Author: claimsbot

1. A method of providing to a user at least one offered price for an article comprising:
allowing the user to remotely enter configuration data to configure a desired article according to a preference of the user;
receiving the configuration data and forwarding the configuration data to a plurality of potential sellers of the article;
receiving selling bids representing offered selling prices from the potential sellers;
selecting at least one of the bids and forwarding the selected bid to the user;
charging a referral fee to the potential seller whose bid was forwarded to the user, the potential seller defining the selected seller.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
closing receipt of bids at a specified time; and,
while said receipt of bids is still open, sending to the user an electronic message advising that a new lowest bid has been received.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
providing to the user a personalized bid progress page on a global information network, the bid progress page displaying information regarding progress of selling bids received for the article as configured by the user.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of potential sellers of the article to whom the configuration data is forwarded are selected based on their closeness to the user.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of potential sellers of the article to whom the configuration data is forwarded are selected from a set of vendors using a selection method comprising a geographic filter and a random selection process.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending contact information for the user to the selected seller and sending contact information for the selected seller to the user.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the user receives information regarding the selected seller’s bid;
the user receives information regarding the bid of at least a second potential seller; and
the contact information for the second potential seller is sent to the user after the user has sent a command requesting that information.
8. The method of claim 7 further comprising sending contact information for the user to the second potential seller and charging a second referral fee to the second potential seller.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the bids represents a bid to sell to the user an article that is similar to but not identical to the article as configured by the user.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the article is a motor vehicle and the potential sellers are new motor vehicle dealers.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the article comprises a set of identically configured motor vehicles.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the article comprises a set of different products in respective specified quantities.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the article is an electronic device or system.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the bids represents a standing bid by a potential seller.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the standing bid is a bid that automatically expires after a specified period of time.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising notifying the potential sellers of a currently lowest bid and allowing the potential sellers to submit updated bids in response thereto.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein the notifying step comprises sending an email message.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein the notifying step comprises sending a facsimile transmission.
19. The method of claim 1 further comprising canceling or refunding the referral fee if the user cannot be effectively contacted through user-provided contact information within a predefined period of time.
20. A computer programmed to implement the method of claim 1.
21. A computer-readable media containing instructions capable of causing a computer to implement the method of claim 1.
22. A method comprising:
receiving across a computer network configuration data for an article from a potential purchaser;
automatically sending the configuration data to a plurality of participating dealers of like articles;
receiving at least a first quote from a first one of said dealers, said first quote being for providing an article that exactly matches the configuration data provided by the potential purchaser;
receiving from a second one of said dealers:
at least a second quote, said second quote being for providing a near-match article that closely but not exactly matches the configuration data; and
data indicating a difference between the near-match article and the configuration data provided by the potential purchaser;

automatically selecting from among a plurality of exact match quotes received a lowest exact match quote and forwarding the exact match quote to the potential purchaser; and
automatically forwarding contact information to at least one of the potential purchaser and the dealer who submitted the lowest exact match quote.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising:
charging a fee to the dealer who submitted the lowest exact match quote; and
not charging a fee to the potential purchaser.
24. The method of claim 22 further comprising:
allowing the potential purchaser to view the second quote corresponding to the near-match article;
providing to the potential purchaser the option to receive additional information regarding the second quote; and
if the potential purchaser elects to receive additional information regarding the second quote, then charging a fee to the dealer who submitted the second quote.
25. A method comprising:
receiving requests from a plurality of vendors to participate in a referral program;
receiving specification data from a potential purchaser;
selecting from the plurality of vendors a first subset of vendors based at least in part on the specification data, the first vendor subset including at least two members thereof;
communicating at least a portion of the specification data to the first vendor subset and receiving from the first vendor subset respective selling bids;
selecting from the received selling bids a first bid and forwarding the first bid to the potential purchaser;
communicating contact information for the potential purchaser to at least a first selected vendor whose selling bid was selected and forwarded to the potential purchaser; and
charging a fee to the first selected vendor.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein:
bids received initially from the first vendor subset define a first round of bids;
the method further comprises communicating at least one bid from the first round of bids to at least some members of the first vendor subset and receiving a second round of bids; and
the bid forwarded to the potential purchaser is a bid selected from the second round of bids.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:
extending a bid deadline if a lowest bid is received within a predetermined time of a scheduled bid deadline;
communicating the lowest bid to at least some of the vendors; and
allowing vendors to submit additional bids before the extended bid deadline.
