Patent ID: 6666873
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical coupler for joining tubular and hollow organs, comprising;a first generally tubular component having a first axis and two open ends; a second generally tubular component having a second axis and two open ends; interconnection means on the first and second tubular components for quickly connecting them end-to-end generally coaxially by pressure in an axial direction to form a combined generally tubular shape; the first tubular component having an exterior surface with a first set of semi-flexible barbed spokes extending generally radially in a first plane generally normal to the first axis; the second tubular component having an exterior surface with a second set of semi-flexible barbed spokes extending generally radially in a second plane generally normal to the second axis; a first removable sleeve for temporarily holding the first set of spokes bent against the exterior of the first tubular component in a first common angular direction generally in said first plane; a second removable sleeve for temporarily holding the second set of spokes bent against the exterior of the second tubular component in a second common angular direction generally in said second plane.