METHOD FOR FIXING PROSTHETIC IMPLANTS IN A LIVING BODY

• US 3,657,744 A
• Filed: 05/08/1970
• Issued: 04/25/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert A. Ersek
• Original Assignee: Robert A. Ersek
• Inventors: Ersek, Robert A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaudet, Richard A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US05/035,815
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 128/334R,334C,341,343,348 3/1,DIG.1,DIG.3
• US Class Current: 128/898
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2412 with soft flexible valve members, e.g. tissue valves shaped like natural valves check valves with flexible valve members in general F16K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/856 Single tubular stent with a side portal passage
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/954 for placing stents or stent-grafts in a bifurcation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/061 provided with means for allowing access to secondary lumens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/902 Method of implanting

Abstract

A device and method for facilitating the rapid positive fixation of implanted prosthetic members in a living body. The device comprises a tubular sleeve of deformable material to which the prosthetic member is secured and which is capable of being expanded radially into intimate engagement with surrounding tissue. The fixation device and prosthetic member, such as heart valve, vessel graft, etc., are prepared by assembly prior to surgery. The assembly may be rapidly introduced into the transplant situs during surgery and secured in place by expansion of the deformable sleeve by use of an expansion tool.

Claims

1. A method for rapidly and positively fixing an inplanted prosthetic device in a living body which comprises:

A. securing the prosthetic device to be implanted to at least one openwork tubular sleeve of non-toxic deformable material compatible with body fluids and capable of being expanded radially, said sleeve being of a diameter corresponding to the prosthetic member to be implanted and adapted for attachment to the prosthetic member, and including a plurality of longitudinally extending ribbon-like undulating portions disposed angularly with respect to the perimeter of said sleeve and interconnected to define a plurality of staggered closely spaced apertures, B. introducing the sleeve and prosthetic device into a prepared transplant situs, and C. expanding the sleeve radially outwardly against the tissue walls of said situs and forcing the undulating ribbon-like portions of the sleeve into intimate engagement therewith, whereby the tissue may grow through and around the sleeve to cover the same.

2. A method according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said prosthetic device to be implanted is a vessel graft, B. said openwork sleeve is inserted partially and secured in each end of said vessel graft leaving an exposed portion of sleeve extending therefrom, C. said graft is provided with a longitudinal opening to receive a sleeve expanding tool;

D. said prosthetic device and sleeves are joined to the host vessels to be grafted by introduction of the exposed portions of said sleeves into the severed host vessels, and E. the sleeves are expanded radially outwardly into intimate engagement with the walls of said vessels and said graft.

3. A method according to claim 1 further characterized in that:

A. said prosthetic device to be implanted is a heart valve, B. said valve is secured within one end of said sleeve, C. said sleeve and valve are introduced into the situs of the defective valve to be replaced, and D. said sleeve is expanded into engagement with the surrounding tissue.