Method and Apparatus for Anastomosis Including an Anchoring Sleeve
Apparatus for performing a surgical anastomosis include a tubular body having an onion portion formed near the distal end of the tubular body. The apparatus includes a sleeve having a radius sized and dimensioned to slidably receive the tubular body therein. The apparatus includes a plunger assembly sized and dimensioned to be slidably received within the central lumen of the tubular body. The plunger assembly includes a distal end configured and adapted to deploy the onion portion.
1 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . An apparatus for joining a first body vessel and a second body vessel, comprising:
a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an expandable anchor formed near the distal end of the tubular body for engaging the first body vessel, the expandable anchor having a first position within a radial dimension of the tubular body and a second position outside the radial dimension of the tubular body, the expandable anchor having a plurality of ribs defining a plurality of longitudinally oriented slots;
a sleeve having an expandable cuff for engaging the second body vessel, the sleeve having a lumen for receiving the tubular body; and
a plunger assembly received in the tubular body and having a head portion longitudinally movable relative to the expandable anchor, the head portion dimensioned to press radially outward on the expandable anchor to deploy the expandable anchor from the first position to the second position.
15 . The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the expandable anchor has a plurality of barbs for engaging the first body vessel, the barbs being arranged to face in a proximal direction when the expandable anchor is in the second position.
16 . The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the head portion comprises a coupling element configured to selectively engage a corresponding coupling element formed near the distal end of the tubular body.
17 . The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the plunger assembly is movable to approximate the first body vessel and second body vessel after the coupling element of the head portion engages the coupling element of the tubular body.
18 . The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein each of the ribs have an intermediate flexure line.
19 . The apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein each of the ribs have an intermediate flexure line that is double articulating.
20 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the tubular body has a distal end that is open to a central lumen thereof.