Patent ID: 6689147
Filing Date: 2004-02-10
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An anastomosis punch device having means to create an opening in an aortic wall and means to block flow of blood through said opening, the device comprising:a generally elongated, unitary, tubular housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a punch assembly comprising a shaft extending from said distal end of said housing, a punch head mounted on the distal end of said shaft, and a cutting disk fixedly mounted intermediately on said shaft, said punch assembly being fixed relative to said housing; a cutting sleeve assembly comprising a tubular shaft, a bore within said tubular shaft, a cutting sleeve mounted onto said tubular shaft and a chamber defined by said cutting sleeve, wherein the diameter of said cutting sleeve is greater than the diameter of said tubular shaft, wherein said cutting sleeve and said chamber are disposed completely external to said housing and adjacent said distal end of said housing prior to initiation of a cutting operation, and wherein said tubular shaft extends through both said distal end and said proximal end of said housing, and where said cutting sleeve is axially movable relative to said housing and said punch assembly; an elastic dam assembly affixed to said punch assembly, wherein said dam assembly comprises a tubular impermeable elastic membrane and longitudinally extending rigid rib members supporting said elastic membrane, wherein said elastic membrane has a distal end attached to said punch assembly and a non-attached proximal end defining a sealing rim, said elastic membrane having a generally cylindrical passive configuration of minimal diameter and a generally conical active expanded configuration, and wherein said distal end of said elastic membrane is affixed to said punch assembly shaft proximally adjacent to said punch head and said proximal end of said elastic membrane is distally adjacent to said cutting disk when in said passive configuration; a deployment ram assembly for expanding said elastic membrane from said passive configuration to said active configuration, said deployment ram assembly comprising a parallel shaft external to said punch assembly shaft, a beveled head joined to said parallel shaft, and a handle connected to said parallel shaft and extending radially from said housing, said parallel shaft extending from said distal end of said housing such that said beveled head is disposed distally adjacent said cutting disk and proximally adjacent said proximal end of said elastic membrane prior to advancement of said deployment ram assembly for deployment of said elastic membrane, wherein said deployment ram assembly is axially movable relative to said housing, said bunch assembly and said elastic dam assembly, such that said beveled head advances internally relative to said elastic membrane and pushes outwardly against said rib members when advanced in the distal direction relative to said elastic membrane.