Medical grafting methods and apparatus

Apparatus for making an anastomotic connection between tubular fluid conduits in a patient comprising:

• a connector comprising:
• an annular structure configured for placement at least partially within one of the tubular fluid conduits and for annular enlargement by expansion of an expandable structure positioned within an interior portion of the connector;
• and
• members having free end portions that extend radially outward and that are configured to penetrate a wall of at least one of the tubular fluid conduits at locations that are annularly spaced around the connection;
• and
• a radially expandable structure configured for disposition within the interior portion of the connector wherein the radially expandable structure comprises an inflatable annular balloon portion.

A method for making an anastomotic connection between a tubular fluid conduit and a patient's tubular body structure, comprising:

• providing a connector having an annular structure configured for annular enlargement and having free end portions that extend radially outward;
• positioning a first axial portion of the connector in the tubular fluid conduit and a second axial portion of the connector in the tubular body structure;
• enlarging the connector with an inflatable balloon portion disposed within an interior portion of the connector;
• and
• penetrating a wall of the tubular fluid conduit with the free end portions at locations on the tubular fluid conduit that are annularly spaced around the connection.