公开(公告)号：US06758808B2

公开(公告)日：2004-07-06

申请号：US09769964

申请日：2001-01-24

申请人： David J. Paul ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Harry L. Green ,  Harry Ino ,  Charles S. Taylor

发明人： David J. Paul ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Harry L. Green ,  Harry Ino ,  Charles S. Taylor

IPC分类号： A61B132

CPC分类号： A61B17/0206 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  A61B2017/306 ,  A61G13/12

摘要： Stabilization devices, systems and methods for stabilizing tissue to perform a surgical operation while the heart of the patient continues to beat. A stabilization system including a tissue contact member having a surface adapted to contact the tissue and temporarily maintain the tissue in a relatively immobilized state; and a maneuverable arm attached to the tissue contact member, which includes at least one articulating joint formed by a link having a male articulating surface composed of angled teeth and a female articulating surface having angled trenches adapted to receive the angled teeth.

摘要翻译： 稳定装置，系统和方法，用于在患者的心脏继续击打的同时稳定组织以执行外科手术。 一种稳定系统，包括具有适于接触组织并暂时维持组织处于相对固定状态的表面的组织接触构件; 以及附接到组织接触构件的可机动臂，其包括由具有由成角度的齿组成的阳性关节表面的连杆形成的至少一个铰接接头和具有适于接收成角度的齿的具有成角度的沟槽的阴性铰接表面。

公开(公告)号：US06346077B1

公开(公告)日：2002-02-12

申请号：US08789751

申请日：1997-01-27

申请人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

发明人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

IPC分类号： A61B132

CPC分类号： A61B17/0218 ,  A61B17/00234 ,  A61B17/02 ,  A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0642 ,  A61B17/12 ,  A61B17/3421 ,  A61B17/3423 ,  A61B90/00 ,  A61B2017/00243 ,  A61B2017/00557 ,  A61B2017/00703 ,  A61B2017/00858 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  A61B2017/1139 ,  A61B2017/2825 ,  A61B2017/2913 ,  A61B2017/2929 ,  A61B2017/306 ,  A61B2017/349

摘要： The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site. By fixing the position of the stabilizing means in a configuration where the motion of the beating heart is effectively eliminated, the surgeon is able to stabilize the beating heart for the duration of the procedure. The stabilizing means may be attached to a rigid support or may be attached to a semi-rigid support which is rendered motionless mechanically, chemically, or by human intervention. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing means is affixed to a semi-rigid support which is caused to become rigid, by any of a variety of techniques, such that the position of the stabilizing means becomes fixed by the support, and the heart remains substantially motionless for the duration of the procedure.

摘要翻译： 本发明是外科医生可以在心脏手术过程中稳定跳动心脏的方法和装置。 根据本发明，稳定装置通过胸部的开口引入并与打浆心接触。 通过将心脏与装置接触并且通过在装置上施加稳定力，由心脏肌肉收缩引起的心脏的运动被有效地消除，使得心脏稳定，并且手术部位仅在最小程度上移动，如果在 所有。 通常，在单独的步骤中，外科医生将心脏与稳定装置接触，评估吻合部位的移动程度，并对稳定装置施加力，使得跳动心脏的收缩导致手术时的最小过度运动 现场。 通过将稳定装置的位置固定在跳动心脏的运动被有效地消除的构造中，外科医生能够在手术期间稳定跳动的心脏。 稳定装置可以附接到刚性支撑件，或者可以附接到半刚性支撑件，其通过机械，化学方式或通过人为干预使其不动。 在某些优选实施例中，稳定装置通过各种技术中的任一种被固定到半刚性支撑件上，使其变得刚性，使得稳定装置的位置由支撑件固定，并且心脏基本保持 在程序期间不动。

