Patent ID: 8066724
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for anastomosing a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure having an opening formed therein, the system comprising: a support device having a plurality of arms arranged to form a space between adjacent arms, the arms each terminating at a distal face, the distal faces forming a discontinuous annular surface configured to support the first tubular structure; a plurality of graft piercing members, each graft piercing member extending from the distal face of one of the plurality of arms and adapted to pierce and hold a portion of the first tubular structure, wherein a maximum width dimension of each of the graft piercing members is less than an annular length of each of the distal faces; and a plurality of fasteners adapted to pass through the spaces and the first and second tubular structures; wherein the system is configured such that the first tubular structure can be everted over the support device, the support device passed through the opening in the second tubular structure, the fasteners passed through the spaces and tubular structures to anastomose the first and second structures, and the support device and graft piercing members subsequently removed from the anastomosed first and second tubular structures and the fasteners; wherein the fasteners comprise surgical clips.