METHOD AND IMPLANTATION SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTING A CARDIOVASCULAR PROSTHESIS
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a cardiac prosthesis, comprising:
- placing a cardiac prosthesis into an elongated barrel of an implanter, the barrel comprising an open discharge end;
attaching an introducer apparatus onto the open discharge end of the barrel, the introducer apparatus comprising a sidewall portion that extends from a first end portion and terminates in a distal end portion that gradually tapers to cross-sectional dimension that is less than cross-sectional dimension at the first end portion, the introducer apparatus being configured to permit movement of the barrel, including the discharge end, axially through and beyond the distal end portion of the introducer apparatus;
creating an opening in tissue that provides a path from the opening to an implantation site;
inserting the introducer apparatus into the opening;
moving the barrel axially through the introducer apparatus to position the discharge end of the barrel near the implantation site; and
discharging the prosthesis from the barrel at the implantation site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of implanting a cardiac prosthesis is disclosed. The method can include placing a cardiac prosthesis into an elongated barrel of an implanter, the barrel comprising an open discharge end. An introducer apparatus is attached onto the open discharge end of the barrel, the introducer apparatus comprising a sidewall portion that extends from a first end portion and terminates in a distal end portion that gradually tapers to cross-sectional dimension that is less than cross-sectional dimension at the first end portion. The introducer apparatus can be configured to permit movement of the barrel, including the discharge end, axially through and beyond the distal end portion of the introducer apparatus. An opening can be created in tissue that provides a path from the opening to an implantation site. The introducer apparatus is inserted into the opening and the barrel axially can be moved through the introducer apparatus to position the discharge end of the barrel near the implantation site. The prosthesis can then be discharged from the barrel at the implantation site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a cardiac prosthesis, comprising:
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placing a cardiac prosthesis into an elongated barrel of an implanter, the barrel comprising an open discharge end; attaching an introducer apparatus onto the open discharge end of the barrel, the introducer apparatus comprising a sidewall portion that extends from a first end portion and terminates in a distal end portion that gradually tapers to cross-sectional dimension that is less than cross-sectional dimension at the first end portion, the introducer apparatus being configured to permit movement of the barrel, including the discharge end, axially through and beyond the distal end portion of the introducer apparatus; creating an opening in tissue that provides a path from the opening to an implantation site; inserting the introducer apparatus into the opening; moving the barrel axially through the introducer apparatus to position the discharge end of the barrel near the implantation site; and discharging the prosthesis from the barrel at the implantation site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An implantation system comprising:
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an elongated barrel extending longitudinally from a proximal portion to terminate in an open discharge end, a body lumen extending through the barrel to provide for fluid communication through the barrel; a plunger configured for discharging a prosthesis from the discharge end of the barrel; and an introducer apparatus that is attachable over the discharge end of the barrel, the introducer apparatus including a sleeve portion that extends from a first end and a distal portion that tapers gradually from the sleeve portion and terminates in a distal end thereof, the introducer apparatus being configured to permit movement of the barrel, including the discharge end, axially through and beyond the distal end of the introducer apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification