US6736825B2 — Paired expandable anastomosis devices and related…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: first ring means for providing support for a first vessel at a first vessel opening, wherein the first ring means has a first ring opening, second ring means for providing support for a second vessel at a second vessel opening, wherein the second ring means has a second ring opening, wherein each ring means is adapted to expand and contract to enable each respective vessel opening to change in diameter, and wherein the ring means are configured to be structurally linked in a manner such that the first and second ring means expand and contract in unison and such that the first vessel remains anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings as the first and second ring means expand and contract.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: first ring means for providing support for a first vessel at a first vessel opening, wherein the first ring means has a first ring opening, second ring means for providing support for a second vessel at a second vessel opening, wherein the second ring means has a second ring opening, wherein each ring means is adapted to expand and contract to enable each respective vessel opening to change in diameter, and wherein the ring means are configured to be structurally linked in a manner such that the first and second ring means expand and contract in unison and such that the first vessel remains anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings as the first and second ring means expand and contract.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 35 words

The anastomosis device of claim 1 , further comprising locking means for locking the first ring means and the second ring means together such that the first vessel and the second vessel remain anastomosed together.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 47 words

The anastomosis device of claim 2 , wherein the locking means comprises guide means for guiding the movement of one ring means relative to the other ring means from a loading position with the first ring means offset from the second ring means to an anastomosis position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 48 words

The anastomosis device of claim 2 , wherein the first and second ring means are adapted to cooperate with attachment actuation means for approximating one of the ring means to the other ring means such that the device is moved from a loading position to an anastomosis position.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 46 words

The anastomosis device of claim 1 , wherein the first ring means further comprises holding means for holding the first vessel at the first vessel opening, and wherein the second ring means further comprises holding means for holding the second vessel at the second vessel opening.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The anastomosis device of claim 5 , wherein the holding means of at least one of the rings means has anchor means for more securely anchoring a vessel on the holding means.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 176 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring is adapted to expand and contract to enable each respective vessel opening to change in diameter, and wherein the rings are configured to be structurally linked in a manner such that the first and second rings expand and contract in unison and such that the first vessel remains anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings as the first and second rings expand and contract.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 176 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring is adapted to expand and contract to enable each respective vessel opening to change in diameter, and wherein the rings are configured to be structurally linked in a manner such that the first and second rings expand and contract in unison and such that the first vessel remains anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings as the first and second rings expand and contract.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 54 words

The anastomosis device of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of guideposts extending from one of the rings and a plurality of guides fixedly connected to the other ring, wherein the guideposts are positioned to slide into the guides in order to guide the rings from a loading position to an anastomosis position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the guides are sized to frictionally engage the guideposts such that the rings are maintained in the anastomosis position after the rings are brought together.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 53 words

The anastomosis device of claim 7 , wherein one of the rings has a plurality of legs with locking extensions and the opposite ring has a plurality of legs with slots positioned to receive the locking extensions, such that the rings are maintained in the anastomosis position after the rings are brought together.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 73 words

The anastomosis device of claim 7 , wherein each vessel has an intimal layer, and wherein the holding surfaces of each ring are positioned to capture vessel tissue in an everted configuration so that when the rings are in an anastomosis position the intimal layer of the portion of the first vessel defining a first vessel opening contacts the inimal layer of the portion of the second vessel defining a second vessel opening.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

The paired anastomosis device of claim 7 , wherein each vessel has an adventitial layer, wherein the holding surfaces of the first ring contact the adventital surfaces of the portion of the first vessel defining a first vessel opening, and wherein the holding surfaces of the second ring contact the adventital surfaces of the portion of the second vessel defining a second vessel opening.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 16 words

The anastomosis device of claim 7 , wherein each ring comprises a plurality of flexible segments.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 19 words

The anastomosis device of claim 13 , wherein each flexible segment comprises two adjoining arms in a V-shaped configuration.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 42 words

The anastomosis device of claim 13 , wherein each flexible segment has a configuration that is selected from the group consisting of a U-shaped configuration, a quadrilateral shaped configuration, a circular configuration, an elliptical configuration, a spiral-shaped configuration, and an oval-shaped configuration.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

The anastomosis device of claim 13 , wherein the holding surfaces of each ring are holding tabs.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 70 words

