System and method for attaching a fluid conduit to an anatomical structure

A tubular graft assembly configured to be attached to a side of a tubular anatomical structure, comprising:

• a primary graft conduit having a circumferential distal end skirt, a proximal end, wherein the stent is a first stent, and the tubular graft assembly further comprises a second stent, wherein the second stent is covered and is configured to facilitate coupling the proximal end of the primary graft conduit with a separate graft conduit;
• a stent having a tubular portion and a circumferential flange portion;
• an external annular support having a plurality of tissue anchor openings passing axially there through, wherein the external annular support further comprises an annular ring having a plurality of staple openings passing longitudinally through the annular ring, each of the plurality of staple openings having a generally quadrilateral shaped profile, and a substantially saddle shaped flange extending radially from the annular ring;
• a plurality of tissue anchors configured to pass axially into and through the tissue anchor openings of the external annular support, the plurality of tissue anchors further comprising a plurality of staples, each of the plurality of staples having a generally quadrilateral shaped planar head that matches the generally quadrilateral profile of the plurality of staple openings;
• wherein in an installed state the tubular portion of the stent is disposed within the primary graft conduit, the distal end skirt is engaged against an outer wall surface of the tubular anatomical structure, the circumferential flange portion of the stent is extended distally beyond the distal end skirt and into the tubular anatomical structure, and the circumferential flange portion of the stent engages against the inner wall surface of the tubular anatomical structure and the external annular support is concentrically engaged about the primary graft conduit and against the circumferential distal end skirt;
• and
• wherein in the installed state at least a portion of the tubular anatomical structure is compressed between the distal end skirt and the flange portion of the stent.