Deformable conduits and methods for shunting bodily fluid during surgery
US6168623A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2944
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention comprises a tubular shunt for insertion into a fluid vessel in a living creature constructed of an elastically deformable material that reduces in circumference when stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt may be easily inserted into openings in a blood vessel and where the material expands circumferentially when allowed to axially contract such that the ends of shunt press against the vessel wall to secure the shunt and form a water tight seal to permit fluid to flow through the tubular conduit of the shunt. A method for shunting fluid-flow in a portion of a vessel in a living creature is also disclosed wherein a shunt of the present invention is stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt contract and then inserted into a lumen of a blood vessel. Following insertion of the shunt, the shunt is allowed to return to its relaxed geometry so that it forms a fluid tight seal with the interior of the lumen.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.