Patent ID: 6626921
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An anastomosis system comprising:an externally positioned anvil apparatus including anvil means for engaging an interior surface of a wall of a first vessel at an anastomosis site, and anvil pull means for holding an engaging end of the anvil means against the interior surface of the wall of the first vessel, the anvil pull means extending from the engaging end of the anvil means, wherein the engaging end is convex; and an external anastomosis operator including engaging means for engaging the anvil pull means once the anvil means has been inserted though the wall of the first vessel at an insertion opening that has been selected as an anastomosis site and positioned in a lumen of the first vessel with the anvil pull means extending through the insertion opening of the first vessel to enable the engaging means to hold the anvil pull means; cutting means for forming a first vessel opening in the wall of the first vessel at the anastomosis site through engagement with the anvil means of the anvil apparatus as the engaging means holds the anvil pull means after receiving the anvil pull means through the cutting means, the cutting means having a cutting perimeter that defines the shape of the first vessel opening; wherein the engaging end of the anvil means has a greater cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area defined by the cutting perimeter of the cutting means such that portions of the engaging end of the anvil means extend beyond the cutting perimeter when the cutting means engages the anvil means and forms the first vessel opening, and wherein the engaging end of the anvil means is adapted to engage an area of the interior surface of the wall of the first vessel which is greater than the cross-sectional area defined by the cutting means.