Urethral anastomosis device and method

1. A two-part coupling assembly for re-connecting a first hollow body part to a second hollow body part and for emplacement by an instrument, the coupling assembly comprising:

a first coupling part having a first outer circumference and first securement elements for deployment, by actuation of a first deployment mechanism of the instrument, to attach to the first body part, the first securement elements comprising first securement element cam surfaces adapted for engagement of corresponding first deployment mechanism cam surfaces disposed on the first deployment mechanism; and

a second coupling part having a second outer circumference and second securement elements for deployment, by actuation of a second deployment mechanism of the instrument, to attach to the second body part, the second securement elements comprising second securement element cam surfaces adapted for engagement of corresponding second deployment mechanism cam surfaces disposed on the second deployment mechanism;

wherein, prior to deployment of the first and second securement elements, the first and second securement elements are disposed radially within the first and second outer circumferences of the first and second coupling parts,

wherein the first and second securement elements are deployed through engagement of the first and second securement element cam surfaces with the corresponding first and second deployment mechanism cam surfaces to deploy at least a portion of each of the first and second securement elements to a radial position outside of the first and second outer circumferences for respective engagement with the first and second hollow body parts, and

wherein the first and second coupling parts having interconnecting elements for coupling together.

2. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securenient elements of at least one of the first or second coupling parts are movably mounted to the first coupling part or the second coupling part.

3. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securement elements are pivotally mounted to the first and second coupling parts and adapted to extend radially outward from the first and second coupling parts when deployed.

4. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second coupling parts further comprise interconnecting elements adapted to secure the first coupling part to the second coupling part, wherein the interconnecting elements are selected from the group consisting of snap-fit connectors, detents, push-pin assemblies, threaded connectors, and releasably interlocking catch surfaces.

5. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first coupling part comprises an upper ring defining a lumen, and the second coupling part comprises a lower ring defining a lumen that is generally coaxial with the lumen defined by the upper ring.

6. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the securement elements of at least one of the first or second coupling parts are flexibly mounted to said first or second coupling part.

7. The two-part coupling assembly of claim 1 , wherein the two-part coupling assembly is formed from a biodegradable material.

8. An anastomosis device for joining a first vessel portion to a second vessel portion comprising:

a first ring assembly defining a first internal passageway therethrough and adapted to engage the first vessel portion, the first ring comprising:

a plurality of first securement elements being movable between a first position wherein the first securement elements are located within an outer circumference of the first ring and a second position and adapted to at least partially penetrate tissue of the first vessel portion in the second position; and

at least one first connecting element;

a second ring assembly defining a second internal passageway therethrough and adapted to engage the second vessel portion, the second ring comprising:

a plurality of second securement elements being movable between a first position wherein the second securement elements are located within an outer circumference of the second ring and a second position and adapted to at least partially penetrate tissue of the second vessel portion in the second position; and

at least one second connecting element adapted to engage the at least one first connecting element, wherein when the at least one first connecting element engages the at least one second connecting element, the first and second internal passageways are adjacent to each other to form a single anastomosis passageway extending through the first and second rings; and

a deployer device having the first and second ring assemblies positioned at least partially on an exterior thereof for insertion into the first and second vessel portions;

wherein, prior to deployment of the first and second securement elements, the first and second ring assemblies are axially spaced apart from each other, and

wherein after deployment of at least one of the first and second securement elements, the first and second ring assemblies are drawn axially together towards each other until the first and second connecting elements engage each other.

9. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the at least one first connecting element engages the at least one second connecting element, the first and second internal passageways are coaxial thereby forming a single anastomosis passageway extending through the first and second ring assemblies.

10. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the first ring assembly has an outer circumference, and wherein, when the plurality of first securement elements are in the first position, the plurality of first securement elements are disposed radially inward of the outer circumference, and

wherein when the plurality of first securement elements are in the second position, at least a portion of the plurality of first securement elements is disposed radially outward of the outer circumference.

11. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the second ring assembly has an outer circumference, and wherein, when the plurality of second securement elements are in the first position, the plurality of second securement elements are disposed radially inward of the outer circumference, and

wherein when the plurality of second securement elements are in the second position, at least a portion of the plurality of second securement elements is disposed radially outward of the outer circumference.

12. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the deployer device comprises proximal and distal ends and an elongated portion extending therebetween, wherein the deployer device includes a deployment mechanism located at the distal end thereof and operable to actuate each of the first and second securement elements from the first position to the second position.

13. The anastomosis device of claim 12 , wherein the deployer device is further operable to: (i) actuate the first and second securement elements when the first and second ring assemblies are spaced apart from each other; and (ii) draw the first and second ring assemblies towards each other until the first connecting element mates with the second connecting element.

14. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first and second pluralities of securement elements is movably mounted to the respective first or second ring assembly.

15. The anastomosis device of claim 8 , wherein the first and second ring assemblies are formed from a biodegradable material.

16. An anastomosis device for performing an anastomosis of two vessels comprising:

a first ring assembly means for engaging a first vessel, the first ring assembly means comprising a first connector element;

a second ring assembly means for engaging a second vessel, the second ring assembly means comprising a second connector element; and

an insertion device that inserts the first and second ring assembly means into the respective first and second vessels,

wherein the first and second ring assembly means are spaced apart during insertion into the respective first and second vessels and the first and second ring assembly means are drawn together after engagement of the first and second vessels;

wherein at least one of the first or second ring assembly means further comprises tissue engagement means for engaging the first or second vessel through penetration of the first or second vessel in an axial and radially outward direction from the respective first or second ring assembly means; and

wherein the first and second connector elements join the first and second ring assemblies.

17. The anastomosis device of claim 16 , wherein the first and second ring assembly means each comprise tissue engagement means and the tissue engagement means of the first ring assembly means is positioned in an opposing direction to the tissue engagement means of the second ring assembly means.

18. A method of performing an anastomosis of two vessels comprising:

providing an anastomosis device comprising:

a first ring assembly having (i) at least one first securement element adapted to engage a first vessel and (ii) at least one first connecting element,

a second ring assembly having (i) at least one second securement element adapted to engage a second vessel and (ii) at least one second connecting element adapted to matingly engage the at least one first connecting element, and

an insertion device adapted to insert the first ring assembly and second ring assembly into the first and second vessels, wherein the first and second ring assemblies are releasably mounted on the insertion device;

inserting the insertion device into an area to be anastomosed, wherein the first ring assembly is inserted within the first vessel and the second ring assembly is inserted within the second vessel wherein the first and second ring assemblies are spaced apart by the insertion device;

actuating the at least one first securement element to engage the first vessel by positioning the first securement element to extend in a generally radially outward and axial direction from the first ring assembly, thereby securing the first ring assembly to the first vessel;

actuating the at least one second securement element to engage the second vessel by positioning the second securement element to extend in a generally radially outward and axial direction from the second ring assembly, thereby securing the second ring assembly to the second vessel;

after actuation of the first and second securement elements, drawing the first and second ring assemblies together until the at least one first connecting element mates with the at least one second connecting element;

releasing the insertion device from the first and second ring assemblies; and

withdrawing the insertion device from the area to be anastomosed.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of actuating the first securement element further comprises the step of moving at least a portion of the first ring assembly in a first direction with respect to one of the insertion device or the second ring assembly in order to deploy the at least one first securement element.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the step of actuating the second securement element further comprises further comprising the step of moving at least a portion of the second ring assembly in a second direction with respect to one of the insertion device or the first ring assembly in order to deploy the at least one second securement element.

21. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first and second ring assemblies are constructed of biodegradable material.