Patent ID: 6551334
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for forming an opening in a vessel comprising the steps ofidentifying an anastomosis site in a first vessel, forming an insertion opening in a wall of the first vessel at the anastomosis site, inserting an anvil means for engaging an interior surface of a wall of a first vessel at the anastomosis site, wherein the anvil means is inserted through the insertion opening into a lumen of the first vessel, wherein the anvil means has an engaging end, and wherein the engaging end is convex, positioning the engaging end of the anvil means against an interior surface of the wall of the first vessel, wherein the positioning is achieved through the insertion opening, and creating a first vessel opening in the wall of the fist vessel at the anastomosis site through the interaction of the engaging end of the anvil means with the cutting means for forming a first vessel opening in the wall of the first vessel at the anastomosis site, wherein the cutting means has a cutting perimeter that defines the shape of the first vessel opening, and wherein the cross-sectional area defined by the cutting perimeter is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the engaging end of the anvil means such that portions of the engaging end of the anvil means extend beyond the cutting perimeter when the cutting means engages the anvil means and creates the first vessel opening.