METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BYPASS GRAFT

• US 20090076531A1
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles L. Richardson, Donald G. Faulkner, Franz W. Kellar
• Original Assignee: Charles L. Richardson, Donald G. Faulkner, Franz W. Kellar
• Inventors: Richardson, Charles L., Kellar, Franz W., Faulkner, Donald G.
• Application Number:
  US11/857,317
• Publication Number:
  US 20090076531A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/153
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1132 End-to-end connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections Y-shaped blood vessel prostheses A61F2002/065
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/064 with special features to facilitate anastomotic coupling anastomosis of natural blood vessels A61B17/11

Abstract

A vascular connector includes a main tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough and opposed ends adapted to be connected to a vascular structure; and at least one inlet tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough, a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end adapted to be connected to a vascular structure.

Claims

1. A vascular connector, comprising:

a main tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough and opposed ends adapted to be connected to a vascular structure; and

at least one inlet tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough, a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end adapted to be connected to a vascular structure, wherein the geometry of the intersection between the at least one inlet tube and the main tube is configured to enhance mixing of fluid flowing from the inlet tube with fluid flowing in the main tube.

2. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein the main tube includes a throat of reduced cross-sectional area downstream of the proximal end of the inlet tube.

3. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein an axis of the inlet tube is disposed at an acute angle to an axis of the main tube.

4. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein the inlet tube is formed in a helical shape which surrounds the main tube.

5. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein at least one of the main tube and inlet tube comprises first and second sections connected in a friction-fit telescoping relationship so as to be movable between collapsed and extended positions.

6. The vascular connector of claim 5 wherein:

the second section is received inside the first section;

the first section has a substantially constant inner diameter; and

the second section has a tapered outer diameter, such that the second section defines an annular sealing line contact with the first section.

7. The vascular connector of claim 6 wherein the first section includes an inwardly-extending retaining flange adapted to prevent withdrawal of the section second section therefrom.

8. The vascular connector of claim 5 wherein the first and second sections are free to rotate relative to each other.

9. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein at least one end of the inlet tube or the main tube includes a protruding outer rim for engaging a vascular structure.

10. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein at least one end of the inlet tube or the main tube includes a strain relief zone carrying a material adapted to promote cell growth therein.

11. The vascular connector of claim 10 wherein the strain relief zone carries collagen-hydroxyl-apatite tape thereon.

12. The vascular connector of claim 10 wherein the strain relief zone carries a fibrous scaffolding thereon.

13. The vascular connector of claim 1 wherein at least one end of the inlet tube or the main tube includes an open wire structure extending therefrom.

14. The vascular connector of claim 1 including at least one signal transducer attached thereto.

15. A method of manufacturing a vascular connector which includes a main tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough and opposed ends adapted to be connected to a vascular structure, and at least one inlet tube having a channel for fluid flow therethrough, a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end adapted to be connected to a vascular structure, the method comprising:

providing a generally planar blank;

forming the blank into a shape comprising mirror-image half-sections of the main tube and inlet tube;

folding the blank along a centerline thereof to bring the half-sections together; and

bonding the free edges of the folded blank together.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising applying a biocompatible coating to the blank before the step of forming.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the free edges are bonded using electron-beam welding.

18. A coronary artery bypass graft, comprising:

a substantially rigid connector having;

a main tube with first and second ends; and

an inlet tube having a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end adapted to be connected to a vascular structure;

A synthetic vessel having a proximal end adapted to be connected to a first vascular structure, and at least one distal end connected to an the distal end of the inlet tube.

19. The coronary artery bypass graft of claim 18 wherein the synthetic vessel includes a trunk at the proximal end and at least two branches each having a distal end connected to an inlet tube of a substantially rigid connector.

20. A connection for a vascular structure, comprising:

a generally tubular fitting having a first end adapted to be secured to a vascular structure and a second end having a mechanical fitting;

a synthetic vessel adapted to be connected to the mechanical fitting.

21. The connection of claim 20 further comprising a strain relief ring adapted to be fitted over the synthetic vessel.

22. A method of monitoring a vascular graft structure, comprising:

providing a substantially rigid connector having;

a main tube with first and second ends; and

at least one inlet tube having a proximal end intersecting the main tube, and a distal end;

connecting the first and second ends of the main tube to a first vascular structure;

connecting the distal end of the at least one inlet tube to a distal end of a graft vessel;

connecting a proximate end of the graft vessel to a second vascular structure;

providing at least one transducer operable to sense a parameter related to flow to one of the graft vessel or the connector; and

monitoring a parameter related to flow through the vascular graft structure to determine whether the vascular graft structure is performing properly.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the monitored parameter is a flow rate.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein the transducer is an acoustic transducer.

25. The method of claim 24 further including:

establishing a baseline acoustic signature; and

comparing a monitored acoustic signature to the baseline acoustic signature.

26. A cutting device for a vascular structure, comprising:

an open-ended chamber which supports a shaft for rotation and axial translation therein;

a blade having a circular cutting edge carried at a lower end of the shaft; and

a port passing through a wall of the chamber for connection of a suction source.