Medical anastomosis apparatus

Abstract

A connector for use in providing an anastomotic connection between two tubular body fluid conduits in a patient. The connector is preferably a single, integral, plastically deformable structure that can be cut from a tube. The connector has axial spaced portions that include members that are radially outwardly deflectable from other portions of the connector. The connector is annularly enlargeable so that it can be initially delivered and installed in the patient in a relatively small annular size and then annularly enlarged to provide the completed anastomosis. The radially outwardly deflected members of the first and second portions respectively engage the two body fluid conduits connected at the anastomosis and hold those two conduits together in fluid-tight engagement. Apparatus for use in delivering and deploying a connector is also disclosed.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for inserting an annular anastomotic connector into a side wall of a tubular body tissue conduit comprising: 
 substantially conical tip structure having a cone angle less than about 15° and configured for passage through the side wall starting with an apex of the cone;    a shaft structure extending from the tip structure in a direction away from the apex and configured to receive the connector annularly around the shaft structure;    an inflatable annular balloon having a first cross-sectional radius at the distal end, and a second cross-sectional radius at the proximal end, wherein the second cross-sectional radius is greater than the first cross-sectional radius, wherein the inflatable annular balloon is configured for disposition annularly around the shaft structure and inside the connector around the shaft structure, wherein expansion of the balloon first causes deformation of distal fingers of the connector and subsequently causes radial expansion of the connector.