Anastomotic methods and devices for placing a target vessel in fluid communication with a source of blood

A method for securing a conduit to a target vessel of a patient's vascular system, the method comprising steps of:

• (a) providing a conduit having a lumen and an attachment portion adapted to be secured to a target vessel so that the conduit lumen is in fluid communication with the target vessel lumen, wherein the attachment portion includes first and second securing components;
• (b) placing the first securing component at least partially with the target vessel lumen and positioning the first securing component adjacent one surface of the target vessel wall;
• (c) placing the second securing component adjacent another surface of the target vessel wall;
• and
• (d) applying a desired amount of force to the target vessel wall without the first or second component penetrating the tissue of the target vessel wall, thereby securing the conduit to the target vessel.

A method for securing a native artery to a target vessel of a patient's vascular system, the method comprising steps of:

• (a) providing an attachment mechanism configured to be secured to a target vessel, the attachment mechanism having a lumen adapted to be placed in fluid communication with the target vessel lumen, wherein the attachment mechanism includes first and second securing components;
• (b) placing one of the securing components at least partially within the lumen of the target vessel adjacent a surface of the target vessel wall;
• (c) preparing the native artery to provide an exposed portion for securing the artery to the target vessel;
• (d) coupling the other securing component to the exposed portion of the native artery and positioning the other securing component adjacent another surface of the target vessel wall;
• and
• (e) sandwiching the target vessel wall between the securing components to secure the native artery to the target vessel.

A device for securing a conduit to a target vessel so that the conduit and the vessel are in fluid communication, the device comprising:

• first and second securing components configured to engage different areas of the wall of a target vessel to provide a secure attachment, at least one of the components has a length and a width, the length being defined generally along the axis of the target vessel when the device is positioned in the target vessel;
• wherein one of the first and second securing components is configured to directly engage an opening in the wall of a target vessel and is sized for a particular size range of target vessels;
• and
• wherein the one securing component has an outlet with a cross-sectional area of at least 50% of the cross-sectional area of the target vessels in the particular size range.