Vessel sealing devices
A device for temporarily sealing an opening in a blood vessel is provided. The device comprises a cutting mechanism for creating an opening in a blood vessel and a seal for sealing the opening in the blood vessel. The seal is delivered through an inner lumen of a tool body coupled to the cutting mechanism. Methods for using the device to construct an anastomosis between two vessels are also provided.
1. A method of constructing an anastomosis between a first vessel and a second vessel comprising: providing a device comprising an electrode for creating an opening in a vessel and a seal having a plurality of seal members for sealing the opening in the vessel; positioning the electrode adjacent a wall of the first vessel; applying sufficient energy to the electrode to form an opening in the first vessel; delivering the seal into the opening in the first vessel wherein the plurality of seal members are in a stacked first configuration; rotating a handle coupled to a shaft and to the seal members in a first direction to radially spread the plurality of seal members about an axis of the opening into a fanned-out second configuration to seal the opening; attaching the second vessel to the first vessel to form the anastomosis; rotating the handle in a second direction to arrange the plurality of seal members in the stacked first configuration; and removing the seal from the opening.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first configuration is a low-profile configuration.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second configuration is an expanded-profile configuration.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering one or more fluids to the first vessel while the seal is in a second configuration.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering one or more agents to the first vessel while the seal is in a second configuration.
6. A method of constructing an anastomosis between a first vessel and a second vessel comprising: providing a sealing assembly comprising a seal and a shaft wherein the seal includes a plurality of seal members; positioning the shaft so that at least a portion of the shaft is positioned within the second vessel; creating an opening in the first vessel; inserting the seal through the opening wherein the plurality of seal members are in a stacked first configuration; rotating a handle coupled to the shaft and to the seal members in a first direction to radially spread the plurality of seal members about an axis of the opening into a fanned-out second configuration to seal the opening; attaching the second vessel to the first vessel to form the anastomosis; rotating the handle in a second direction to arrange the plurality of seal members in the stacked first configuration; and removing the seal through the second vessel.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the first configuration is a low-profile configuration.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the second configuration is an expanded-profile configuration.
9. The method of claim 6 further comprising delivering one or more fluids to the first vessel while the seal is in a second configuration.
10. The method of claim 6 further comprising delivering one or more agents to the first vessel while the seal is in a second configuration.