Design, fabrication, and testing of a novel end-to-end vascular coupling system

Microvascular anastomosis is common and necessary during reconstructive and free tissue transfer surgeries. Traditional hand suturing techniques are time consuming, subject to human error, and require complex instruments. Prior attempts including staples, ring-pin devices, cuffing devices, and clips were either more cumbersome, were unable to maintain a tight seal, or did not work for both arteries and veins. To provide a more efficient and reliable vessel anastomosis, a pin-free vascular coupling system that can be used for both arteries and veins was designed and manufactured. A set of corresponding instruments were developed to facilitate the anastomosis process. Both bench testing and ex vivo testing were performed to evaluate the operating abilities of the vascular coupling system. Preliminary studies were performed on cadaver pigs.