Blood vessel connectors and methods for blood vessel connection

An anastomosis clip for connecting a first vessel with a second vessel,

• wherein the first and second vessels each have a vessel wall with an outer surface,
• wherein the anastomosis clip comprises:
• a first attachment portion,
• a second attachment portion,
• a hinge having a pivot axis and configured to couple the first attachment portion to the second attachment portion such that the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are movable relative to one another around the pivot axis between i) a closed position and ii) an open position, and
• a retainer ring which is moveable relative to the first attachment portion as well as to the second attachment portion and which is configured to lie, in use, between the outer surfaces of the vessel walls of the first and second vessels;
• wherein, in the closed position, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are arranged substantially parallel to each other with the retainer ring being interposed between the first and second attachment portions;
• wherein, in the open position, the first attachment portion and the second attachment portion are arranged at a non-zero angle with respect to each other;
• and
• wherein, the first attachment portion, the second attachment portion, and the retainer ring are configured in such a way that, when in the closed position:
• i) a part of the first attachment portion extends parallel to a part of the retainer ring to engage, in use, the wall of the first vessel between said part of the first attachment portion and a first reaction surface of said part of the retainer ring,
• ii) a part of the second attachment portion extends parallel to said part of the retainer ring to engage, in use, the wall of the second vessel between said part of the second attachment portion and a second reaction surface of said part of the retainer ring, and
• iii) the first attachment portion is movable away from the retainer ring while the second attachment portion remains parallel to the retainer ring and/or the second attachment portion is movable away from the retainer ring while the first attachment portion remains parallel to the retainer ring;
• wherein the first reaction surface and the second reaction surface face in mutually opposite directions,
• wherein the part of the first attachment portion, which in the closed position extends parallel to said part of the retainer ring, lies within the retainer ring when in the closed position, and
• wherein the part of the second attachment portion, which in the closed position extends parallel to said part of the retainer ring, lies within the retainer ring when in the closed position.