Engagement device and method for deployment of anastomotic clips

Abstract

A coupling system includes an applicator tool, an anastomotic prosthesis mounted on the applicator tool, and an engagement device. The applicator tool deploys a securement through the prosthesis and tissue which leaves the prosthesis attached to the tissue. The engagement device selectively engages the applicator tool onto the tissue, with the use of suction, in order to facilitate accurate placement of the prosthesis on the tissue and facilitate deployment of the securement into the tissue. The applicator tool and the tissue are able to move together while the engagement device prevents or inhibits relative movement between the applicator tool and the tissue. A method for securing an anastomotic prosthesis to tissue includes applying of suction to engage an applicator tool to the tissue while a securement is deployed out of the applicator tool and into the prosthesis and the tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coupling system for connecting an anastomotic prosthesis to tissue, the system comprising:
 an applicator tool configured to deploy a securement into an anastomotic prosthesis and tissue; and   an engagement device attached to the applicator tool and configured to selectively engage and disengage the applicator tool to tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement device is configured to engage the tissue with application of suction to the engagement device, and is configured to disengage the tissue with removal of the suction. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement device includes a plurality of contact members, each contact member including a concave wall, the concave wall having an aperture through which suction can be applied. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling system of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement device includes a fluid conduit coupled to the apertures through which suction can be applied. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling system of  claim 3 , wherein the engagement device includes a coupling member to which the contact members are attached, the coupling member sized to receive a forward segment of the applicator tool. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling system of  claim 5 , wherein the coupling member is slideably coupled to the forward segment of the applicator tool. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment ring for connecting an artificial conduit to a hollow anatomical organ. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling system of  claim 7 , wherein the attachment ring is configured to connect an inflow conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling system of  claim 7 , wherein the applicator tool includes a connector mechanism configured to selectively hold and release the attachment ring, and the applicator tool is configured to deploy the securement into the attachment ring. 
     
     
         10 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement is a clip having a sharp tip for piercing the tissue. 
     
     
         11 . A method for connecting an anastomotic prosthesis to tissue, the method comprising:
 applying suction to an engagement device attached to an applicator tool, the applicator tool configured to deploy a securement into an anastomotic prosthesis and tissue; and   deploying the securement into the anastomotic prosthesis and the tissue during the applying of the suction to the engagement device,   wherein the applying of the suction inhibits or prevents relative movement between the applicator tool and the tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising removing the suction from the engagement device after the deploying of the securement, wherein the applying of the suction causes the engagement device to engage the tissue, and the removing of the suction causes the engagement device to disengage the tissue. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the applying of the suction to the engagement device includes applying the suction to a plurality of contact members disposed on the tissue, each contact member including a concave wall, the concave wall having an aperture through which suction is applied. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the suction is applied through a fluid conduit coupled to the apertures. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising placing a forward segment of the applicator tool in a coupling member, the contact members being attached to the coupling member. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting an axial position of the contact members by sliding the coupling member on the forward segment of the applicator tool. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the anastomotic prosthesis is an attachment ring for connecting an artificial conduit to a hollow anatomical organ, and the method further comprises positioning the attachment ring on the hollow anatomical organ before applying the suction to the engagement device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising connecting an inflow conduit of a ventricular assist device to the attachment ring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the positioning of the attachment ring on the tissue is performed while the attachment ring is mounted on the applicator tool, and the method further comprises releasing the attachment ring from the applicator tool after the deploying of the securement. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the securement is a clip having a sharp tip for piercing the tissue.