Coronary artery by-pass method
OwnerPeter J. Wilk, Jonathan Tiefenbruninventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for performing a coronary artery bypass comprises utilizes a thoracoscope and a tubular bypass member. The method includes the step of disposing the thoracoscope in the pericardium of a patient so that the distal end of the thoracoscope projects unto the intrapericardial space of the patient. The bypass member is inserted into the intrapericardial space, and, under direct observation via the thoracoscope, the bypass member is attached to the aorta and a coronary artery of the patient so that blood flows from the aorta through the bypass member and into the coronary artery.
Claims21
A method for performing a coronary artery bypass, comprising:
- providing a thoracoscope and a tubular bypass member;
- disposing said thoracoscope in a pericardium of a patient so that a distal end of said thoracoscope projects into an intrapericardial space of the patient;
- inserting said bypass member into said intrapericardial space;
- under direct observation via said thoracoscope, attaching said bypass member to an aorta and a coronary artery of the patient;
- and
- after at least partially attaching said bypass member to the aorta and the coronary artery, forming apertures in the aorta and the coronary artery in regions of attachment of said bypass member to the aorta and the coronary artery to enable blood flow from the aorta through said bypass member and into the coronary artery.
A method for performing a coronary artery bypass, comprising:
- providing a tubular bypass member and a cannula;
- disposing said cannula in a pericardium of a patient so that a distal end of said cannula projects into an intrapericardial space of the patient;
- inserting said bypass member through said cannula into said intrapericardial space;
- and
- attaching said bypass member to an aorta and a coronary artery of the patient;
- and
- after at least partially attaching said bypass member to the aorta and the coronary artery, forming apertures in the aorta and the coronary artery in regions of attachment of said bypass member to the aorta and the coronary artery to enable blood flow from the aorta through said bypass member and into the coronary artery.
A method for performing a coronary artery bypass, comprising:
- providing a thoracoscope and a tubular bypass member;
- disposing said thoracoscope in a pericardium of a patient so that a distal end of said thoracoscope projects into an intrapericardial space of the patient;
- passing a guide wire along an aorta of the patient and through a wall of the aorta into said intrapericardial space;
- passing said bypass member over said guide wire into said intrapericardial space;
- and
- under direct observation via said thoracoscope, attaching said bypass member to the aorta and a coronary artery of the patient so that blood flows from the aorta through said bypass member and into the coronary artery.
A method for performing a coronary artery bypass, comprising:
- providing a thoracoscope and a tubular bypass member, exactly one flange or ring being located at and fixed to one end of said bypass member;
- disposing said thoracoscope in a pericardium of a patient so that a distal end of said thoracoscope projects into an intrapericardial space of the patient;
- inserting said bypass member into said intrapericardial space;
- and
- under direct observation via said thoracoscope, attaching said bypass member to an aorta and a coronary artery of the patient so that blood flows from the aorta through said bypass member and into the coronary artery, the attaching of said bypass member including (a) placing said flange or ring along one side of one of said aorta and said coronary artery and (b) connecting said flange or ring to said one side so that an opposite side of said one of said aorta and said coronary artery is substantially free of any flange or ring of said bypass member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.