Patent ID: 6884251

Claim:
A method for forming an anastomosis comprising: A) forming an incision in a first vessel; B) installing an anvil into the first vessel through the incision; C) mounting a first malleable mounting structure on the first vessel by setting fasteners on the first mounting structure into the first vessel adjacent to the incision; D) fully forming the fasteners by driving them against the anvil and gently turning them toward the incision; E) manipulating the first mounting structure into a configuration opening the incision in the first vessel; F) removing the anvil from the first vessel through the incision therein; G) forming an incision in a second vessel; H) installing an anvil into the second vessel through the incision in the second vessel; I) mounting a second malleable mounting structure on the second vessel by setting fasteners on the second mounting structure into the second vessel adjacent to the incision in the second vessel; J) fully forming the fasteners of the second mounting structure by driving them against the anvil in the second vessel and gently turning them toward the incision in the second vessel; K) manipulating the second mounting structure into a configuration opening the incision in the second vessel; L) removing the anvil from the second vessel through the incision therein; M) guiding the first and second mounting structures into contact with each other to bring the first and second vessels in abutting contact with each other; and N) connecting the first and second mounting structures together.