Patent ID: 8202284

Claim:
An assembly for joining two vessel segments of a patient, comprising: a coupler comprising adjoining coupler halves, each of said coupler halves comprising an aperture for receiving an end of one of said vessel segments, one of said coupler halves comprising a connector element sized and shaped for connection to the other coupler half, said coupler halves configured such that said vessel segments are alignable in respective coupler halves in a manner such that a pathway for fluid flow is formed therebetween upon connection of said coupler halves, one of said coupler halves including an extension member substantially perpendicular to said coupler half and extending longitudinally therefrom, said extension member comprising a generally arc-shaped body portion and an open portion radially opposing said arc-shaped body portion, said arc-shaped body portion defining a pocket; and a probe received in said pocket for generating a signal corresponding to fluid flow through said pathway, said probe and said extension member configured and arranged such that said probe is capable of contact with said pathway along said open portion.