Self-sealing implantable vascular graft

Abstract

An implantable self-sealing vascular graft device comprises an implantable tubular body defining a primary lumen and at least one secondary lumen, the lumina sharing a common side wall. The primary lumen is adapted for attachment to the vascular system of the patient to accommodate blood flow therethrough. A non-biodegradable elastomeric material disposed in the secondary lumen permits repeated self-sealing penetrations of a cannula through the elastomeric material and into the primary lumen. A method for repeatedly accessing a patient's vascular system by implanting in the patient the disclosed structure and accessing a patient's vascular system by passing a cannula through the secondary lumen, the common side wall, and into the primary lumen is also disclosed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.