Patent ID: 8105345

Claim:
Anastomosis apparatus for anastomosing a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure having a sidewall with an opening formed therein, the apparatus comprising a support device having a first portion and a second portion adapted to support an everted portion of the first tubular structure and having a radius and radially adjustable portions, said second portion further including a plurality piercing members slidably coupled to respective ones of said radially adjustable portions and adapted to pierce and hold a portion of said first and second tubular structures; wherein said radially adjustable portions comprise a plurality of arms, each of plurality of arms further having a distal end, each of said piercing members being slidably coupled to one of said plurality of arms; and wherein said arms includes a first position in which said arms collectively define a distally decreasing diameter to said distal ends, and a second position in which a collective diameter defined by said distal ends is greater than a collective diameter defined by said distal ends in said first position, and positions between said first and second position.