公开(公告)号：US08277476B2

公开(公告)日：2012-10-02

申请号：US10684557

申请日：2003-10-14

申请人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

发明人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

IPC分类号： A61M29/00

CPC分类号： A61B17/3421 ,  A61B17/00234 ,  A61B17/02 ,  A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0218 ,  A61B17/0642 ,  A61B17/12 ,  A61B17/3423 ,  A61B17/8076 ,  A61B90/00 ,  A61B2017/00243 ,  A61B2017/00539 ,  A61B2017/00703 ,  A61B2017/00858 ,  A61B2017/00991 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  A61B2017/0648 ,  A61B2017/1139 ,  A61B2017/2825 ,  A61B2017/2913 ,  A61B2017/2929 ,  A61B2017/306 ,  A61B2017/349

摘要： The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site. By fixing the position of the stabilizing means in a configuration where the motion of the beating heart is effectively eliminated, the surgeon is able to stabilize the beating heart for the duration of the procedure. The stabilizing means may be attached to a rigid support or may be attached to a semi-rigid support which is rendered motionless mechanically, chemically, or by human intervention. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing means is affixed to a semi-rigid support which is caused to become rigid, by any of a variety of techniques, such that the position of the stabilizing means becomes fixed by the support, and the heart remains substantially motionless for the duration of the procedure.

摘要翻译： 本发明是外科医生可以在心脏手术过程中稳定跳动心脏的方法和装置。 根据本发明，稳定装置通过胸部的开口引入并与打浆心接触。 通过将心脏与装置接触并且通过在装置上施加稳定力，由心脏肌肉收缩引起的心脏的运动被有效地消除，使得心脏稳定，并且手术部位仅在最小程度上移动，如果在 所有。 通常，在单独的步骤中，外科医生将心脏与稳定装置接触，评估吻合部位的移动程度，并对稳定装置施加力，使得跳动心脏的收缩导致手术时的最小过度运动 现场。 通过将稳定装置的位置固定在跳动心脏的运动被有效地消除的构造中，外科医生能够在手术期间稳定跳动的心脏。 稳定装置可以附接到刚性支撑件，或者可以附接到半刚性支撑件，其通过机械，化学方式或通过人为干预使其不动。 在某些优选实施例中，稳定装置通过各种技术中的任一种被固定到半刚性支撑件上，使其变得刚性，使得稳定装置的位置由支撑件固定，并且心脏基本保持 在程序期间不动。

公开(公告)号：US06743169B1

公开(公告)日：2004-06-01

申请号：US09975392

申请日：2001-10-10

申请人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

发明人： Charles S. Taylor ,  William N. Aldrich ,  Thomas L. Baughman ,  Federico J. Benetti ,  Brian J. Bennett ,  Michael J. Billig ,  Thomas J. Fogarty ,  John J. Frantzen ,  Richard S. Ginn ,  Robert C. Glines ,  Harry L. Green ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Brent Regan ,  Eugene E. Reis ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Benjamin Sherman ,  Christian Skieller ,  Valavanur A. Subramanian ,  Gary B. Weller ,  William F. Witt

IPC分类号： A61B132

CPC分类号： A61B17/3421 ,  A61B17/00234 ,  A61B17/02 ,  A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0218 ,  A61B17/0642 ,  A61B17/12 ,  A61B17/3423 ,  A61B17/8076 ,  A61B90/00 ,  A61B2017/00243 ,  A61B2017/00539 ,  A61B2017/00703 ,  A61B2017/00858 ,  A61B2017/00991 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  A61B2017/0648 ,  A61B2017/1139 ,  A61B2017/2825 ,  A61B2017/2913 ,  A61B2017/2929 ,  A61B2017/306 ,  A61B2017/349

