Importance

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Abstract

A method may comprise creating a first passage across a wall with a sharpened member at a first angle relative to a lumen; advancing an anchor assembly through the first passage such that a distal portion of the anchor assembly is placed within the blood vessel; applying a force to the anchor assembly to position an adjacent portion of the blood vessel wall into a desired contact configuration relative to the anchor assembly; and while maintaining the desired contact configuration, advancing a needle through a portion of the anchor assembly and through a portion of the wall of the blood vessel to form an expandable tract between overlapping tissue portions of the vessel wall, wherein a portion of the anchor assembly comprises a saddle-shaped needle receiving structure configured to receive and support the needle after it has been advanced across the portion of the wall to create the expandable tract.

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First Claim