28. The method of claim 25 further comprising:
allowing vendors to submit standing bids to be used when the specification data matches predefined standing bid criteria.
29. The method of claim 25 wherein said plurality of vendors are motor vehicle dealers, said specification data comprises configuration data for at least one motor vehicle, and the specification data is received over a global information network.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein the selling bids are transmitted by the vendors over a global information network.
31. A method comprising:
receiving electronically information regarding one or more articles from a potential purchaser;
sending electronically said information to a plurality of dealers of such articles;
receiving electronically offers from said dealers to sell articles at respective specified prices;
selecting at least one of said offers based on price, said selected offer having been submitted by a first dealer; and
forwarding contact information for the potential purchaser to the first dealer and charging a referral fee to the first dealer.
32. A method of facilitating competitive commerce comprising:
receiving an inquiry regarding a specified article from a potential purchaser thereof;
soliciting from sellers of like articles selling bids for said specified article and receiving selling bids in response thereto;
selecting a lowest bid from a bid pool, said bid pool comprising at least a subset of said received bids;
advising the potential buyer of the lowest bid and of the identity of the corresponding seller, said corresponding seller defining the bid winner;
providing a means for the bid winner to contact the potential buyer; and
charging a fee to the bid winner.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein said bid pool comprises only bids that are received from sellers who meet a geographic criterion relative to the potential purchaser.
34. The method of claim 33 wherein the potential purchaser specifies a maximum geographic distance.
35. The method of claim 32 wherein said receiving, soliciting, selecting, advising, and providing steps are performed automatically via at least one computer and a global information network.
36. In a system allowing a user to request a quote from a plurality of vendors for a user-configured article, the improvement comprising apprising the user electronically of progress of quotes received while a period for receiving said quotes remains open.
37. A method of soliciting and receiving competitive quotes for a user-configured article and communicating information about said quotes comprising:
allowing a consumer to configure an article using a browser program;
sending the configuration information to a plurality of vendors;
receiving respective quotes for the configured article from at least some of said vendors; and
while a quote period remains open for receiving additional quotes, apprising the user of progress of said quotes received.
38. The method of claim 37 wherein said apprising step comprises sending to the user an electronic mail message advising the user that a new lowest quote has been received.
39. The method of claim 37 wherein said apprising step comprises making available to the user a personalized quote progress page viewable by the user across a computer network using a browser program, said quote progress page allowing the consumer to view progress of quotes received.
40. The method of claim 39 wherein said personalized quote progress page includes a history of quotes received which, when those quotes were received, constituted the currently lowest quotes received for the article.
41. The method of claim 39 wherein said personalized quote progress page includes a history of all quotes received for the article.
42. The method of claim 40 wherein said personalized quote progress page includes quotes received for similar articles, said similar articles being configured similarly but not identically to the user-configured article, and information regarding how the similar articles for which quotes are provided differ from the user-configured article.
43. A system for facilitating competitive quotes for selling a shopper-configured article comprising:
means for allowing a shopper to specify a configuration of an article for possible purchase by the shopper;
means for electronically gathering a plurality of quotes for the article from a plurality of vendors;
means for automatically identifying one of said quotes as being a preferred quote;
means for forwarding the preferred quote to the shopper and specifically identifying the preferred quote as being preferred; and
means for allowing the vendor who submitted the preferred quote to contact the shopper.
44. The system of claim 43 further comprising means for charging the preferred vendor a fee unless the shopper cannot be effectively contacted using contact information provided by the shopper to the system.
45. The method of claim 43 further comprising means for allowing the shopper to monitor progress of quotes as new lowest quotes are received while a predefined period of time for receiving quotes is still open.
