Patent ID: 6709442
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An instrument for attaching a graft to an aorta or other tubular structure, the instrument comprising:a first needle assembly for breaching the aorta to provide a hole in a wall thereof; a carrier portion for insertion of an end of a tubular graft through the hole and into the aorta; arms pivotally mounted on the instrument and moveable from a position extending axially of said carrier to a position extending radially from said carrier to spread the end of the tubular graft radially outwardly from a tubular body portion of the graft to form a generally annular flange portion extending outwardly from the tubular body portion, and to support the flange portion within the aorta and around the hole therein; and a second needle assembly adapted to retain a coil fastener therein and to advance said coil fastener into engagement with the aorta wall and the graft flange portion for attaching the graft flange portion to the aorta wall.