초록 ▼

An introducer and method for delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient. The introducer includes a delivery tube having a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient and a lumen that receives the prosthetic fabric. A loader may be provided to reconfigure the prosthetic fabric from a first

An introducer and method for delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient. The introducer includes a delivery tube having a distal end adapted to be inserted into the patient and a lumen that receives the prosthetic fabric. A loader may be provided to reconfigure the prosthetic fabric from a first configuration to a collapsed configuration and/or to insert the collapsed fabric into the lumen of the delivery tube. A plunger may be provided to push the prosthetic fabric through the delivery tube and into the patient. The loader and plunger may be combined in a dual-purpose component that is reversible to either load the fabric into the delivery tube or push the fabric through the delivery tube.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient, the method comprising acts of: (a) collapsing the prosthetic fabric from a first configuration to a collapsed configuration using a first portion of a dual-purpose component;(b) loading the prosthetic fabric in the collapsed configuration

1. A method of delivering a prosthetic fabric into a patient, the method comprising acts of: (a) collapsing the prosthetic fabric from a first configuration to a collapsed configuration using a first portion of a dual-purpose component;(b) loading the prosthetic fabric in the collapsed configuration into a delivery tube through a proximal end thereof using the first portion of the dual-purpose component in a first orientation;(c) following act (b), removing the dual-purpose component from the proximal end of the delivery tube, reversing the dual-purpose component from the first orientation to a second orientation and inserting the dual-purpose component into the delivery tube in the second orientation through the proximal end thereof; and(d) expelling the prosthetic fabric in the collapsed configuration from a distal end of the delivery tube using a second portion of the dual-purpose component in the second orientation. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein act (a) includes rolling the prosthetic fabric about the first portion of the dual-purpose component in the first orientation. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein act (b) includes loading the prosthetic fabric through an aperture at the proximal end of the delivery tube. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein act (d) includes limiting travel of the dual-purpose component through the delivery tube in the second configuration. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein act (c) includes maintaining the prosthetic fabric in the delivery tube. 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising an act of: (e) prior to act (d), inserting the delivery tube into the patient to a predetermined depth. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein act (e) includes adjusting the predetermined depth.