plurality of struts
and a plurality of axial members, each said strut connected to at
least one said axial member, said first linkage expandable from a
first configuration in which said first linkage is a substantially
smooth shape to a second configuration in which said first linkage
includes at least one first outwardly extending flange, a second
linkage configured to form at least one second outwardly extending
flange; and a connecting portion configured to connect said first
linkage to said second linkage and space apart said first linkage
and said second linkage.
20. The anastomosis device of claim 19, wherein said hollow
structure has a substantially circular cross-section in said first
configuration.
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/946,791, filed on Sep. 4, 2001; which in turn is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/314,278, filed
on May 18, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,550; all of which are
hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an anastomosis method for forming a
sutureless connection between two blood vessels.
BACKGROUND
[0003] 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).
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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
the coronary artery and the blood supplying artery the surgeon must
have relatively unobstructed access to the anastomosis sites within
the patient. In the less invasive surgical approaches, some of the
major anastomosis sites cannot be easily reached by the surgeon
because of their location. This makes suturing either difficult or
impossible without opening up the chest cavity.
[0006] An additional problem with CABG is the formation of thrombi
and atherosclerotic lesions at and around the grafted artery, which
can result in the reoccurrence of ischemia. Thrombi and
atherosclerotic lesions may be caused by the configuration of the
sutured anastomosis site. For example, an abrupt edge at the
anastomosis site may cause more calcification than a more gradual
transition. However, the preferred gradual transition is difficult
to achieve with conventional suturing methods.
[0007] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a sutureless
vascular anastomosis device which easily connects a graft to a
target vessel. It would also be desirable to provide a sutureless
anastomosis device which is formed of one piece and is secured to
the target vessel in a single step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] 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:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use with a graft
vessel everted over the device;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use with a graft
vessel everted over the device;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 3 in a deployed configuration;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use with a graft
vessel everted over the device;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 5 in a deployed configuration;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use with a graft
vessel everted over the device;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 7 in a deployed configuration;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use with a graft
vessel everted over the device;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 9 with a bottom flange in a deployed configuration;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 9 with a bottom flange and a top flange both in deployed
configurations;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side view of a portion of a sixth embodiment of
an anastomosis device which has been laid flat for ease of
illustration;
[0021] FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of a seventh embodiment
of an anastomosis device which has been laid flat for ease of
illustration;
[0022] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an anastomosis device
deployment system;
[0023] FIG. 14A is an enlarged perspective view of the distal end
of the anastomosis device deployment system of FIG. 14 with an
anastomosis device prior to deployment;
[0024] FIG. 15 is a side cross sectional view of the anastomosis
device deployment system puncturing the target vessel to advance
the anastomosis device into the target vessel wall;
[0025] FIG. 16 is a side cross sectional view of the anastomosis
device deployment system advancing the anastomosis device into the
target vessel wall;
[0026] FIG. 17 is a side cross sectional view of the anastomosis
device deployment system with an expanded first annular flange;
[0027] FIG. 18 is a side cross sectional view of the anastomosis
device deployment system expanding a second annular flange;
[0028] FIG. 19 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a
deployment tool taken along line A-A of FIG. 14, the deployment
tool is shown during a vessel puncturing step;
[0029] FIG. 20 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the
deployment tool of FIG. 19 shown during an anastomosis device
insertion step;
[0030] FIG. 21 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the
deployment tool of FIG. 19 shown during an anastomosis device
expansion step;
[0031] FIG. 22 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the
deployment tool of FIG. 19 shown after the anastomosis device has
been fully deployed;
[0032] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a eighth embodiment of an
anastomosis device in a configuration prior to use;
[0033] FIG. 23A is a side view of a portion of the anastomosis
device of FIG. 23 prior to folding a tab of the device inward;
[0034] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the anastomosis device of
FIG. 23 in a deployed configuration;
[0035] FIG. 25 is a side view of a portion of a ninth embodiment of
an anastomosis device which has been laid flat for ease of
illustration;
[0036] FIG. 26 is a side view of a portion of a tenth embodiment of
an anastomosis device which has been laid flat for ease of
illustration;
[0037] FIG. 27 is a side view of a portion of an eleventh
embodiment of an anastomosis device which has been laid flat for
ease of illustration;
[0038] FIG. 28 is a side view of an eleventh embodiment of an
anastomosis device which has been laid flat for ease of
illustration; and
[0039] FIG. 29 is a top view of the anastomosis device of FIG. 28
with a flange deployed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] The present invention relates to an anastomosis device and
method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the
use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device according to
the present invention can be deployed with a deployment system
which greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be
performed over prior art suturing methods. In addition, the
anastomosis device provides a smooth transition between the graft
vessel and the target vessel. The devices according to the present
invention are particularly designed for use in connecting graft
vessels to blood delivery or target vessels. Suturing a graft
vessel to a target vessel is difficult with conventional
techniques, particularly in minimally invasive procedures where
space may be limited. However, with an anastomosis device and
deployment system of the present invention, anastomosis can be
performed efficiently and effectively in tight spaces.
