Patent ID: 6520973
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An anastomosis device for attaching a first hollow vessel to a second hollow vessel, said device comprising:a. A handle for holding said device, and a head assembly, attached to said handle, for holding said first and second hollow vessels adjacent to each other, said head assembly having a distal end, a proximal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween; b. a longitudinal needle guide disposed longitudinally along said head assembly adjacent to said vessels, and a helical needle comprising a plurality of spaced apart helical coils, said helical needle having a suture attached to a proximal end thereof, disposed within said head assembly at its proximal end, said needle guide having a plurality of ribs disposed along its length, said ribs being spaced apart at substantially the same distance as the helical coils are spaced from one another; and c. an actuator on said handle for actuating a needle driver, said needle driver coupled to said head assembly, said needle driver comprising a flexible rotatable member operated by said actuator for rotating and driving said needle distally along said needle guides and through said first and second hollow vessels, said flexible rotatable member comprising an inner shaft, an intermediate coiled spring surrounding said inner shaft, and an outer wire mesh surrounding said coiled spring.