# US 7,611,523 B2 · Method for sutureless connection of vessels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,523 B2 - Document ID: US7611523B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/665,170 - Filed: 2003-09-18 - Published: 2004-05-20 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 1999-05-18 - Assignees: Cardica, Inc. - Inventors: Jaime Vargas; Stephen A. Yencho; Jamey Nielsen; Michael Hendricksen; Bernard A. Hausen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611523B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/11: for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis - A61B 17/32053: {Punch like cutting instruments, e.g. using a cylindrical or oval knife (A61B17/326 takes precedence; trepans A61B17/1695)} - A61F 2/064: {with special features to facilitate anastomotic coupling (anastomosis of natural blood vessels A61B17/11)} - A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue} - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/3415: {for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters (A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06)} - A61B 17/3439: {with means for changing the inner diameter of the cannula, e.g. expandable (A61B17/3423, A61B17/3431 take precedence; catheters A61M25/0662)} - A61B 2017/00247: {Making holes in the wall of the heart, e.g. laser Myocardial revascularization} - A61B 2017/0641: {having at least three legs as part of one single body} - A61B 2017/1107: {for blood vessels} - A61B 2017/1135: {End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections} - A61B 2018/00392: {Transmyocardial revascularisation} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract An anastomosis device is a one piece device for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel without the use of conventional sutures. The anastomosis device includes an expandable tube configured to have a graft vessel secured to the tube. The device has an expandable linkage positioned at one end of the device and expansion of this linkage causes a first radially extending flange to fold outward. This first flange abuts an interior wall of a target vessel and a second flange is formed which abuts an exterior wall of the target vessel trapping the target vessel between the two flanges and secures the end of the graft vessel into an opening in the wall of the target vessel. The device greatly increases the speed with which anastomosis can be performed over known suturing methods and allows anastomosis to be performed in tight spaces. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of forming an anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, each vessel having a lumen therein and a wall around the lumen; the method comprising: providing an anastomosis device and an expander; connecting an end of the graft vessel to said anastomosis device; delivering at least a portion of the anastomosis device into the lumen of the target vessel through an opening in the wall of the target vessel; manipulating said anastomosis device to form a first flange therein, said first flange positioned in the lumen of the target vessel and spaced apart from the wall of the target vessel; wherein said manipulating includes translating said expander relative to said anastomosis device, and wherein said manipulating completely forms said first flange; and moving said first flange into contact with the wall of the target vessel after said manipulating is complete. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said connecting comprises everting an end of the graft vessel onto an end of said anastomosis device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said manipulating includes radially expanding at least a portion of said anastomosis device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said moving is substantially linear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a holder; and connecting said anastomosis device to said holder, wherein at least a portion of said anastomosis device is separable from said holder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said moving is performed by moving said holder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising separating at least a portion of said anastomosis device from said holder after moving. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein said anastomosis device includes at least one tab at its proximal end, and wherein said connecting includes connecting at least one said tab to said holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising manipulating said anastomosis device to form a second flange proximal to said first flange and positioned outside the target vessel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein said second flange is at least partially in contact with the wall of the target vessel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said anastomosis device is at least partially tubular. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said manipulating includes plastically deforming at least a portion of said anastomosis device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said anastomosis device is composed of stainless steel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said first flange includes a plurality of elements spaced apart from one another at their distal ends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said elements are arranged substantially radially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the anastomosis device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said connecting includes penetrating the graft vessel with at least one said element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said manipulating includes moving at least a portion of at least one said element away from at least a portion of a different said element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said anastomosis device is unitary. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said translating comprises translating the distal end of said expander from a position within said anastomosis device to a position distal to and outside of said anastomosis device.