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an anastomosis device 10 according to a
first embodiment of the present invention. The anastomosis device
10 includes a plurality of axial members 12 and a plurality of
struts 14 interconnecting the axial members. The axial members 12
and struts 14 form a first linkage 16 at a first end of the device
and a second linkage 18 at a second end of the device. The first
and second linkages 16, 18 form first and second flanges 20, 22
when the anastomosis device 10 is deployed as illustrated in FIG.
2. The-deployed flanges 20, 22 may be annular ring shaped or
conical in shape. The first and second linkages 16, 18 are
connected by a central connecting portion 24.
[0042] In use, a graft vessel 30 is inserted through a center of
the tubular anastomosis device 10 and is everted over the first
linkage 16 at the first end of the device. The first end of the
device may puncture part way or all the way through the graft
vessel wall to hold the graft vessel 30 on the device. An opening
34 is formed in the target vessel 32 to receive the graft vessel 30
and anastomosis device 10. Once the anastomosis device 10 with
everted graft vessel 30 are inserted through the opening 34 in the
target vessel 32, the first and second flanges 20, 22 are formed as
shown in FIG. 2 to secure the graft vessel to the target vessel by
trapping the wall of the target vessel between the two flanges. The
anastomosis device 10 forms a smooth transition between the target
vessel 32 and the graft vessel 30 which helps to prevent thrombi
formation.
[0043] The first and second flanges 20, 22 are formed by radial
expansion of the anastomosis device 10 as follows. The first and
second linkages 16, 18 are each made up of a plurality of axial
members 12 and struts 14. The struts 14 are arranged in a plurality
of diamond shapes with adjacent diamond shapes connected to each
other to form a continuous ring of diamond shapes around the
device. One axial member 12 extends through a center of each of the
diamond shapes formed by the struts 14. A reduced thickness section
26 or hinge in each of the axial members 12 provides a location for
concentration of bending of the axial members. When an expansion
member such as a tapered rod or an inflatable balloon is inserted
into the tubular anastomosis device 10 and used to radially expand
the device, each of the diamond shaped linkages of struts 14 are
elongated in a circumferential direction causing a top and bottom
of each of the diamond shapes to move closer together. As the top
and bottom of the diamond shapes move closer together, the axial
members 12 bend along the reduced thickness sections 26 folding the
ends of the device outward to form the first and second flanges 20,
22. Once the first and second flanges 20, 22 have been formed, the
wall of the target vessel 32 is trapped between the flanges and the
everted graft vessel 30 is secured to the target vessel.
[0044] In the anastomosis device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
struts 14 may be straight or curved members having constant or
varying thicknesses. In addition, the axial members 12 may have the
reduced thickness sections 26 positioned at a center of each of the
diamond shapes or off center inside the diamond shapes. The
positioning and size of the reduced thickness sections 26 will
determine the location of the flanges 20, 22 and an angle the
flanges make with an axis of the device when fully deployed. A
final angle between the flanges 20, 22 and longitudinal axis of the
device 10 is about 40-100 degrees, preferably about 50-90
degrees.
