Method for anastomosing vessels

1 . A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, each vessel having a wall surrounding a lumen, comprising:

providing a connector holder;

associating an end of the graft vessel with the connector holder;

positioning the connector holder outside of the lumen of the target vessel and outside the lumen of the graft vessel; and

actuating the connector holder to secure the associated end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said positioning includes positioning said connector holder against the outer surface of the wall of the target vessel.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said actuating includes deploying a plurality of connectors, wherein at least part of each connector moves through the wall of the graft vessel and then into the wall of the target vessel.

4 . The method of claim 3 , further comprising providing an anvil and inserting at least part of said anvil into the lumen of the target vessel; wherein said actuating includes deploying at least one said connector against said anvil.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said anvil includes a sharp distal end; and wherein said inserting includes penetrating substantially intact tissue of the wall of the target vessel with said sharp distal end of said anvil.

6 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said anvil includes a blunt distal end; further comprising creating an aperture in the wall of the target vessel before said inserting; wherein said inserting includes moving said blunt distal end of said anvil through the aperture.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating at least one flap at the associated end of the graft vessel.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said positioning brings each flap into contact with the outer surface of the target vessel.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said actuating includes deploying a plurality of connectors, wherein at least part of each connector moves through each flap and then into the wall of the target vessel.

10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating an opening in the wall of the target vessel to allow fluid communication between the graft vessel and the target vessel.

11 . A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, each vessel having a wall surrounding a lumen, comprising:

creating at least one flap at one end of the graft vessel;

securing each flap to an outer surface of the target vessel; and

making an opening in the wall of the target vessel to allow fluid communication between the graft vessel and the target vessel.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said securing includes deploying a plurality of connectors, wherein at least part of each connector moves through each flap and into the wall of the target vessel.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein at least one said connector is a staple.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said deploying includes plastically deforming at least one said connector.

15 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said deploying includes elastically deforming at least one said connector.

16 . The method of claim 12 , wherein said securing includes deploying at part of least one said connector through a corresponding flap and then into the wall of the target vessel.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said making is performed from inside the lumen of the target vessel.

18 . A method for connecting a graft vessel to a target vessel, each vessel having a wall surrounding a lumen, comprising:

creating at least one flap at one end of the graft vessel;

providing a plurality of connectors;

urging at least part of at least one said connector through a flap and into the wall of the target vessel; and

making an opening in the wall of the target vessel to allow fluid communication between the graft vessel and the target vessel.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said urging includes urging at least one said connector at a different time than at least one other said connector.

20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising providing a connector holder; wherein said urging is performed by said connector holder.

21 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said urging plastically deforms at least one said connector.

22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein said urging causes elastic deformation of at least one said connector.

23 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising providing an anvil and inserting at least part of said anvil into the lumen of the target vessel; wherein said urging includes urging at least one said connector against said anvil.

24 . The method of claim 18 , wherein at least one said connector includes a base and plurality of tines connected to said base; and wherein said urging includes urging said tines of at least one said connector through a flap and into the wall of the target vessel.