US6398797B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tissue bonding system and method for controlling a tissue site during anastomosis
Assignee: Aesdex LLC
•
Filing: 2000-11-29
•
Granted: 2002-06-04
•
Expires: 2020-11-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for performing anastomosis uses an anvil to control and support a tissue site during an anastomosis procedure involving tissue bonding techniques such as tissue welding and adhesive tissue bonding. The anvil is particularly useful for supporting a wall of a coronary artery during attachment of a graft vessel in a coronary artery bypass graft procedure. The anvil is inserted into a pressurized or unpressurized target vessel and is pulled against an inner wall of the target vessel causing tenting of the thin tissue of the vessel wall. A graft vessel is then advanced to the anastomosis site and an end of the graft vessel is positioned adjacent an exterior of the target vessel. When tissue welding is used, a graft vessel fixture is positioned over the tissue surfaces to be welded in order to clamp the graft and target vessel tissue together. The tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil and/or graft vessel fixture are provided with one or more energy applying surfaces. Energy in the form of RF power, laser energy or ultrasonic energy is then applied to the compressed graft and target vessel tissue to weld the vessels together. When adhesive bonding is used, the adhesive may be applied to mating surfaces of the graft and/or target vessels either before or after the vessels are brought into contact. After tissue bonding is complete, an incision is formed in the wall of the target vessel to allow blood flow between the target vessel and the graft vessel. The incision may be made with an electro-cautery cutting device.
Inventors
- 👤 David Bombard
- 👤 Theodore Bender
- 👤 Tenny Chang
- 👤 Jaime Vargas
- 👤 Michael Hendricksen
- 👤 Stephen A. Yencho
- 👤 Jamey Nielsen
- 👤 Bernard A. Hausen
- 👤 Brendan Donohoe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/064; A61B17/0644; A61B17/11; A61B17/115; A61B17/1152; A61B17/04; A61B17/0469; A61B17/0482; A61B17/068; A61B17/072; A61B17/12; A61B17/122; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/07214; A61B2017/07278; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/1135; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/037; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of performing anastomosis comprising steps of: providing an anastomosis system comprising an elongated anvil and a graft vessel fixture movable with respect to said anvil, said graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil; inserting the elongated anvil through the wall of a target blood vessel and positioning the elongated anvil along an interior of the target blood vessel wall; positioning an end of a graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target blood vessel wall; moving the fixture toward the anvil to compress the graft and target vessel tissue between the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture; and applying energy to the tissue compressed between the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture to secure the graft and target vessels together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of performing anastomosis comprising steps of: providing an anastomosis system comprising an elongated anvil and a graft vessel fixture movable with respect to said anvil, said graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil; inserting the elongated anvil through the wall of a target blood vessel and positioning the elongated anvil along an interior of the target blood vessel wall; positioning an end of a graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target blood vessel wall; moving the fixture toward the anvil to compress the graft and target vessel tissue between the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture; and applying energy to the tissue compressed between the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the fixture to secure the graft and target vessels together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising steps of: making an opening in the target vessel to allow blood to flow between the target vessel and the graft vessel; and removing the anvil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise one or more electrodes and wherein the tissue welds are formed by applying RF energy via the electrodes to the compressed tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the anvil comprises a plurality of optical fibers having ends which are exposed at a tissue contacting surface thereof and wherein the tissue welds are formed by applying laser energy via the optical fibers to the compressed tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise optical fibers having ends which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces thereof and wherein the tissue welds are formed by applying laser energy via the optical fibers to the compressed tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping members of the graft vessel fixture comprise wires having ends which are exposed at the clamping surfaces thereof and wherein the tissue welds are formed by applying ultrasonic energy via the wires to the compressed tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 3 , wherein the electrodes on the graft vessel fixture comprise a plurality of projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with the anvil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 3 , wherein the anvil comprises a plurality of projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with the graft vessel fixture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein one or more of the projections are electrically isolated from the rest of the projections and wherein current is supplied sequentially to each electrically isolated projection.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein one or more of the projections are electrically isolated from the rest of the projections and wherein current is supplied sequentially to each electrically isolated projection.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the anvil is an elongated member having a substantially uniform cross-section and a sharpened end, and wherein the anvil is inserted in the target vessel by puncturing the wall of the target vessel with the sharpened end of the anvil.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the incision in the target vessel is made with a cutting device which is electrically connected to a power source, said method further comprising the step of causing electric current to flow through the tissue between the electrode surfaces on the anvil and the cutting device while the incision is being made to cauterize the incision.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein the anastomosis is performed on a pressurized target vessel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
123 words
An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel by the application of energy, the anastomosis system comprising: an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces thereon; and a graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil said fixture being movable relative to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the anastomosis site; wherein the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil or the clamping surfaces of the fixture are provided with one or more energy applying surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
123 words
