Patent ID: 6620176
Filing Date: 2003-09-16
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
Apparatus for connecting an axial end portion of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's tubular body conduit via an aperture in that side wall comprising:connector having a plurality of fingers extending from an axial end of the connector, the fingers being movable between a first configuration wherein the fingers extend radially from the connector to a second configuration wherein the fingers extend substantially axially from the connector; mandrel sized for insertion into the end of the graft conduit to radially expand the end portion of the graft conduit, the mandrel defining a plurality of openings for receiving the fingers in the second configuration; and a sleeve configured to surround the connector and the tubular graft conduit and to deflect the fingers toward the second configuration to pierce the radially expanded portion of the graft conduit and be received in the openings.