Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus for effecting anastomosis of two hollow tube-like body members by first and second connector components, said apparatus comprising: (a) A first connector component supporting means having a distal end for supporting a first connector component and dimensioned to be inserted in and through a first tube-like body member to position said distal end generally adjacent a part of said first body member to be joined to a second body member; (b) a second connector component supporting means having a distal end and dimensioned to be inserted in and through a second tube-like body member to position its distal end adjacent a portion of said second tube-like body member to be joined to said first body member; (c) cooperating aligning and connecting means in said first and second connector component supporting means for locking their distal ends in axially aligned end-to-end relationship and for clamping the said tube-like body members together at their portions to be joined; (d) first and second connector components one of which is mounted on said first connector component supporting means and the other of which is mounted on said second connector component supporting means, said connector components having alignable mating components comprising male means on one connector component and female means on the other connector component which interlock to prevent separation upon movement of the male means into the female means; and (e) drive means for driving one of said connector components toward the other of said connector components to cause the male means to penetrate the clamped tube-like body members and enter the female means so as to interlock therewith to effect connection of the two tube-like body members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
276 words
An apparatus for effecting anastomosis of two hollow tube-like body members by first and second connector components, said apparatus comprising: (a) A first connector component supporting means having a distal end for supporting a first connector component and dimensioned to be inserted in and through a first tube-like body member to position said distal end generally adjacent a part of said first body member to be joined to a second body member; (b) a second connector component supporting means having a distal end and dimensioned to be inserted in and through a second tube-like body member to position its distal end adjacent a portion of said second tube-like body member to be joined to said first body member; (c) cooperating aligning and connecting means in said first and second connector component supporting means for locking their distal ends in axially aligned end-to-end relationship and for clamping the said tube-like body members together at their portions to be joined; (d) first and second connector components one of which is mounted on said first connector component supporting means and the other of which is mounted on said second connector component supporting means, said connector components having alignable mating components comprising male means on one connector component and female means on the other connector component which interlock to prevent separation upon movement of the male means into the female means; and (e) drive means for driving one of said connector components toward the other of said connector components to cause the male means to penetrate the clamped tube-like body members and enter the female means so as to interlock therewith to effect connection of the two tube-like body members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said drive means is on said second connector component supporting means and said first connector component supporting means includes an inflatable envelope on which said first connector component is mounted and means for injecting pressurized fluid into said inflatable envelope for rigidifying same so as to resist axial movement of said first connector component when said drive means is actuated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said connector components has a base plate of generally annular configuration on which said male means and female means are respectively mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said first and second connector components are formed of material which dissolves in response to being positioned in the human body for a predetermined minimum time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 4 additionally including annular knife means mounted on said drive means engaging and severing said annular tissue portions of said tube-like body members along a cylindrical surface radially inward of the tissue portions of the clamped tube-like body members penetrated by the male means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 4 additionally including catheter means positioned internally of said second connector component supporting means and having one end connected to the distal end of said first connector component supporting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first tube-like body member is the human urethra and said second tube-like body member is the human bladder and wherein said drive means is on said second connector component supporting means and said first connector component supporting means includes an inflatable envelope on which said first connector component is mounted and means for injecting pressurized fluid into said inflatable envelope for rigidifying same so as to resist axial movement of said first connector component when said drive means is actuated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of said connector components has a base plate of generally annular configuration on which said male means and female means are respectively mounted; and
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 8 additionally including annular knife means mounted on said drive means engaging and severing said annular tissue portions of said tube-like body members along a cylindrical surface radially inward of the tissue portions of the clamped tube-like body members penetrated by the male means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 9 additionally including catheter means positioned internally of said second connector component supporting means and having one end connected to the distal end of said first connector component supporting means.