46. A system for gathering competitive quotes for a user-configured article and forwarding at least one of the quotes to a consumer, the system including a display page on a computer screen which allows a vendor to respond with a quote for an article that is configured similarly to but not exactly to the user-configured item, and to specify how the article offered by the vendor differs from the user-configured article.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An image marking device that marks an image on a substrate based on a tone reproduction curve, the image marking device comprising:
a control unit that digitally controls the tone reproduction curve;
a sensor that reads a calibration patch marked on the substrate by the image marking device;
a target unit that determines a target line width for images that will be marked on print media by the image marking device;
a calculating unit that calculates an estimated line width for images that will be marked on print media by the image marking device, based on the reading of the calibration patch by the sensor;
a comparing unit that compares the calculated estimated line width with the determined target line width; and
an adjusting unit that modifies one or more settings of the image marking device so that the calculated estimated line width becomes closer to the determined target line width, wherein
the control unit implements a digital correction that compensates for impact of the modification of the one or more settings on the tone reproduction curve, the digital correction maintains the tone reproduction curve independently from the one or more settings, and
the one or more settings include any of exposure intensity and cleaning field intensity.
2. The image marking device according to claim 1, wherein the calibration patch includes any of a halftone pitch, a predetermined density, a predetermined dot pattern or a predetermined line pattern.
3. The image marking device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor measures reflectance of the calibration patch.
4. The image marking device according to claim 1, wherein the image marking device is a xerographic marking device.
5. A method that adjusts an image marking device that marks on image on a substrate based on a tone reproduction curve, the method comprising:
digitally controlling the tone reproduction curve;
reading, by a sensor, a calibration patch marked on the substrate by the image marking device;
determining a target line width;
calculating an estimated line width based on the reading of the calibration patch by the sensor;
comparing the calculated estimated line width with the determined target line width; and
modifying one or more settings of the image marking device so that the calculated estimated line width becomes closer to the determined target line width, and
implementing a digital correction in the digital control to compensate for impact of the modification of the one or more settings on the tone reproduction curve, wherein
the digital correction maintains the tone reproduction curve independently from the one or more settings, and
the one or more settings include any of exposure intensity and cleaning field intensity.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the calibration patch includes any of a halftone pitch, a predetermined density, a predetermined dot pattern and a predetermined line pattern.
7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the sensor measures reflectance of the calibration patch.

1. An oil pressure sensor fault sensing device for a vehicle, the oil pressure sensor fault sensing device comprising:
an oil pressure sensor configured to detect an oil pressure of an engine oil of an internal combustion engine as a driving source of the vehicle;
an ECU configured to control operation of said internal combustion engine, the ECU configured to perform fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor; and
a time measuring section functioning as a sleep mode even while power to said ECU is off;
wherein said time measuring section is configured to measure a stop time of said internal combustion engine during said sleep mode, and to transmit information on the stop time to said ECU when the power to the ECU is turned on
wherein when said ECU determines that the stop time of said internal combustion engine is at least a predetermined time on a basis of the information from said time measuring section to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor in a state of said internal combustion engine not generating an oil pressure, said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor; and
wherein said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor when it is determined that vehicle speed is absent during the stop time of said internal combustion engine.
2. The oil pressure sensor fault sensing device for the vehicle according to claim 1,
wherein said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor when it is determined that information transmission from said time measuring section is a first transmission after said internal combustion engine.
3. The oil pressure sensor fault sensing device for the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an engine stop switch configured to stop said internal combustion engine, the engine stop switch being disposed separately from a main switch,
wherein said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor at a time of an engine restart immediately after an engine stop is effected by the engine stop switch.