An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel by the application of energy, the anastomosis system comprising: an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces thereon; and a graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil said fixture being movable relative to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the anastomosis site; wherein the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil or the clamping surfaces of the fixture are provided with one or more energy applying surfaces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , wherein the energy applying surfaces are electrodes provided on both the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil and the clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 15 , wherein the clamping surfaces of the fixture comprise a plurality of projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with the anvil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 15 , wherein the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil comprise a plurality of projections each of which forms a separate clamping surface with the graft vessel fixture.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 16 , wherein one or more of the projections are electrically isolated from the other projections.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The anastomosis system according to claims 17 , wherein one or more of the projections are electrically isolated from the other projections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , further comprising a cutting device which is electrically connected to a power source to form an electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , wherein the anvil comprises a plurality of optical fibers having ends which are exposed at the tissue contacting surfaces thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , wherein the clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise optical fibers having ends which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , wherein tissue clamping surfaces of the graft vessel fixture comprise wires having ends which are exposed at tissue contacting surfaces thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The anastomosis system according to claim 14 , wherein said fixture further comprises two arms movably mounted with respect to the clamping members, said clamping members and movable arms adapted for receiving and holding portions of the graft vessel therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
An anvil for use in performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel by the application of energy, the anvil comprising: a handle; and an elongated anvil arm extending from the handle, the anvil arm having at least one energy applying surface on a tissue contacting surface thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
An anvil for use in performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel by the application of energy, the anvil comprising: a handle; and an elongated anvil arm extending from the handle, the anvil arm having at least one energy applying surface on a tissue contacting surface thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The anvil according to claim 25 , wherein the energy applying surface comprises one or more electrode patches on an upper tissue contacting surface thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The anvil according to claim 25 , wherein the anvil further comprises a temperature or impedance sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The anvil according to claim 25 , wherein the energy applying surface comprises a plurality of optical fibers having ends which are exposed at the tissue contacting surface thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The anvil according to claim 25 , wherein the anvil further comprises at least one energy applying assembly movably mounted in a track such that the assembly can be moved along the length of the anvil.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The anvil according to claim 29 , wherein the energy applying assembly comprises optical fibers for application of laser energy.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anvil according to claim 29 , wherein the energy applying assembly comprises wires for application of ultrasonic energy.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The anvil according to claim 29 , wherein the energy applying assembly comprises electrodes for application of RF energy.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of performing an anastomosis between a target vessel and the end of a graft vessel comprising steps of: applying a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft vessel or target vessel; inserting an elongated anvil through the wall of the target vessel and positioning the anvil along an interior of the target vessel wall; positioning the end of the graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target vessel wall; and curing the adhesive.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
76 words
A method of performing an anastomosis between a target vessel and the end of a graft vessel comprising steps of: applying a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft vessel or target vessel; inserting an elongated anvil through the wall of the target vessel and positioning the anvil along an interior of the target vessel wall; positioning the end of the graft vessel adjacent an exterior of the target vessel wall; and curing the adhesive.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 33 , further comprising steps of: making an opening in the target vessel to allow blood to flow between the target vessel and the graft vessel; and removing the anvil.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the adhesive is activated by heat or light energy, the method further comprising applying heat or light energy to the adhesive.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the tissue adhesive is applied to the mating surfaces before the graft vessel is positioned adjacent the target vessel wall.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the tissue adhesive is applied to the mating surfaces after the graft vessel is positioned adjacent the target vessel wall.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 37 , wherein the tissue adhesive is applied to the mating surfaces with one or more hollow tubes or needles.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the tissue adhesive is applied to the mating surfaces by injecting the adhesive through an opening in the graft vessel tissue.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
130 words
An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel using a tissue adhesive, the anastomosis system comprising: an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces thereon; and a graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil, said fixture being movable relative to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the anastomosis site; wherein the anvil or the graft vessel fixture is provided with one or more tissue adhesive applicators adapted to supply a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft or target vessel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
130 words
An anastomosis system for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel using a tissue adhesive, the anastomosis system comprising: an elongated anvil having tissue contacting surfaces thereon; and a graft vessel fixture comprising clamping members each having one or more clamping surfaces adapted to compress the graft and target vessel tissue on opposite sides of the graft vessel against the tissue contacting surfaces of the anvil, said fixture being movable relative to the anvil so as to allow the graft and target vessel tissue to be clamped between the anvil and the fixture at the anastomosis site; wherein the anvil or the graft vessel fixture is provided with one or more tissue adhesive applicators adapted to supply a tissue adhesive to mating surfaces of the graft or target vessel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The anastomosis system of claim 40 , wherein the anvil is provided with a tissue adhesive applicator.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
The anastomosis system of claim 40 , wherein the graft vessel fixture further comprises a pin assembly adapted to trap the graft vessel against the clamping members, wherein the pin assembly is provided with one or more tissue adhesive applicators.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
The anastomosis system of claim 40 , wherein the tissue adhesive applicator is a hollow tube or needle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |