Methods and devices for blood vessel harvesting
US5968066A · kind A · utility
42Cited by
35References
41Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1081
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and devices for harvesting blood vessels from the body using minimally invasive surgical techniques are disclosed. The vessel is dissected from surrounding tissue using the tip of a dissection cannula. The dissected tissue may be retracted, for example, by insufflation. The dissection cannula may further include a balloon that can be inflated after insertion between the vessel and the surrounding tissue. An imaging device may be disposed within the cannula to permit viewing through the distal tip. In another aspect, the balloon is an everting balloon that upon inflation everts and advances along the vessel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.