摘要： The invention is methods and devices which a surgeon may use to stabilize the beating heart during a surgical procedure on the heart. Pursuant to the invention, a stabilizing device is introduced through an opening in the chest and brought into contact with the beating heart. By contacting the heart with the device and by exerting a stabilizing force on the device, the motion of the heart caused by the contraction of the heart muscles is effectively eliminated such that the heart is stabilized and the site of the surgery moves only minimally if at all. Typically, in separate steps, the surgeon contacts the heart with the stabilizing means, assesses the degree of movement of the anastomosis site, and exerts a force on the stabilizing means such that the contraction of the beating heart causes orgy minimal excess motion at the surgery site. By fixing the position of the stabilizing means in a configuration where the motion of the beating heart is effectively eliminated, the surgeon is able to stabilize the beating heart for the duration of the procedure. The stabilizing means may be attached to a rigid support or may be attached to a semi-rigid support which is rendered motionless mechanically, chemically, or by human intervention. In certain preferred embodiments, the stabilizing means is affixed to a semi-rigid support which is caused to become rigid, by any of a variety of techniques, such that the position of the stabilizing means becomes fixed by the support, and the heart remains substantially motionless for the duration of the procedure.

公开(公告)号：US09498198B2

公开(公告)日：2016-11-22

申请号：US12768414

申请日：2010-04-27

申请人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

发明人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

IPC分类号： A61B17/02 ,  A61B17/04

CPC分类号： A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0483 ,  A61B90/50 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  Y10T403/32024 ,  Y10T403/32032

摘要： Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.

摘要翻译： 公开了用于稳定心脏的手术装置，其用于在跳动的心脏状况下进行吻合。 各种仪器或装置可以被操纵并固定在牵开装置上以提供心脏的稳定。 提供了一种仪器座，其优选地被配置为接受诸如组织稳定器的手术器械，并且允许器械容易地操纵到期望位置，并随后通过单个锁定致动器的简单操作而被锁定到位。 进一步公开的是稳定器装置，每个装置具有至少一个用于接触心脏的表面，并且每个表面适于安装到牵开器，同时具有相对于心脏定位在所需位置的能力。

公开(公告)号：US06685632B1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-03

申请号：US09958263

申请日：2002-03-06

申请人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard II Green ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

发明人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard II Green ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Dwight P. Morejohn ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

IPC分类号： A61B1700

CPC分类号： A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0483 ,  A61B90/50 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  Y10T403/32024 ,  Y10T403/32032

摘要： Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position. Stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart are provided.

摘要翻译： 用于稳定心脏的手术装置，其便于在心跳状态下吻合。 各种仪器或装置可以被操纵并固定在牵开装置上以提供心脏的稳定。 提供了一种仪器座，其优选地被配置为接受外科器械，例如组织稳定器，并且允许器械容易地操纵到期望的位置并随后锁定到位。 提供了每个具有用于接触心脏的至少一个表面的每个稳定器装置，并且每个表面适于安装到牵开器，同时具有抵抗心脏定位在所需位置的能力。

公开(公告)号：US20100210916A1

公开(公告)日：2010-08-19

申请号：US12768414

申请日：2010-04-27

申请人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

发明人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

IPC分类号： A61B1/32

CPC分类号： A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0483 ,  A61B90/50 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  Y10T403/32024 ,  Y10T403/32032

摘要： Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.

摘要翻译： 公开了用于稳定心脏的手术装置，其用于在跳动的心脏状况下进行吻合。 各种仪器或装置可以被操纵并固定在牵开装置上以提供心脏的稳定。 提供了一种仪器座，其优选地被配置为接受诸如组织稳定器的手术器械，并且允许器械容易地操纵到期望位置，并随后通过单个锁定致动器的简单操作而被锁定到位。 进一步公开的是稳定器装置，每个装置具有至少一个用于接触心脏的表面，并且每个表面适于安装到牵开器，同时具有相对于心脏定位在所需位置的能力。

公开(公告)号：US07736307B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-15

申请号：US10734353

申请日：2003-12-12

申请人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

发明人： Lawrence W. Hu ,  David J. Paul ,  Eugene Edward Reis ,  Harry Leonard Green, II ,  Joshua K. Wallin ,  Morejohn P. Dwight ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Gary B. Weller ,  Richard M. Ferrari

IPC分类号： A61B1/32

CPC分类号： A61B17/0206 ,  A61B17/0483 ,  A61B90/50 ,  A61B2017/0243 ,  Y10T403/32024 ,  Y10T403/32032

摘要： Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.

