Patent ID: 7618427

Claim:
An anastomosis instrument, comprising: a handle; an elongate member having an outer tube coupled with the handle, wherein the outer tube defines a first recess, wherein the elongate member has an open distal end and defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the elongate member comprises a distal perimeter defining a distal opening at the open distal end of the elongate member such that the elongate member distally terminates at the distal perimeter defining the opening of the open distal end of the elongate member; a grasper tube retained within the first recess of the outer tube and coupled with the handle, wherein the grasper tube defines a first axis; an extrusion tube retained within the first recess of the outer tube adjacent the grasper tube, wherein the extrusion tube defines a second axis that is separate from the first axis defined by the grasper tube, wherein the extrusion tube is external to the grasper tube, wherein the extrusion tube has an open distal end, wherein the extrusion tube comprises a distal perimeter defining a distal opening at the open distal end of the extrusion tube such that the extrusion tube distally terminates at the distal perimeter defining the opening of the open distal end of the extrusion tube; an anastomosis device configured to provide a continuous channel from a first tissue lumen to a second tissue lumen, wherein the anastomosis device is formed from a shape memory alloy wire annealed in a coil shape and longitudinally straightened, wherein the anastomosis device is loaded within the extrusion tube in a substantially straight configuration prior to deployment; a second recess formed in the outer tube of the elongate member, wherein the second recess is located proximate to the handle; a proximally actuated slide control slidingly received in the second recess formed in the outer tube of the elongate member, wherein the slide control is operable to distally dispense the anastomosis device through the distal opening of the extrusion tube and through the distal opening of the elongate member in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis; a pair of grasping jaws, the pair of grasping jaws being configured to extend distally beyond the distal opening of the elongate member and being operable in an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the pair of grasping jaws comprise a piercing tip to penetrate a first layer of tissue defining the first tissue lumen and wherein in the open position the pair of grasping jaws are configured to grasp a second layer of tissue defining the second tissue lumen; and a grasper control mechanism operably coupled to the pair of grasping jaws through the grasper tube to effect opening and closing of the grasping jaws, wherein the grasper control mechanism is further operable to move the grasping jaws longitudinally through a range of motion distal to the distal opening of the elongate member.