Tool for deploying an anastomosis device

1 . A tool for deploying an anastomosis device, comprising:

an anastomosis device holder, wherein the anastomosis device is connected to the distal end of said anastomosis device holder; and

an expander movable relative to said anastomosis device holder, said expander including an expander tip.

2 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein said expander is movable in translation.

3 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of slots are defined in said expander tip, said slots defining segments therebetween.

4 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein at least one of said segments is sized differently from at least one other said segment.

5 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein said expander tip has an axis, and said segments are biased away from said axis.

6 . The tool of claim 3 , further comprising an expander collet defined on said expander tip.

7 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein said segments are biased outward from the axis of said expander tip.

8 . The tool of claim 3 , wherein said at least one said segment has a different width than at least one other said segment.

9 . The tool of claim 1 , further comprising a casing, said anastomosis device holder and said expander configured to translate relative to said casing.

10 . The tool of claim 9 , further comprising a contact structure at the distal end of said casing.

11 . The tool of claim 9 , further comprising a hollow introducer tip connected to said casing.

12 . The tool of claim 9 , further comprising an introducer tube slidably mounted within said casing, wherein said anastomosis device holder and said expander are slidably mounted within said introducer tube.

13 . The tool of claim 12 , further comprising a seal chamber connected to the distal end of said introducer tube.

14 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein said anastomosis device holder includes a collar at its distal end, wherein the anastomosis device is connected to said collar.

15 . The tool of claim 14 , wherein said collar is substantially tubular.

16 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein at least part of said anastomosis device holder is an open half-tube having a substantially semicircular cross-section.

17 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein said anastomosis device holder and said expander are substantially concentric.

18 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein said anastomosis device holder is a crown.

19 . The tool of claim 1 , wherein said expander tip includes an expander head at its distal end.

20 . The tool of claim 19 , wherein said expander head is radially compressible.

21 . The tool of claim 19 , wherein said expander tip is movable through at least part of the anastomosis device.

22 . A tool for deploying an anastomosis device, comprising:

an expander movable relative to the anastomosis device, said expander including an expander head at its distal end, wherein at least part of said expander head is movable in the radial direction.

23 . The tool of claim 22 , wherein said expander head is substantially radially symmetrical.

24 . The tool of claim 22 , wherein said expander head has a substantially longitudinal axis, and said segments are biased away from said axis.

25 . The tool of claim 24 , wherein said segments are biased outward from said axis.

26 . The tool of claim 22 , wherein said expander includes a body extending proximally from said expander head.

27 . The tool of claim 26 , wherein said body has a first diameter and wherein said expander head has a second diameter larger than said first diameter.

28 . The tool of claim 26 , further comprising a shoulder formed along at least a portion of the intersection between said expander head and said body.

29 . The tool of claim 28 , wherein said shoulder is angled relative to said body.

30 . The tool of claim 22 , wherein said expander head includes a lumen therethrough.

31 . A tool for deploying an anastomosis device, comprising:

a casing;

an expander movable relative to said casing; and

an anastomosis device holder movable relative to said casing, wherein the anastomosis device is connected to said anastomosis device holder.

32 . The tool of claim 31 , further comprising a single control connected to said casing; wherein said single control is configured to actuate said expander and said anastomosis device holder.

33 . The tool of claim 31 , further comprising a single control connected to said casing; wherein said expander and said anastomosis device holder are both translatable relative to said control.

34 . The tool of claim 31 , wherein said expander and said anastomosis device holder are movable relative to said casing.