Patent ID: 6066148
Filing Date: 2000-05-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of connecting an end region of a first vessel to a side of a second vessel by carrying out an end-to-side anastomosis, said method comprising the steps a-d:a) forming an opening in the side of said second vessel,b) inserting in said opening an anastomosis instrument carrying said first vessel in a longitudinal cavity thereof and with said end region everted about a circumferential anvil member constituting a forward portion of said instrument in such a manner that the intima side of said end region comes into contact with the intima side of said second vessel at an edge region of said opening,c) joining said end region to said edge region by inserting penetratingly therethrough and leaving therein a plurality of spiked members, andd) removing said instrument from the joint formed between said first and second vessels,said steps a-d being carried out bye) the use of said anastomosis instrument comprisinge1) an anvil assembly comprising said circumferential anvil member and in which said first vessel may be placed with its end region everted about said anvil member with the terminal part of said end region facing rearwardly,e2) rearwardly facing staple-bending recesses provided in said anvil member,e3) clamping members adapted to be moved towards said anvil member so as to make it possible to clamp together therebetween said end region on said first vessel and an edge region on said second vessel, ande4) stapling plungers movable relative to said anvil member and adapted to insert staples penetratingly through said clamped end and edge regions into engagement with said stapling-bending recesses so as to bend permanently said staples into a shape by which said staples hold said end and edge regions together,characterized byf) said joining step including the step of sliding said stapling plungers in directions forming acute angles with the longitudinal axis of said longitudinal cavity so that said staples converge in a region forward of said circumferential anvil member.