Patent ID: 7766962

Claim:
A stent anastomosis comprising: a stent segment reconfigurable between a deployment configuration and a deployed configuration, a transverse dimension of the deployed configuration being substantially larger than a transverse dimension of the deployment configuration, the transverse dimension of the deployed configuration being substantially larger than a longitudinal dimension of the deployed configuration, the stent anastomosis being adapted, in the deployed configuration, for engaging an inner surface of an intravascular graft, securing the end of the graft within a vessel, and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal between the graft and an endoluminal surface of the vessel; and at least one securing member, the securing member extending transversely outward from an outer portion of the stent segment in the deployed configuration, the securing member being adapted for piercing and passing through the graft and piercing the endoluminal surface of the vessel, thereby securing the graft within the vessel.