[0045] FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a tubular
anastomosis device 40 formed of a plurality of struts 42
interconnected in a diamond pattern. A first end of the device
includes a plurality of interior diamonds 44 positioned within the
diamonds formed by the plurality of struts 42. When the device is
deployed, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the interior diamonds 44 fold
outward to form a first annular flange 46. A second end of the
device 40 includes a plurality of pull tabs 48 each having a
T-shaped end 50 to be received in a corresponding slot in a
deployment device. The deployment device holds the anastomosis
device 40 during positioning and deployment of the first flange 46.
Once the first annular flange 46 has been formed, the pull tabs 48
are folded radially outward and downward in the direction of the
arrows B to form a second annular flange (not shown). Although the
pull tabs 48 have been illustrated with T-shaped ends, the pull
tabs may have other configurations such as loops which engage hooks
of a deployment device.
[0046] In use, the graft vessel 30 is inserted through a center of
the tubular anastomosis device 40 and everted over the first end of
the device as shown in FIG. 3. An opening 34 is formed in the
target vessel 32 and the anastomosis device 40 with the everted
graft vessel 30 are inserted through the opening 34 in the target
vessel. An expander is then advanced axially through the
anastomosis device 40 to radially expand the device and cause the
deployment of the first annular flange 46. During advancement of
the expander, the device 40 is held in place by the deployment
device which is connected to the T-shaped ends 50 of the pull tabs
48. After deployment of the first annular flange 46 the expander is
removed and the pull tabs 48 are disconnected from the deployment
device and folded outward in the direction of the arrows B in FIG.
4 to form the second annular flange. The wall of the target vessel
32 is trapped between the first and second annular flanges.
[0047] In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the interior diamonds 44
which form the first annular flange 46 each include top and bottom
reduced thickness connection members 54 which connect the interior
diamonds 44 to the struts 42. Each of the interior diamonds 44 also
include a U-shaped web member 56 and two reduced thickness portions
58 located at opposite sides of the interior diamonds. As the
device 40 is radially expanded, the diamond shapes formed by the
struts 42 become more elongated in a circumferential direction,
shortening the height of each of these diamond shapes. As the
height of the diamond shapes formed by the struts 42 decreases, the
interior diamonds 44 are folded outward into the configuration
illustrated in FIG. 4. When the device 40 is fully expanded and the
first annular flange 46 is fully formed, the diamonds which
originally surrounded the interior diamonds 44 are completely
extended and the struts 42 which originally formed the diamonds are
parallel or substantially parallel. The interior diamonds 44 are
each folded in half at the reduced thickness portions 58 or hinges.
para
[0048] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of a tubular
anastomosis device 60 having a plurality of struts 62, interior
diamonds 64, and a plurality of pull tabs 68. The anastomosis
device 60 of FIGS. 5 and 6 differs from the anastomosis device 40
of FIGS. 3 and 4 in the arrangement of the interior diamonds 64.
The interior diamonds 64, as illustrated in FIG. 5, are connected
to the surrounding struts 62 by three connection members 70. The
connection members 70 are located at opposite sides of each of the
interior diamonds 64 and at the bottom of the interior diamonds. A
top corner 72 of each of the interior diamonds 64 is not connected
to the struts and folds inward upon expansion of the device.
[0049] With this embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, as an expander is
inserted axially through the anastomosis device 60, the top corners
72 of each of the interior diamonds 64 fold inwardly while a bottom
edge of the device folds outwardly to form the first annular flange
66. The expander may also push on the inwardly folded top corners
72 of the interior diamonds 64 to further bend the first flange 66
outward. The device 60 also includes a plurality of pointed ends 74
which puncture the everted graft vessel 30 and help to retain the
graft vessel on the anastomosis device 60.
[0050] In use, the anastomosis device 60 is provided with a graft
vessel 30 which is inserted through a center of the device and
everted over the pointed ends 74 and interior diamonds 64 of the
device. The anastomosis device 60 and everted graft vessel 30 are
then inserted in the opening 34 in the target vessel 32 and the
first annular flange 66 is deployed by expansion of the device with
an axially movable expander. After formation of the first annular
flange 66, the pull tabs 68 are folded downward and outward in the
direction of the arrows B illustrated in FIG. 6 to form the second
annular flange and trap the wall of the target vessel between the
first and second annular flanges.
