Anastomosis device and method

An anastomosis device for joining a vein graft to an aorta wall comprising:

• an elongated housing comprising a central bore;
• an annular cutting sleeve assembly disposed within said central bore, wherein at least a portion of said cutting sleeve assembly is retractable relative to at least a portion of said housing;
• a retractable punch assembly disposed within said cutting sleeve assembly, wherein said punch assembly is retractable relative to at least a portion of said housing;
• a lateral shaft obliquely joined to said housing and comprising a lateral bore;
• wherein said retractable portion of said cutting sleeve assembly and said retractable punch assembly are retractable beyond said lateral bore such that said lateral bore is in communication with said central bore when said retractable portion of said cutting sleeve assembly and said retractable punch assembly are retracted, whereby a vein graft may be advanced through said lateral bore and said central bore.

A method of performing anastomosis of a vein graft to an aorta wall comprising the steps of:

• providing an anastomosis device comprising a punch assembly having a punch head and a cutting sleeve disposed in a central bore, and a lateral shaft having a lateral bore communicating with said central bore, said lateral bore adapted to receive a vein graft;
• inserting a vein graft into said lateral bore;
• inserting said punch head into said aorta wall;
• advancing said cutting sleeve to against said punch head to create an opening in said aorta wall;
• retracting said punch head and at least a portion of said cutting sleeve proximally beyond said lateral bore, while leaving a portion of said anastomosis device disposed within said opening to prevent blood loss;
• advancing said vein graft through said central bore and into said opening in said aorta wall;
• securing said vein graft to said aorta wall;
• and
• removing said anastomosis device from said opening and from said vein graft.