4. An oil pressure sensor fault sensing method for a vehicle, for performing fault sensing for an oil pressure sensor configured to detect an oil pressure of an engine oil of an internal combustion engine as a driving source of the vehicle by an ECU configured to control operation of said internal combustion engine, the oil pressure sensor fault sensing method comprising:
measuring a stop time of said internal combustion engine during a sleep mode and transmitting information on the stop time to said ECU when power to said ECU is turned on, by a time measuring section functioning as said sleep mode even while the power to said ECU is off; and
when said ECU determines that the stop time of said internal combustion engine is at least a predetermined time on a basis of the information from said time measuring section to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor in a state of said internal combustion engine not generating an oil pressure, said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor; and
wherein said ECU is configured to perform the fault sensing for said oil pressure sensor when it is determined that vehicle speed is absent during the stop time of said internal combustion engine.
5. An oil pressure sensor fault sensing device for a vehicle, the oil pressure sensor fault sensing device comprising:
pressure sensor means for detecting oil pressure of an engine oil of an internal combustion engine;
controlling means for controlling operation of the internal combustion engine, the controlling means for performing fault sensing for the pressure sensor means; and
measuring means for measuring time, said measuring means functioning as a sleep mode while the controlling means is off,
wherein the measuring means is also for measuring a stop time of the internal combustion engine during the sleep mode, and for transmitting information on the stop time to the controlling means when power to the controlling means is on, and wherein the controlling means is also for determining that the stop time of the internal combustion engine is at least a predetermined time on a basis of the information from the measuring means to perform fault sensing for the pressure sensor means in a state of the internal combustion engine not generating an oil pressure, whereby said controlling means performs fault sensing for the pressure sensor means; and
wherein the controlling means performs the fault sensing for the pressure sensor means when it is determined that vehicle speed is absent during the stop time of the internal combustion engine.
6. The oil pressure fault sensing device of claim 5, wherein the controlling means performs the fault sensing for the pressure sensor means when it is determined that information transmission from the measuring means is a first transmission after the internal combustion engine is started.
7. The oil pressure fault sensing device according to claim 5, further comprising stop means for stopping the internal combustion engine, the stop means being disposed separately from a main switch,
wherein the controlling means stops the fault sensing for the pressure sensor means at a time of an engine restart immediately after an engine stop is effected by the stop means.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for passing at least one needle through tissue, the device comprising:
a handle;
a shaft assembly including a shaft movably coupled to the handle, at least one needle removably supported by the shaft and movable between radially extended and non-extended positions, and a protective cover overlying at least a portion of the shaft and needle when the needle is in said radially non-extended position, the cover being movable with respect to the shaft to allow the needle to move to said radially extended position; and
an actuator assembly operable using one hand for moving the cover to allow the needle to assume said radially extended position and moving the shaft to pass the needle through the tissue.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a ram slidably disposed over the shaft for moving the needle into said radially extended position, and the protective cover is slidably disposed over the ram.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the actuator assembly comprises a linkage coupled to a movable component, and movement of the movable component drives the linkage and moves the protective cover to allow the needle to assume said radially extended position, moves the ram to force the needle into said radially extended position, and moves the shaft to pass the needle through the tissue.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the shaft comprises a solid rod, the ram comprises a first sleeve coaxially disposed over the solid rod, and the protective cover comprises a second sleeve coaxially disposed over the first sleeve.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft has proximal and distal ends, and the needle is supported at the distal end of the shaft.
6. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one length of suture having two ends, one end being secured to the needle and the other end being removably supported by the shaft assembly.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein a first plurality of needles are removably supported adjacent the distal end of the shaft, and wherein one end of each of a plurality of lengths of sutures is secured to one of the needles, while the other end of each length of suture is removably supported by the shaft assembly.
8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a suture supporting member disposed on the shaft assembly, wherein the other end of each length of suture is removably supported by the suture supporting member.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the suture supporting member comprises an inner sleeve having channels each of which receives a length of suture, and an outer tube disposed around the inner sleeve to enclose each length of suture in one of said channels
10. The device of claim 8, wherein the suture supporting member is fixed to the handle assembly and has a distal end provided with a foot for contacting the tissue.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the foot has a plurality of slots receiving the lengths of suture and the needles after the needles have passed through the tissue.