[0051] An alternative embodiment of an anastomosis device 80
illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes two rows of diamond-shaped
members 82 which fold outward to form the first and second annular
flanges 84, 86. Each of the diamond-shaped members 82 is connected
to M-shaped struts 88 at one end and to V-shaped struts 90 at an
opposite end. The diamond-shaped members 82 are connected only at
the top end and bottom end. A central connecting portion 92 of the
device 80 includes a plurality of large diamond-shaped support
members 94. As an expander is inserted into the device 80, the
device expands from a configuration illustrated in FIG. 7 to the
configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the first and second
annular flanges 84, 86 have been formed. During expansion, the
M-shaped struts 88 and the V-shaped struts 90 are extended to
straight or substantially straight members and the large diamond
support members 94 move away from one another. The diamond-shaped
members 82 each fold in half at reduced thickness portions 96 as in
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0052] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of an
anastomosis device 100 according to the present invention. The
device 100 includes a plurality of axial members 102 having reduced
thickness portions 104. Each of the axial members 102 is positioned
within a multi-sided expandable linkage 106. A central connecting
portion 108 connects the expandable linkage 106 to a plurality of
pull tabs 110. Each of the pull tabs 110 has a T-shaped end 112
which is received in a corresponding slot in a deployment device to
hold the anastomosis device 100 during insertion and expansion.
However, other pull tab shapes may also be used. As an expander is
inserted axially into the anastomosis device 100, the linkage 106
expands causing the axial members 102 to fold along the reduced
thickness portions 104 and extend radially outward forming a first
radial flange 114, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The first radial
flange 114 may be configured to extend at an acute angle from an
axis of anastomosis device 100 or may be folded to form an angle of
up to 90 degrees or greater. The angle between the axis of
anastomosis device and the lower portion of the axial members 102
after the first radial flange 114 has been deployed is preferably
between about 40 and 100 degrees. After the first radial flange has
been deployed, the pull tabs 110 are disengaged from the deployment
device and folded outwards in the direction of the arrows B to form
a second radial flange 116 as illustrated in FIG. 11. To disengage
and fold the pull tabs 110 outwards, the deployment device is moved
distally with respect to the anastomosis device. The first and
second radial flanges 114, 116 trap a wall of the target vessel 32
between the flanges and thus secure the everted graft vessel 30 to
the target vessel.
[0053] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate alternative embodiments of the
device 100 of FIGS. 9 through 11. The expandable tubular
anastomosis device 120 of FIG. 12 has been cut and laid flat for
ease of illustration. The device 120 includes a plurality of axial
members 122 having hinges 124 in the form of U-shaped grooves. The
axial members 122 are each mounted at opposite ends in an
expandable linkage 126. The expandable linkage 126 is at one end of
the device 120 while an opposite end of the device includes a
plurality pull tabs 130. The pull tabs 130 and linkage 126 are
connected by a central connecting portion 128. Each of the pull
tabs 130 has a T-shaped end 132, a shoulder 134, and a triangular
slot 136. Extending from an end of each of the pull tabs 130
opposite the T-shaped ends 132 is a tab lock 138.
[0054] In use, the anastomosis device 120 of FIG. 12 is used in a
manner substantially similar to that of the device shown in FIGS.
9-11. In particular, the device 120 is attached to an deployment
tool by the T-shaped ends 132 of the pull tabs 130. A graft vessel
is extended through the center of the tubular device 120 and
everted around the end of the device opposite the pull tabs 130. An
expander is advanced axially into the device to expand the
expandable linkage 126 and cause the lower portion of each of the
axial members 122 below the hinges 124 to bend outward to form a
first flange. The material in the center of each of the U-shaped
cuts which form the hinges 124 serves as a backstop to prevent the
flange from bending or rolling due to radial compressive forces
applied to the flange by the stretched graft vessel. In contrast,
with the narrowed section hinge shown in FIG. 1 the bend at the
hinge tends to roll away from the desired hinge point due to
compressive forces applied by the graft vessel. The backstop hinge
124 prevents rolling of the bend along the axial member 122.
