Distal anastomosis system

1. An anastomosis connector system comprising a fitting comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to a graft,

a leading segment extending from said base and adapted for introduction into a host vessel;

a rear segment extending from said base, wherein said fitting has a length dimension extending from said leading segment to said rear segment and has a width dimension transverse to said length dimension, wherein said length dimension is greater than said width dimension; and

a hinge zone associated with said base and comprising at least one torsion member,

wherein by means of said at least one torsion member said rear segment is torsionally deflectable about said binge zone relative to said base such that said fitting can be advanced into a host vessel and wherein, upon returning to a substantially undeflected position, said rear segment prohibits retraction of said fitting from the host vessel;

wherein said fitting comprises a plurality of interconnected links having spaces therebetween and adapted to engage the inner surface of the host vessel wherein the area of contact between the interconnected links and the inner surface area of the host vessel is no greater than about 35% of the total area of the fitting upon forming an anastomosis.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein at least said leading and rear segments are formed from said interconnected links.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said fitting further comprises at least one lateral portion positioned between said leading segment and said rear segment, and said at least one lateral portion is formed from said interconnected links.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said at least one lateral portion provides a smooth transition between said leading segment and said rear segment.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said base and said rear segment are positioned relative to each other wherein said graft is positioned at an angle with said host vessel upon operative engagement of said fitting within said graft and said host vessel.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said angle is in the range from about 20° to about 70°.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said leading segment has a rounded-toe configuration.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said rear segment has an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface and further wherein at least a portion of said at least one torsion member faces said inwardly facing surface.

9. An anastomosis connector system comprising a fitting comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to a graft,

a leading segment extending from said base and adapted for introduction into a host vessel;

a rear segment extending from said base, wherein said fitting has a length dimension extending from said leading segment to said rear segment and has a width dimension transverse to said length dimension, wherein said fitting has a tubular configuration along said length dimension; and

a hinge zone associated with said base and comprising at least one torsion member,

wherein by means of said at least one torsion member said rear segment is torsionally deflectable about said hinge zone relative to said base such that said fitting can be advanced into a host vessel and wherein, upon returning to a substantially undeflected position, said rear segment prohibits retraction of said fitting from the host vessel;

wherein said fitting comprises a plurality of interconnected links having spaces therebetween and adapted to engage the inner surface of the host vessel wherein the area of contact between the interconnected links and the inner surface area of the host vessel is no greater than about 35% of the total area of the fitting upon forming an anastomosis.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein at least said leading and rear segments are formed from said interconnected links.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said fitting further comprises at least one lateral portion positioned between said leading segment and said rear segment, and said at least one lateral portion is formed from said interconnected links.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said at least one lateral portion provides a smooth transition between said leading segment and said rear segment.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said base and said rear segment are positioned relative to each other wherein said graft is positioned at an angle with said host vessel upon operative engagement of said fitting within said graft and said host vessel.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said angle is in the range from about 20° to about 70°.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein said leading segment has a rounded-toe configuration.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein said rear segment has an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface and further wherein at least a portion of said at least one torsion member faces said inwardly facing surface.

17. An anastomosis connector system comprising a fitting comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to a graft,

a leading segment extending from said base and adapted for introduction into a host vessel;

a rear segment extending from said base, wherein said fitting has a length dimension extending from said leading segment to said rear segment and has a width dimension transverse to said length dimension, wherein said fitting has an asymmetrical configuration about said width dimension; and

a hinge zone associated with said base and comprising at least one torsion member,

wherein by means of said at least one torsion member said rear segment is torsionally deflectable about said hinge zone relative to said base such that said fitting can be advanced into a host vessel and wherein, upon returning to a substantially undeflected position, said rear segment prohibits retraction of said fitting from the host vessel;

wherein said fitting comprises a plurality of interconnected links having spaces therebetween and adapted to engage the inner surface of the host vessel wherein the area of contact between the interconnected links and the inner surface area of the host vessel is no greater than about 35% of the total area of the fitting upon forming an anastomosis.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein at least said leading and rear segments are formed from said interconnected links.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said fitting further comprises at least one lateral portion positioned between said leading segment and said rear segment, and said at least one lateral portion is formed from said interconnected links.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said at least one lateral portion provides a smooth transition between said leading segment and said rear segment.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein said base and said rear segment are positioned relative to each other wherein said graft is positioned at an angle with said host vessel upon operative engagement of said fitting within said graft and said host vessel.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein said angle is in the range from about 20° to about 70°.

23. The system of claim 17 wherein said leading segment has a rounded-toe configuration.

24. The system of claim 17 wherein said rear segment has an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface and further wherein at least a portion of said at least one torsion member faces said inwardly facing surface.

25. An anastomosis connector system comprising a fitting comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to a graft, wherein said base defines an ovalized opening;

a leading segment extending from said base and adapted for introduction into a host vessel;

a rear segment extending from said base; and

a hinge zone associated with said base and comprising at least one torsion member,

wherein by means of said at least one torsion member said rear segment is torsionally deflectable about said hinge zone relative to said base such that said fitting can be advanced into a host vessel and wherein, upon returning to a substantially undeflected position, said rear segment prohibits retraction of said fitting from the host vessel;

wherein said fitting comprises a plurality of interconnected links having spaces therebetween and adapted to engage the inner surface of the host vessel wherein the area of contact between the interconnected links and the inner surface area of the host vessel is no greater than about 35% of the total area of the fitting upon forming an anastomosis.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein at least said leading and rear segments are formed from said interconnected links.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein said fitting further comprises at least one lateral portion positioned between said leading segment and said rear segment, and said at least one lateral portion is formed from said interconnected links.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein said at least one lateral portion provides a smooth transition between said leading segment and said rear segment.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein said base and said rear segment are positioned relative to each other wherein said graft is positioned at an angle with said host vessel upon operative engagement of said fitting within said graft and said host vessel.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein said angle is in the range from about 20° to about 70°.

31. The system of claim 25 wherein said leading segment has a rounded-toe configuration.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein said rear segment has an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface and further wherein at least a portion of said at least one torsion member faces said inwardly facing surface.

33. An anastomosis connector system comprising:

a fitting comprising:

a base adapted for attachment to a graft;

a leading segment extending from said base and adapted for introduction into a host vessel;

a rear segment extending from said base; and

a hinge zone associated with said base and comprising at least one torsion member,

wherein by means of said at least one torsion member said rear segment is torsionally deflectable about said hinge zone relative to said base such that said fitting can be advanced into a host vessel and wherein, upon returning to a substantially undeflected position, said rear segment prohibits retraction of said fitting from the host vessel;

wherein said fitting comprises a plurality of interconnected links having spaces therebetween and adapted to engage the inner surface of the host vessel wherein the area of contact between the interconnected links and the inner surface area of the host vessel is no greater than about 35% of the total area of the fitting upon forming an anastomosis; and a collar adapted for interfacing with said fitting external to said graft.

34. The system of claim 33 wherein said fitting base comprises an opening and said collar comprises an opening wherein said fitting opening and said collar opening are complementary.