12. The device of claim 7, further comprising a second plurality of needles each of which is secured to the other end of one of the lengths of suture, wherein each of the second plurality of needles is removably supported by the shaft assembly.
13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a needle guard disposed around the needle when the needle is in said radially extended and non-extended positions.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the needle guard comprises a cage disposed around the needle and movable between expanded and collapsed orientations.
15. The device of claim 14, wherein the cage comprises a plurality of flexible struts having one end secured to the shaft and another end secured to a ram sidably disposed over the shaft, wherein sliding the ram with respect to the shaft moves the needle into said radially extended position and moves the cage into said expanded orientation.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly is generally pistol shaped and the actuator assembly comprises a trigger slidably mounted on the handle assembly.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the trigger is movable in one direction to move the cover and the shaft, and the actuator assembly is provided with a mechanism preventing movement of the trigger in a different direction.
18. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly is substantially straight over the length thereof.
19. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a proximal portion adjacent the handle assembly and a distal portion, and the distal portion is angled with respect to the proximal portion.
20. A device for passing at least one needle and at least one length of suture through tissue in a patient’s body, the device comprising:
a handle;
a shaft assembly supporting at least one needle and at least one length of suture, the needle being movable between radially extended and non-extended positions, wherein one end of the length of suture is secured to the needles and the other end of the length of suture is located away from the needle;
a ram movable from a first position to a second position in order to force the needle to said radially extended position;
an actuator assembly operable using one hand to move the ram to said second position to force the needle into said radially extended position and to pass the needle through tissue.
21. A device for passing a plurality of needles and a plurality of separate lengths of suture through tissue in a patient’s body, the device comprising:
a handle;
a shaft assembly supporting a plurality of needles and a plurality of separate lengths of sutures, the shaft assembly having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent tissue of a patient’s body through which the needles are to be passed, wherein the needles are located adjacent the distal portion of the shaft assembly and are movable between an extended position and a non-extended position, and one end of each length of suture is secured to one of the needles and the other end of each length of suture is located away from the needles; and
an actuator assembly operable to pass the needles through tissue.
22. The device of claim 21, wherein the shaft assembly includes a shaft to which the needles are mounted so as to be movable in a radial direction between said extended and non-extended positions, and the actuator is operable to move the shaft and pass the needles through tissue.
23. The device of claim 22, wherein the shaft assembly comprises a ram slidably disposed over the shaft for moving the needles into said radially extended position, and a protective cover slidably disposed over the ram
24. The device of claim 23, wherein actuation of the actuator assembly moves the protective cover in a first direction, moves the ram in a second direction to force the needles into said radially extended position, and moves the shaft in said first direction to pass the needles through the tissue.
25. The device of claim 24, wherein the ram comprises a solid rod with individual portions each corresponding to one of the needles, and the actuator assembly moves the individual portions of the ram in unison to force the needles into said radially extended position at the same time.
26. A method for passing needles through tissue adjacent an opening in the tissue, the method comprising steps of:
providing at least first and second needles each of which is configured to pass through tissue, the first needle having a first length of suture secured thereto and the second needle having a second length of suture secured thereto, the first and second lengths of suture being unconnected;
positioning the first and second needles through an opening in the tissue with a portion of each of the first and second lengths of suture extending through the opening in the tissue; and
passing the first and second needles through the tissue adjacent the opening so that the first and second lengths of suture each have a portion that extends through the opening and a portion that extends through the tissue.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the tissue is inside the patient’s body, and both ends of each length of suture are disposed outside the patient’s body after passing the needles through the tissue and out the patient’s body.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the needles are passed through the tissue on opposite sides of the opening therein.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein more than two needles are passed through the tissue at locations spaced circumferentially around the opening therein
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the opening is in a patient’s aorta, and the needles are passed through the wall of the aorta so that the first and second lengths of suture each have a portion that extends through the opening in the aorta and a portion that extends through the wall of the aorta.