[0055] After formation of the first flange with the expander, the
expander is withdrawn. During this withdrawal of the expander, an
annular groove on an exterior surface of the expander engages the
tab locks 138 causing the pull tabs 130 to bend outwardly to form
the second flange. Alternatively, the tab locks 138 may be caught
on a leading edge of the expander. As the pull tabs 130 bend
outwardly, the T-shaped ends 132 of the pull tabs disengage from
the deployment device. According to one embodiment of the
invention, the second flange is formed by a first bend in the pull
tabs 130 at a location between the triangular slot 136 and the lock
tab 138 and a second bend in the pull tab at the shoulder 134.
These two bends in the pull tabs 130 allow the anastomosis device
to accommodate target vessels with different wall thicknesses. Each
of the two bends preferably forms an angle of about 20-70
degrees.
[0056] FIG. 13 illustrates a further embodiment of a tubular
anastomosis device 120' which corresponds substantially to the
device shown in FIG. 12. However, FIG. 13 illustrates several
different variations of hinges 124' for the axial members 122'. In
particular, the hinges 124' may be formed in any of the different
manners illustrated in FIG. 13 by removing material from the axial
members 122' to cause bending at the desired location. These hinges
124' may include openings of various shapes and/or cut away
portions on the sides of the axial members 122'. The different
hinge configurations have been shown in one device only for
purposes of illustration.
[0057] FIGS. 14-18 illustrate a deployment system 150 and sequence
of deploying an anastomosis device 120 such as the device shown in
FIG. 12 with the deployment system. In FIGS. 14-16 the graft vessel
30 has been eliminated for purposes of clarity. As shown in FIGS.
14-18, the deployment system 150 includes a hollow outer trocar 152
(not shown in FIG. 14), a holder tube 154 positioned inside the
trocar, and an expander tube 156 slidable inside the holder tube.
As can be seen in the detail of FIG. 14A, the anastomosis device
120 is attached to a distal end of the holder tube 154 by inserting
the T-shaped ends 112 of each of the pull tabs 110 in slots 158
around the circumference of the holder tube. The trocar 152, holder
tube 154, and expander tube 156 are all slidable with respect to
one another during operation of the device. A device handle 160 is
provided for moving the tubes with respect to one another will be
described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 19-22.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 15, initially, the holder tube 154,
expander tube 156, and the anastomosis device 120 are positioned
within the trocar 152 for insertion. The trocar 152 has a hollow
generally conical tip with a plurality of axial slots 162 which
allow the conical tip to be spread apart so that the anastomosis
device 120 can slide through the opened trocar. The trocar 152,
acting as a tissue retractor and guide, is inserted through the
wall of the target vessel 32 forming an opening 34. As shown in
FIG. 16, the anastomosis device 120 is then advanced into or
through the target vessel wall 32 with the holder tube 154. The
advancing of the holder tube 154 causes the distal end of the
trocar 152 to be forced to spread apart. Once the anastomosis
device 120 is in position and the trocar 152 has been withdrawn,
the first annular flange is deployed by advancing the expander tube
156 into the anastomosis device. The advancing of the expander tube
156 increases the diameter of the anastomosis device 120 causing
the first flange to fold outward from the device. This expanding of
the first flange may be performed inside the vessel and then the
device 120 may be drawn back until the flange abuts an interior of
the target vessel wall 32.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 18, after the first flange has been
deployed, the expander tube 156 is withdrawn forming the second
flange. As the expander tube 156 is withdrawn, the anastomosis
device 120 drops into a radial groove 157 on an exterior of the
expander tube due to the elasticity of the device. The radial
groove 157 holds the anastomosis device 120 stationary on the
expander tube. The holder tube 154 is then moved forward
disengaging the anastomosis device pull tabs 130 from the slots 158
in the holder tube. The shoulders 134, shown most clearly in FIGS.
