Patent ID: 7285125

Claim:
A method for joining a first tubular structure to a second tubular structure, the method comprising the steps of: providing an anastomotic device, comprising: a cylindrical sleeve; an inverting member; a constricting member supported on the inverting member and movable onto the cylindrical sleeve; and a rod configured and adapted for insertion through the cylindrical sleeve, the inverting member, the first tubular structure and the second tubular structure; positioning the cylindrical sleeve onto a shaft portion of the rod; positioning the cylindrical sleeve, through the second tubular structure, into the first tubular structure; suturing a free end of the first tubular structure to the shaft portion of the rod; suturing a free end of the second tubular structure to the shaft portion of the rod; positioning the inverting member over the shaft portion of the rod and into the second tubular portion; withdrawing the rod relative to the inverting member to approximate the cylindrical sleeve and the inverting member, such that at least a portion of second tubular structure is at least partially around the free end of the first tubular structure, creating a second tubular structure outer layer and an inner layer; and moving the constricting member from the inverting member to the cylindrical sleeve such that the constricting member is positioned at least partially between the outer layer and the inner layer of the second tubular structure and outside of the first tubular structure, wherein the constricting member urges at least a portion of the first tubular structure and at least a portion of the second tubular structure towards the cylindrical sleeve.