초록 ▼

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 circulator

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Instrumentation for facilitating penetration of a side wall of a tubular body tissue conduit from the interior lumen of the conduit comprising:a tubular structure which is axially insertable into and along the lumen of the conduit and which has an axial portion configured to deflect toward a firs

1. Instrumentation for facilitating penetration of a side wall of a tubular body tissue conduit from the interior lumen of the conduit comprising:a tubular structure which is axially insertable into and along the lumen of the conduit and which has an axial portion configured to deflect toward a first portion of the interior surface of the side wall from a second portion of the interior surface of the side wall which is axially spaced from the first portion and on the side of the side wall which is substantially opposite the first portion, the tubular structure having an axially extending interior passageway with an opening to the exterior of the tubular structure adjacent the first portion; and a laterally flexible, longitudinal, tissue piercing structure configured to pierce a side wall of the tubular body tissue conduit and to project from the side wall through any adjacent tissue outside of the tubular body tissue conduit, wherein said tissue piercing structure is axially insertable into and along the passageway and which is axially reciprocable relative to the tubular structure so that it exits the opening toward the first portion when moved toward the opening; wherein the axial portion is an axially medial portion of the tubular structure which is configured to arch toward the first portion from the second portion and from a third portion of the interior surface of the side wall which is on the same side of the side wall as the second portion, the second and third portions being axially spaced from the first portion in respective opposite axial directions from the first portion.