31. A method for placing a plurality of separate lengths of suture through tissue in a patient’s body adjacent an opening in the tissue, the method comprising steps of:
providing at least first and second needles configured to pass through tissue, the first needle having a first length of suture secured thereto and the second needle having a second length of suture secured thereto, each of the first and second lengths of suture having an end disposed away from the needles to which the length of suture is secured;
positioning the first and second needles inside a patient’s body adjacent an opening in tissue within the patient’s body such that the ends of the first and second lengths of suture are located outside an outer surface of the tissue;
passing the first and second needles into the tissue adjacent the opening while maintaining the ends of the first and second lengths of suture outside the outer surface of the tissue; and
passing the first and second needles through and out of the tissue to pull the first and second lengths of suture through the tissue while maintaining the ends of the first and second lengths of suture outside the outer surface of the tissue.
32. A device for delivering a member adapted to be secured to a patients’ body tissue, the device comprising:
a first component;
a second component mounted to the first component, the first and second components being relatively movable;
the first component being configured to removably support a member adapted to be secured to a patient’s body tissue;
the second component being configured to hold at least one needle carrying suture for securing the member to the body tissue;
wherein the first component is relatively movable with respect to the second component to move the member along the suture into contact with the body tissue.
33. The device of claim 33, further comprising a sealing element configured to be carried by the first component.
34. The device of claim 33, further comprising a vascular conduit supported by the first component, the conduit having an end overlying the sealing element.
35. A device for delivering a vascular conduit to body tissue located at an anastomosis site within a patient’s body, the device comprising:
a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a portion of the shaft being configured to support a vascular conduit adapted to be anastomosed to body tissue;
a collar disposed on the shaft, the shaft and collar being relatively movable, the collar having an area configured to hold at least one needle adapted to be passed through a vascular conduit supported by the shaft.
36. The device of claim 35, wherein the shaft comprises a tube with a hollow interior configured to receive the vascular conduit.
37. The device of claim 36, wherein the tube has a cut-out section for positioning the vascular conduit within the hollow interior of the tube.
38. The device of claim 35, further comprising a sealing element configured to engage an end of the vascular conduit.
39. The device of claim 38, wherein the sealing element comprises a ring having a closed periphery.
40. The device of claim 38, wherein the sealing element has a surface provided with at least one member for engaging an end of a vascular conduit to hold the conduit on the sealing element.
41. The device of claim 40, wherein the sealing element has a plurality of barbs for engaging an end of a vascular conduit.
42. The device of claim 35, wherein the distal end of the shaft has at least one radially extending flange for supporting an end of a vascular conduit.
43. The device of claim 42, wherein the distal end of the shaft has a pair of radially extending flanges for supporting an end of a vascular conduit.
44. The device of claim 35, wherein the collar has a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore in which the shaft is slidably mounted.
45. The device of claim 44, wherein the bore of the collar is frictionally engaged with the shaft.
46. The device of claim 44, wherein the shaft has a guide element along at least a portion of the exterior thereof, and the collar has a slot slidably engaged with the guide.
47. The device of claim 44, wherein the area on the collar configured to hold at least one needle comprises a sleeve surrounding at least part of the shaft, and the sleeve is formed so as to grip a needle placed therein.
48. The device of claim 47, wherein the sleeve is formed of a resilient material.
49. A device for delivering a vascular conduit to body tissue located at an anastomosis site within a patient’s body, the device comprising:
an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
the distal end of the shaft having a portion configured to removably support a vascular conduit adapted to be secured to body tissue located at an anastomosis site with a patient’s body;
wherein said portion of the distal end of the shaft is configured to deliver the conduit to the anastomosis site and thereafter release the conduit.
50. A method for delivering a member adapted to be secured to body tissue to a location adjacent the body tissue, the method comprising steps of:
placing suture through body tissue so that the suture extends away from the body tissue, the suture having an end which carries a needle;
providing a delivery device comprising first and second components mounted so as to be relatively movable;
positioning a member adapted to be secured to the body tissue on the first component;
placing the needle carried by the end of the suture into the second component; and
imparting relative movement to the first and second components to move the first component and the member along the suture to a location adjacent the body tissue.
