Importance

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Abstract

To effect a simple anastomosis of a pair of severed blood vessel portions in a manner which insures patency of the anastomozed blood vessel, a member, preferably in the form of a ring, has structure for tethering the blood vessel portions thereto under radial stress with the intima of the blood vessel portions apposed. During surgery, the ring is disposed around an end of one of the severed blood vessel portions, and the blood vessel portions are tethered to the ring at at least three spaced apart locations stressing the blood vessel portions radially outward in several directions to evert the intima and hold the intima of the two portions against each other. To hold blood vessel portions in close proximity during anastomosis, a pneumatic clamping device is provided which grips the blood vessel portions with a precise force according to the fluid pressure supplied thereto. Precise control of gripping force assures a firm grip that is not excessive and does not damage the blood vessel portions. Preferably a portion of the clamping device is integrally formed with the ring and is frangible therefrom permitting the clamping device and ring to be prepackaged in a sterile container with the ring prepositioned relative to the clamping device and separated upon completion of the anastomosis.

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First Claim