15 and 16, engage a tapered distal end of the holder tube 154
causing the pull tabs 130 to be released from the slots 158. As the
holder tube 154 is moved further forward, the holder tube causes
the second flange to be deployed. The edges of the radial groove
157 are preferably beveled so that the anastomosis device 120 will
be able to be removed from the expander tube 156 after the
anastomosis device is completely deployed.
[0060] One alternative embodiment of the holder tube 154 employs a
plurality of flexible fingers which receive the pull tabs 130 of
the anastomosis device 120. According to this embodiment each pull
tab 130 is received by an independent finger of the holder tube
154. To deploy the second or outer flange of the anastomosis device
120, the flexible fingers flex outward bending the pull tabs 130
outward.
[0061] FIGS. 19-22 illustrate the operation of the handle 160 to
move the trocar 152, the holder tube 154, and the expander tube 156
with respect to one another to deploy the anastomosis device 120
according to the present invention. The handle 160 includes a grip
170 and a trigger 172 pivotally mounted to the grip at a pivot 174.
The trigger 172 includes a finger loop 176 and three contoured cam
slots 178, 180, 182 corresponding to the trocar 152, holder tube
154, and expander tube 156, respectively. Each of these tubes has a
fitting 184 at a distal end thereof. A pin 186 connected to each of
the fittings 184 slides in a corresponding one of the cam slots
178, 180, 182. A fourth cam slot and tube may be added to control
deployment of the second flange.
[0062] The handle 160 is shown in FIG. 18 in an insertion position
in which the trocar 152 extends beyond the holder tube 154 and the
expander tube 156 for puncturing of the target vessel wall 32. As
the trigger 172 is rotated from the position illustrated in FIG. 19
to the successive positions illustrated in FIGS. 20-22, the pins
186 slide in the cam slots 178, 180, 182 to move the trocar 152,
holder tube 154 and expander tube 156.
[0063] FIG. 20 shows the handle 160 with the trigger 172 rotated
approximately 30 degrees from the position of FIG. 19. This
rotation moves the holder tube 154 and expander tube 156 forward
into the wall of the target vessel 32 spreading the trocar 152. The
anastomosis device 120 is now in position for deployment. FIG. 21
shows the trigger 172 rotated approximately 45 degrees with respect
to the position of FIG. 19 and the cam slot 182 has caused the
expander tube 156 to be advanced within the holder tube 154 to
deploy the first flange. The trocar 152 has also been
withdrawn.
[0064] FIG. 22 shows the handle 160 with the trigger 172 pivoted
approximately 60 degrees with respect to the position shown in FIG.
19. As shown in FIG. 22, the expander tube 156 has been withdrawn
to pull the first flange against the vessel wall 32 and the holder
tube 154 is moved forward to deploy the second flange and disengage
the holder tube 154 from the anastomosis device 120.
[0065] The handle 160 also includes a first channel 188 and a
second channel 190 in the grip 170 through which the graft vessel
(not shown) may be guided. The grip 170 also includes a cavity 192
for protecting an opposite end of the graft vessel from the
attachment end.
[0066] FIG. 23-26 illustrate a further alternative embodiment of
the anastomosis device according to the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 23, an anastomosis device 200 includes a plurality of pull
tabs 202, a diamond linkage 204, and a plurality of needles 206. As
shown in the detail of FIG. 23A, each of the needles 206 has a tail
portion 208 which is bent radially inwardly as shown in FIG. 23
prior to use. In this embodiment, the graft vessel is inserted
through the center of the anastomosis device 200 and everted over
the needles 206 as in the previous embodiments. The needles 206
puncture the graft vessel and securely retain the graft vessel on
the anastomosis device. To deploy the device 200 of FIG. 23, an
expander 210 is inserted axially into the device in a direction of
the arrow C and engages the tail portions 208 of the needles 206 to
fold the needles radially outward. The expander 210 is preferably
larger in diameter than an original inner diameter of the device
200 such that the device is expanded during deployment. This
expansion will stretch the opening in the target vessel 32
providing a better seal between the graft and target vessels.
However, it should be understood that an outer diameter of the
expander 210 according to this embodiment can be equal to or
smaller than an inner diameter of the device 200 and can bend the
needles 206 outward without radially expanding the device.