51. The method of claim 50, wherein the member is adapted to be secured to the body tissue adjacent an opening in the body tissue, and the suture passes through the body tissue adjacent the opening.
52. The method of claim 50, wherein separate lengths of suture are placed through the body tissue and extend through the opening and through the tissue, each length of suture having an end which carries a needle
53. The method of claim 52, wherein the member is adapted to be secured over the opening in the body tissue, and the lengths of suture extend through the opening and pass through the tissue at locations spaced around the opening.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the member is a vascular conduit, and the opening in the body tissue is formed in a patient’s aorta, and the vascular conduit is moved along the suture into contact with the aorta and then anastomosed thereto.
55. The method of claim 54, further comprising positioning a sealing member between the first component and the vascular conduit, and then securing the vascular conduit to the body tissue with the sealing member therebetween.
56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the step of measuring the size of the vascular conduit and selecting a particular size sealing member.
57. The method of claim 50, wherein the opening in the tissue is formed by a surgical cutting instrument comprising a plurality of cutting surfaces configured to cut an opening in tissue having a plurality of flaps.
58. The method of claim 56, wherein the cutting instrument comprises four cutting surfaces and the opening has four flaps
59. An anastomosis system for securing a vascular conduit to a hollow body structure, the system comprising:
a needle passer comprising a shaft assembly supporting at least one length of suture secured to first and second needles, and an actuator for moving at least one of the needles through tissue of a hollow body structure to thread the length of suture through the tissue to permit an end of a vascular conduit to be attached to the tissue in fluid communication with the hollow body structure; and
a sealing element configured to be positioned against the end of the vascular conduit, the sealing element being formed of a material that is able to receive one of the first and second needles.
60. The system of claim 59, wherein the sealing element is ring-shaped and is formed of a resilient material.
61. A device for use in anastomosing a vascular conduit to a hollow body structure, the device comprising:
a sealing element having an opening configured to be aligned with a vascular conduit adapted to be anastomosed to a hollow body structure, the sealing element being formed of a biocompatible material which permits at least one needle to be inserted and passed through the sealing element in order to pass suture used to anastomose the vascular conduit to the hollow body structure through the sealing element.
62. The device of claim 61, wherein the opening in the sealing element is configured to surround an exterior surface of the vascular conduit.
63. The device of claim 61, wherein the sealing element is ring-shaped and is formed of a resilient material.
64. A method for anastomosing a vascular conduit to a hollow body structure so that the vascular conduit is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body structure, the method comprising steps of:
forming an opening in tissue of a hollow body structure so that the opening passes into an interior of the body structure;
positioning an end of a vascular conduit against the tissue; and
attaching the vascular conduit to the tissue so that the vascular conduit is in fluid communication with the interior of the hollow body structure, wherein a sealing element is used to enhance the attachment between the end of the vascular conduit and the tissue.
65. The method of claim 64, wherein the end of the vascular conduit is positioned against the tissue, and the sealing element is positioned against the end of the vascular conduit to force the end of the vascular conduit against the tissue.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the sealing element is a ring and the ring is positioned around the vascular conduit and forces the end of the vascular conduit against the tissue.
67. A method of carrying out a surgical procedure on a hollow body structure through which fluid is flowing, the method comprising steps of:
forming an opening passing through the hollow body structure, the opening extending from an exterior surface of the hollow body structure to an interior surface of the hollow body structure;
providing a tissue contacting member movable between collapsed and expanded orientations, the tissue contacting member being attached to an elongate support member;
positioning the tissue contacting member in said collapsed orientation through the opening and adjacent the interior surface of the hollow body structure;
moving the tissue contacting member into said expanded orientation and into contact with the interior surface of the hollow body structure; and
inserting an instrument through the opening and into the hollow body structure to carry out a surgical procedure on the hollow body structure, the tissue contacting member substantially preventing fluid flowing through the hollow body structure from escaping through the opening.
68. The method of claim 67, wherein the hollow body structure is a patient’s aorta, and the surgical procedure is carried out to anastomose a vascular conduit to the aorta.