Method and apparatus for creating an opening in the wall of a tubular vessel

US8012164B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Cardica, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Brendan M. Donohoe · Fairfax, US
• Theodore M. Bender · San Anselmo, US
• Brian R. DuBois · Redwood City, US
• Scott O. Chamness · Menlo Park, US
• Stephen A. Yencho · Menlo Park, US
• Jaime Vargas · Palo Alto, US
• Nathan H. White · Palo Alto, US
• Gregory B. Arcenio · Redwood City, US
• Heather Klaubert · Menlo Park, US
• Russell C. Mead, Jr. · Mountain View, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 22, 2002
• Grant date: Sep 6, 2011
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/928
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An auger is axially fixed to and positioned within a cutter. The auger and cutter advance at the same time relative to a contact structure placed against a vessel, penetrating the wall of the vessel and cutting a tissue plug. When the auger and the cutter are retracted from the vessel wall, the tissue plug is retained by the auger and cutter and removed from the vessel wall. The auger and the cutter thus create an opening in the vessel wall, without the need for a prior incision in that wall.