[0067] FIG. 24 illustrates the device 200 of FIG. 23 in which the
expander has been used to radially expand the device and bend the
needles 206 outward. The pull tabs 202 are then folded downward to
trap the wall of the target vessel 32 between the needles 206 and
the pull tabs.
[0068] FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate two modified versions of the
embodiment of FIG. 23. The variations of FIGS. 24 and 25 each
include pull tabs 202, diamond linkages 204, and needles 206 having
tail portions 208 bent inwardly. FIG. 25 and 26 also illustrate
horns 212 which help to retain the graft vessel after eversion.
[0069] A cantilevered end of each of the axial members may be
either rounded as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 or pointed as shown in
FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 6. The rounded cantilever ends prevent puncturing
of the graft vessel while the pointed cantilever ends puncture
through the vessel and prevent the vessel from slipping off of the
anastomosis device. The puncturing of the vessel also relieves
stresses on the vessel which are created when expanding the first
flange. Although the pointed cantilever ends may provide more
secure retention of the graft vessel, these pointed ends will
provide undesirable metal within the bloodstream.
[0070] FIG. 27 illustrates a modified version of the anastomosis
device of FIG. 12 in which the anastomosis device 120'' includes
modified needles 206' with saw tooth edges for grasping tissue of
the graft vessel. This version of the anastomosis device 120'' also
includes backstop hinges 124 and pull tabs 130.
[0071] FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an
anastomosis device 220. Having the first flange formed from a
plurality of members 222 which fold out tangentially from a body of
the anastomosis device. The device 220 includes pull tabs 224,
connected by a diamond linkage 226 to the members 222. As the
diamond linkage 226 is expanded in the manner described above with
respect to the earlier embodiments, the members 222 fold outward in
a direction which is substantially tangential to a body of the
expanding device as shown in FIG. 28. The tangentially folded
members 222 form the inner flange of the device 220. The pull tabs
224 are then folded downward to form the outer flange. According to
this embodiment of the invention, a second flange may also be
formed from a plurality of members which fold out tangentially from
a body of the anastomosis device.
[0072] Each of the anastomosis devices described above are
preferably single piece devices which are formed by laser cutting
or punching from a tube or sheet of material. The devices may be
provided in varying sizes to join vessels of different sizes. The
linkages, pull tabs, and other elements which have been discussed
above with regard to the various embodiments may be used in varying
numbers and arrangements.
[0073] The invention has been described as an anastomosis device
which is expanded with an expander. The expander may be a tube, a
balloon, or any other known expanding device.
[0074] Although the invention has been principally discussed with
respect to coronary bypass surgery, the anastomosis devices of the
present invention may be used in other types of anastomosis
procedures. For example, the anastomosis device may be used in
femoral-femoral bypass, vascular shunts, subclavian-carotid bypass,
organ transplants, and the like.
[0075] The anastomosis devices may be made of any known material
which can be bent and will retain the bent shape such as stainless
steel, nickel titanium alloys, and the like. The hinges or pivot
joints which have been discussed above in the various embodiments
of the present invention are designed to concentrate the bending at
a desired location. For example, the hinges may be formed with a
reduced thickness or width, or with openings in order to
concentrate the bending in the hinges.
[0076] The dimensions of the anastomosis device of the present
invention are determined by the dimensions of the blood vessels to
be joined. A distance between the two flanges is designed to
accommodate the wall thickness of a target vessel which may vary.
The anastomosis devices according to the present invention have
been illustrated as cylindrical members. However, the devices may
also be shaped into oval shapes, football shapes, or other shapes
to accommodate smaller target vessels.
[0077] 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. It is to be understood that the invention is not
limited to the details of construction, the arrangements of
components, and/or the method set forth in the above description or
illustrated in the drawings. Statements in the abstract of this
document, and any summary statements in this document, are merely
exemplary; they are not, and cannot be interpreted as, limiting the
scope of the claims. Further, the figures are merely exemplary and
not limiting. Therefore, the invention is not to be restricted or
limited except in accordance with the following claims and their
legal equivalents.
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