Sutureless Device for Rapid Vascular Anastomosis

Brigham and Women's Hospital
posted on 05/12/2011

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Technology: Microsurgery is necessary for complex tissue reconstruction, and often requires anastomosis of small vessels that may be damaged or severed. Given that vessels are typically hand sewn during anastomosis procedures, these procedures are oftentimes only performed by a minority of surgeons in specialized centers, as these procedures are time-consuming, technically demanding and prone to complications. The investigator has invented a simple device that may be used to perform rapid anastomosis of two vessels. The device would maintain the vessel ends in a coapted and sealed arrangement. Application: The device may be used in performing vascular anastomosis procedures, particularly microvascular anastomosis procedures. Advantages: - Compared to the traditional method of hand-sewn vascular anastomoses, this device may reduce the degree of technical difficulty of the procedure, and thus shorten the length of time and reduce the level of skill required for these procedures. - Technical imperfections during the traditional hand-sewing process can lead to thrombosis and eventual tissue loss. The device may allow for more precise anastomosis, which could translate into a lower rate of anastomotic failure. Additionally, the device would hold the anastomotic site open mechanically, which may reduce the occurrence of thrombotic complications. - Unlike existing anastomotic devices, which are predominantly used in venous anastomosis procedures, the device may be used for anastomoses of any type of blood vessel.