Method for reducing hypertension of a liver

• US 4,501,263 A
• Filed: 03/31/1982
• Issued: 02/26/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley C. Harbuck
• Original Assignee: Stanley C. Harbuck
• Inventors: Harbuck, Stanley C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Frinks, Ronald L.
• Application Number:
  US06/364,139
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 3/1.4, 3/1, 3/1 A, 128/1 R, 604/8-10, 604/43, 604/284
• US Class Current: 128/898
• 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 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• 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 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/903 Blood vessel

Abstract

In an organism having a vascular system, a device and method for diverting blood flow from one blood vessel to another, such as from the hepatic artery to the portal vein for reducing hypertension of the liver. The method includes the implantation of a device according to the invention by which blood is diverted. A conduit is inserted within one vessel, normally a vein, and blood diverted to the conduit from another vessel such as an artery, wherein the blood is mixed.

Claims

1. A method for reducing hypertension of a liver having a hepatic artery, comprising:

ligating the hepatic artery into the liver;

diverting the blood from the hepatic artery proximal of the liver by means of an arterial conduit formed of polymer fabric to a portal vein conduit formed of a polymer fabric;

joining flow through the arterial conduit to flow through the portal vein conduit at a junction formed of polymer fabric;

discharging said joined arterial blood flow and portal vein blood flow proximal of the liver, said portal vein conduit being inserted in said portal vein proximal of the liver, thereby to reduce blood pressure in the liver.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

mixing in a controlled ratio arterial blood diverted from said hepatic artery with venous blood from said portal vein at an arterial conduit blood discharge nozzle disposed within said portal vein conduit.