Patent ID: 7976556

Claim:
A method of anastomosing a first tubular structure having an end portion to a second tubular structure having an opening formed therein where at least one of the structures comprises tissue, the method comprising: prior to placing the first tubular structure into the opening of the second tubular structure: everting the end portion of the first tubular structure over a distal end of each of a plurality of arms provided with a support device, distally advancing a piercing member from within each of the arms to piece the first tubular structure and secure the first tubular structure to the support device; introducing the distal end of the arms into the opening; radially expanding the arms from a first state to a second state so that a portion of the first tubular structure is forced against a region of the second tubular structure that surrounds the opening; passing a plurality of fasteners through the tubular structures in the vicinity of the opening to secure the tubular structures together; and removing the support device from the tubular structures.