The anastomosis device of claim 16 , wherein each flexible segment of the plurality of flexible segments of each ring is adjoined to an adjacent flexible segment by a connecting joint, wherein each flexible segment of each ring has a flexible segment joint, wherein the holding tabs of the first ring extend from the connecting joints, wherein the holding tabs of the second ring extend from the flexible segment joints.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 151 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: first ring means for providing support for a first vessel at a first vessel opening, wherein the first ring means has a first ring opening, second ring means for providing support for a second vessel at a second vessel opening, wherein the second ring means has a second ring opening, wherein each ring means is adapted to be in a compressed position as the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening have an initial diameter, and wherein at least one ring means is adapted to radially expand to a deployed position after the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each ring means and vessel opening has a greater diameter than the initial diameter of each respective ring means and vessel opening.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 151 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: first ring means for providing support for a first vessel at a first vessel opening, wherein the first ring means has a first ring opening, second ring means for providing support for a second vessel at a second vessel opening, wherein the second ring means has a second ring opening, wherein each ring means is adapted to be in a compressed position as the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening have an initial diameter, and wherein at least one ring means is adapted to radially expand to a deployed position after the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each ring means and vessel opening has a greater diameter than the initial diameter of each respective ring means and vessel opening.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 186 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring is adapted to be in a compressed position as the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening have an initial diameter, and wherein at least one ring is adapted to radially expand to a deployed position after the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each ring and vessel opening has a greater diameter than the initial diameter of each respective ring and vessel opening.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 186 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring is adapted to be in a compressed position as the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening have an initial diameter, and wherein at least one ring is adapted to radially expand to a deployed position after the first vessel and second vessel are anastomosed together such that each ring and vessel opening has a greater diameter than the initial diameter of each respective ring and vessel opening.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 217 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring has a plurality of flexible segments from which the respective holding surfaces extend, and guides positioned to provide guided coaxial movement of the rings relative to each other so that the rings can be moved from a loaded position with the first ring offset from the second ring to an anastomosis position with the first vessel is anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings, wherein the plurality of flexible segments of each ring are adapted to enable each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening to change in diameter as each ring expands and contracts in response to changes in fluid pressure.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 217 words

A paired anastomosis device for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: a first ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a first ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening such that the first vessel opening is at the first ring opening, a second ring having a plurality of holding surfaces that define a second ring opening, wherein the holding surfaces are adapted to hold a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening such that the second vessel opening is at the second ring opening, wherein each ring has a plurality of flexible segments from which the respective holding surfaces extend, and guides positioned to provide guided coaxial movement of the rings relative to each other so that the rings can be moved from a loaded position with the first ring offset from the second ring to an anastomosis position with the first vessel is anastomosed to the second vessel at the first and second vessel openings, wherein the plurality of flexible segments of each ring are adapted to enable each respective ring opening and respective vessel opening to change in diameter as each ring expands and contracts in response to changes in fluid pressure.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 113 words

A method for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: holding a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening on a first ring, wherein the first ring is configured such that the diameter of a first ring opening defined by the first ring can expand and contract; holding a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening on a second ring, wherein the second ring is configured such that the diameter of a second ring opening defined by the second ring can expand and contract; bringing the first and second rings together such that the first vessel is in fluid communication with the second vessel.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 113 words

A method for holding a first vessel together with a second vessel comprising: holding a portion of a first vessel defining a first vessel opening on a first ring, wherein the first ring is configured such that the diameter of a first ring opening defined by the first ring can expand and contract; holding a portion of a second vessel defining a second vessel opening on a second ring, wherein the second ring is configured such that the diameter of a second ring opening defined by the second ring can expand and contract; bringing the first and second rings together such that the first vessel is in fluid communication with the second vessel.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 21 , further comprising the step of locking the first ring together with the second ring such that the first vessel and the second vessel remain anastomosed together.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein the first ring has one or more holding surfaces for holding the portion of the first vessel defining the first vessel opening, and wherein the second ring has one or more holding surfaces for holding the portion of the second vessel defining the second vessel opening.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 23 , wherein the holding surfaces are holding tabs.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 23 , wherein one or more of the holding surfaces have anchor means for more securely anchoring the vessels onto the holding surfaces.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein the first ring has a plurality of guideposts extending therefrom and the second ring has a plurality of guides, and wherein the guideposts are positioned to slide into the guides as the first and second rings are brought together.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 26 , wherein the guides are sized to frictionally engage the guideposts such that the rings are maintained in the anastomosis position after the rings are brought together.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein each ring comprises a plurality of flexible segments.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 28 , wherein each ring has one or more holding tabs.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 58 words

The method of claim 29 , wherein each flexible segment is adjoined to an adjacent flexible segment by a connecting joint, wherein each flexible segment has a flexible segment joint, wherein the holding tabs of the first ring extend from the connecting joints, and wherein the holding tabs of the second ring extend from the flexible segment joints.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 28 , wherein each flexible segment comprises two adjoining arms in a V-shaped configuration.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 28 , wherein each flexible segment has a configuration that is selected from the group consisting of a U-shaped configuration, a quadrilateral-shaped configuration, a circular configuration, an elliptical configuration, a spiral-shaped configuration, and an oval-shaped configuration.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein after the first and second rings are brought together, the first and second rings expand and contract in unison such that the first vessel remains anastomosed to the second vessel as the first and second rings expand and contract.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein the step of bringing the first and second rings together is achieved by using an attachment actuation device, which the first and second rings are adapted to cooperate with.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein the step of holding the first vessel is achieved after everting the portion of the first vessel defining the first vessel opening.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 21 , wherein the steps of holding the first and second vessels are both achieved by everting the portion of the first vessel defining the first vessel opening over the first ring and everting the portion of the second vessel defining the second vessel opening over the second ring.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-05-18	2007-11-17	2008-05-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-05-18	2011-11-17	2012-05-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-05-18	2015-11-17	2016-05-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Paired expandable anastomosis devices and related methods

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