Patent ID: 9572582
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method for joining a first hollow structure to the side wall of a second hollow structure, the method comprising: providing a connector having (i) a first component comprising an inner collar and a hollow graft element mounted to the inner collar and extending therefrom, and (ii) a second component comprising an outer collar; forming an opening in the side wall of the second hollow structure; positioning the inner collar of the first component within the interior of the second hollow structure, with the graft element extending through the side wall of the second hollow structure; and advancing the outer collar of the second component toward the inner collar of the first component so as to clamp the side wall of the second hollow structure therebetween; wherein the inner collar of the first component is flexible, and further wherein positioning the inner collar of the first component within the interior of the second hollow structure comprises folding the inner collar along an axis thereof prior to inserting the inner collar into the second hollow structure, and thereafter restoring the inner collar to its initial configuration after insertion of the inner collar into the second hollow structure; wherein the first component comprises a resilient structure, and further wherein folding the inner collar along an axis thereof includes restraining the inner collar in a folded configuration with a restraint, and wherein restoring the inner collar to its initial configuration includes releasing the restraint; wherein the restraint comprises a clothespin clamp; and wherein the clothespin clamp is disposed within the interior of the graft element.