Patent ID: 8361142

Claim:
An implantable, biocompatible docking head to be connected to a vascular graft, the docking head comprising: a non-expandable cylindrical portion having a passage and a guiding end; a conical portion with a wider end and a narrower end, the conical portion is disposed about the cylindrical portion, wherein the wider end of the conical portion is provided with a plurality of open slits capable of allowing a diameter of the wider end of the conical portion to be decreased; and a plurality of outwardly pointing and inclined flexible barbs disposed on an outer surface of the docking head, the barbs have a sharp free end and extend toward the wider end of the conical portion, and wherein said barbs have a length capable of being nailed into an inner wall of a vessel, wherein the docking head is capable of guiding, anchoring and sealing the vascular graft and the vessel.