Medical grafting connectors and fasteners
US6036702A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/1052
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A body tissue graft for use in a patient includes a frame structure made of a first elastic material, a covering of a second elastic material on the frame structure, the covering substantially filling openings in the frame structure, and a connector connected to the frame structure. Projections are secured to the connector structure. The projections facilitate attachment of the tubular graft in a patient by securing the graft to the body tissue with which the graft is employed. The connector selectively circumferentially expands and the projections selectively circumferentially expand. This may be done using an inflatable balloon to circumferentially expand the projections. A restraining member may be provided to restrain the projections in a cone shape so that an end of the graft may be used to open an aperture through a side wall of existing body organ tubing and a portion of the projections may enter the aperture.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.