Methods of attaching an implant to a vessel

Abstract

A method of attaching an implant to a vessel can include clamping a portion of a wall of a vessel within a patient. The method can also include positioning an implant adjacent to an outer surface of the wall of the vessel, and the implant can include an access port. The method can also include cutting the wall of the vessel about the portion of the wall that has been clamped, passing the portion of the wall that has been clamped and that has been cut about through the implant to remove the portion of the wall from the patient and to provide an opening in the vessel, and securing the implant to the vessel such that the access port is in direct fluid communication with an interior of the vessel via the opening in the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of attaching an implant to a vessel, the method comprising:
 clamping a portion of a wall of a vessel within a patient;   positioning an implant adjacent to an outer surface of the wall of the vessel, the implant comprising an access port;   cutting the wall of the vessel about the portion of the wall that has been clamped;   passing the portion of the wall that has been clamped and that has been cut about through the implant to remove the portion of the wall from the patient and to provide an opening in the vessel; and   securing the implant to the vessel such that the access port is in direct fluid communication with an interior of the vessel via the opening in the vessel.