摘要翻译： 公开了用于稳定心脏的手术装置，其用于在跳动的心脏状况下进行吻合。 各种仪器或装置可以被操纵并固定在牵开装置上以提供心脏的稳定。 提供了一种仪器座，其优选地被配置为接受诸如组织稳定器的手术器械，并且允许器械容易地操纵到期望位置，并随后通过单个锁定致动器的简单操作而被锁定到位。 进一步公开的是稳定器装置，每个装置具有至少一个用于接触心脏的表面，并且每个表面适于安装到牵开器，同时具有相对于心脏定位在所需位置的能力。

公开(公告)号：US06071297A

公开(公告)日：2000-06-06

申请号：US956164

申请日：1997-10-22

申请人： Amr Salahieh ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Robert G. Matheny

发明人： Amr Salahieh ,  Charles S. Taylor ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Ivan Sepetka ,  Robert G. Matheny

IPC分类号： A61B17/11 ,  A61B17/12 ,  A61M29/00

CPC分类号： A61B17/12045 ,  A61B17/11 ,  A61B17/12109 ,  A61B17/12131 ,  A61B17/12136 ,  A61B2017/12127

摘要： A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device. A selected portion or portions of the device's outer circumference fit snugly within the artery in the regions beyond and/or at the anastomosis site, to maintain the latter free of blood. Several methods for deploying and removing respective embodiments of the device also are illustrated.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种远端灌注装置的多个实施例，该装置通过维持干吻合部位来促进吻合结构，同时在血管中保持血液向远端流动以防止局部缺血并减少总的患者创伤。 灌注装置被构造成通过其中的切口安装到诸如左前降支冠状动脉的血管中，其将被移植到诸如内部乳腺动脉的血管的远端。 该装置包括选定构型和材料的中心构件，其终端位于相应的选择性锥形端构件的任一端。 延伸穿过中心构件和端构件的内腔以及端构件中选择的穿孔保持血流通过灌注装置。 装置的外周的选定部分或部分适合紧贴在吻合部位之外和/或处于吻合部位的区域内的动脉内，以保持后者无血液。 还示出了用于部署和移除设备的各个实施例的几种方法。

公开(公告)号：US5925054A

公开(公告)日：1999-07-20

申请号：US790827

申请日：1997-01-23

申请人： Charles S. Taylor ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Son M. Gia ,  Jeff A. Krolic ,  Robert G. Matheny ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka

发明人： Charles S. Taylor ,  Alfredo R. Cantu ,  Son M. Gia ,  Jeff A. Krolic ,  Robert G. Matheny ,  Amr Salahieh ,  Ivan Sepetka

IPC分类号： A61B17/00 ,  A61B17/04 ,  A61B17/11 ,  A61B17/12 ,  A61B17/08

CPC分类号： A61B17/11 ,  A61B17/12045 ,  A61B17/12109 ,  A61B17/12131 ,  A61B17/12136 ,  A61B17/1219 ,  A61B17/0469 ,  A61B2017/1135 ,  A61B2017/12127

摘要： A plurality of embodiments of a distal perfusion device are disclosed, which device facilitates anastomosis constructions by maintaining a dry anastomosis site while simultaneously maintaining blood flow distally in the blood vessel to prevent ischemia and reduce overall patient trauma. The perfusion device is configured for installation into a blood vessel such as a left anterior descending coronary artery through an incision therein, to which is to be grafted a distal end of a blood vessel such as an internal mammary artery. The device includes a central member of selected configuration and material, terminating at either end thereof in respective selectively tapered end members. A lumen extending through the central member and end members, and selected perforations in the end members, maintain blood flow through the perfusion device. A selected portion or portions of the device's outer circumference fit snugly within the artery in the regions beyond and/or at the anastomosis site, to maintain the latter free of blood. Several methods for deploying and removing respective embodiments of the device also are illustrated.