Patent ID: 7771442
Filing Date: 2010-08-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A graft core device for drawing together two body tubes in an animal to make an end-to-side anastomosis, comprising, a. a stem section having a tubular shape and a wall with inner and outer circumferences, a circular planar base end, and an opposite end; b. a brim section having a tubular shape and a wall having inner and outer circumferences, c. said brim section attached to said stem section at a junction so that said sections form an angle, d. said brim section having a central opening, e. said brim section being made of material flexible enough to be compressed to a circumference slightly larger than the outer circumference of said stem section, but having sufficient shape memory to return to its original shape upon removal from compression, f. said stem section being made of relatively inflexible material having a plurality of segments of different types of suture material embedded in, and fastened to said stem section, g. a plurality of hollow suture segments having a tubular shape, made of relatively stiff, hard material, and longitudinally embedded in said wall of said stem section, starting close to said circular planar base end and proceeding longitudinally in said wall, emerging radially from said wall at an angle with respect to said stem section's longitudinal axis, and extending out from said wall and with ends pointed toward said brim section, h. a plurality of post segments of stretch-resistant suture material capable of returning to their original shape after bending, i. said plurality of post segments extending from near said junction of said brim and stem sections, radially aligned with, pointed in the direction of and of a length to intersect said ends of said plurality of hollow suture segments, j. said plurality of post segments further including means for forming respective connections to said plurality of hollow suture segments, thus creating a first plurality of closeable loops, each consisting of said post segment attached to said hollow suture segment and said wall of said stem section being the third side, k. a plurality of stiff suture segments constructed of stiff but bendable suture material, l. said stiff suture segments being slidably located inside said respective hollow suture segments but capable of being pushed out of said hollow suture segments, and m. said stiff sutures being sufficiently sharp to drive through body tissue and into said brim section, thus creating a second plurality of closable loops, each consisting of said stiff suture segment, said post segment, and said wall of said brim section being the third side, whereby (a) said stem section can be attached to an end of a first body tube by said first plurality of loops, (b) said brim section, while compressed, can be inserted in an opening made in the side of a second body tube and (c) when uncompressed expanding inside said second body tube to form a seal between said first and said second body tubes and (d) when attached to said wall of said second body tube by said second plurality of loops, (e) thereby holding said two body tubes in such contact as to create a more fluid-tight end-to-side anastomosis at said junction of said stem and brim sections of said graft core device than can a seal alone or sutures alone.