Rapid-deployment stapling system for aortic graft connection

This technology is a surgical stapling device that quickly and securely joins a synthetic vascular graft to the aorta in a single step, streamlining emergency aortic repairs and lowering the risk of bleeding and tissue damage.

Unmet Need: Faster, safer method for aortic graft attachment

Current repair of life-threatening aortic injuries relies on hand-sewn sutures to connect a vascular graft to the damaged vessel. This approach is technically demanding, requires significant operative time, and can place damaging stress on fragile aortic tissue, leading to postoperative bleeding. These limitations are particularly critical in emergency situations, where prolonged procedure time and tissue trauma can increase mortality risk. There is a need for a faster, less traumatic, and more consistent method for creating secure vascular connections in high-stakes surgical environments.

The Technology: Circular stapling device for rapid vascular grafting

This device enables secure attachment of a synthetic vascular graft to the aorta using a circular array of staples deployed in a single action. A central anvil aligns the graft and vessel, while the staple mechanism creates a uniform, circumferential connection without the need for hand-sewn sutures. The design minimizes manipulation of fragile vessel tissue, reducing the risk of bleeding from suture holes and improving procedural consistency.

Prototype bench testing demonstrated a reduction in average anastomosis time from over 15 minutes with conventional suturing to under 4 minutes using the device, while maintaining a leak-free seal.

Applications:

• Emergency repair of acute Type A aortic dissection
• Surgical treatment of aortic aneurysm
• Creation of vascular anastomoses in organ transplantation
• Trauma surgery involving major vessel repair
• Reconstructive vascular surgery
• Potential adaptation for gastrointestinal, urological, or other soft tissue anastomoses

Advantages:

• Reduces anastomosis time compared to hand-sewn sutures
• Minimizes trauma to fragile vascular tissue
• Produces a uniform, circumferential seal without suture holes
• Improves procedural consistency in high-pressure surgical settings
• Compatible with multiple graft sizes through device variations

Lead Inventor:

Syed Tasnim Raza, M.D.

Patent Information:

Related Publications:

• Raza ST. “A Circular Surgical Stapler Designed to Anastomose Aorta and Dacron Tube Graft: Validation of the Concept and Comparison to Hand Sewn Anastomosis in Bench Experiments” Aorta (Stamford). 2013 Jun 1; 1(1): 71–77

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU25342

• Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez