Patent ID: 6966917

Claim:
A connector for mechanically connecting hollow structures, in particular small vessels, comprising: an annular member of deformable material, said annular member being permanently deformable by expansion via plastic deformation from a first size in a starting position in which the connector is delivered to a desired anastomosis site, to an annular member having a second, larger size in a joining position in which the connector connects the hollow structures, joining elements circumferentially spaced about said annular member for joining abutting walls of the hollow structures together, said joining elements comprising staple-like elements which are permanently deformable from a starting position in which the connector is delivered to a desired anastomosis site, to a joining position in which said staple-like elements engage the hollow structures to thereby cause the connector to connect the hollow structures, each said staple-like element being attached to the annular member, and comprising at least two staple portions extending from said location of said attachment between each said staple-like element and said annular member to free ends of each said staple portion, at least part of each said staple portion being tapered in a direction corresponding to a direction from the location of attachment between each said staple-like element and said annular member towards the free end of said staple portion.