Patent ID: 7998155

Claim:
A radially expandable joining member for joining body vessels, comprising: an annular body portion defining a longitudinal axis, the annular body portion including a distal terminal edge, a proximal terminal edge and a first and a second side terminal edge, wherein each of the first and the second side terminal edges is longitudinally oriented; a guide channel formed near the first side terminal edge of the annular body; at least one annular array of openings formed in the annular body; at least one locking tab including an outer surface extending tangentially from an outer surface of the annular body portion, and extending radially outward from the first side terminal edge, each locking tab being in registration with a respective array of openings formed in the annular body and receivable in the openings of the at least one annular array of openings, wherein the joining member has a first position wherein the annular body has a first diameter and the second side terminal edge overlaps the first side terminal edge such that the outer surface of the at least one locking tab lies against an inner surface of the annular body, and a second position wherein the annular body has a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter, wherein the outer surface of the at least one locking tab slides over and across the openings of the at least one array of openings to permit the annular body to move to the second position when a radially outward force is applied to the inner surface of the annular body portion, and wherein the at least one locking tab inhibits the annular body from returning to the first diameter when the body vessels apply a radially inward oriented constriction force about an outer surface of the annular body portion, by being received in an opening of the at least one array of openings ; and a pair of guide rails extending radially inward from an inner surface of the annular body portion, at least one of the pair of guide rails being spaced a longitudinal distance from each of the proximal and distal terminal edges and extending circumferentially a substantial length of the at least one annular array of openings such that the at least one locking tab is slidably received between the pair of guide rails.