Minimally invasive revascularization apparatus and methods

US6475222B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• St. Jude Medical ATG, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Todd A. Berg · Plymouth, US
• Daniel J. Sullivan · Pembroke, US
• Matthew Baker · Marietta, US
• Paul Hindrichs · Plymouth, US
• Gregory Boldenow · Crystal, US
• Jason A. Galdonik · Hanover, US
• Mark D. Wahlberg · Windom, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 6, 1998
• Grant date: Nov 5, 2002
• Expiry date: Nov 6, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61M2025/1079
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A bypass graft conduit is installed in the circulatory system of a patient using apparatus which facilitates performing most or all of the necessary work intraluminally (i.e., via lumens of the patient's circulatory system). A guide structure such as a wire is installed in the patient via circulatory system lumens so that a portion of the guide structure extends along the desired path of the bypass conduit, which bypass conduit path is outside the circulatory system as it exists prior to installation of the bypass graft. The bypass graft is then introduced into the patient along the guide structure and connected at each of its ends to the circulatory system using connectors that form fluid-tight annular openings from the bypass graft lumen into the adjacent circulatory system lumens. The guide structure is then pulled out of the patient.