Method and Apparatus for Clamping Tissue Layers and Occluding Tubular Body Structures

Apparatus for clamping tissue layers together comprising:

• a proximal implant and a distal implant disposed along a common axis, each implant having a plurality of radially extending legs;
• a latching element associated with each of the implants to cooperatively secure the implants to each other such that tissue layers disposed between the implants may be gripped between the proximal and distal implants;
• the implants, when secured together, being configured to alternately apply oppositely directed forces to the tissue layers at circumferentially spaced locations about the axis of the implants.

A method for clamping tissue layers together comprising:

• constraining the tissue layers together by applying oppositely directed forces to opposite surfaces of the tissue layers, the forces being applied alternately at circumferentially spaced locations about a central location.

A method for clamping tissue layers together comprising:

• constraining the tissue layers together in a serpentine configuration between at least three clamping segments and having at least three sequentially reversing bends, the serpentine configuration circumscribing an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the tissue layers.

The method as defined in claim 23 wherein the tissue layers comprise opposing portions of a tubular or hollow body part and where the clamping occludes the lumen of the body part.