Methods for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms
First Claim
1. A method of implanting an abdominal aortic graft into the body of a patient, said patient having an abdominal aorta which has an interior and an exterior, said abdominal aorta being joined at a proximal end by at least one renal artery and said abdominal aorta being joined at a distal end to a first and a second iliac artery, said first and said second iliac arteries having interiors and exteriors and being in fluid communication with said abdominal aorta said first and said second iliac arteries joining said abdominal aorta so as to form a divide and said divide being disposed distal to the junction of said abdominal aorta and said renal artery which is disposed above said divide, comprising the steps of:
- providing access through first and second access points to open said interior of said first and second iliac arteries of said patient;
providing access through a third access point to said interior of said abdominal aorta above said iliac divide and above said junction between said aorta and said renal artery of said patient;
introducing a bifurcated graft having an abdominal end, a first iliac end, and a second iliac end into said abdominal aorta and said iliac arteries through one of said access points;
positioning said bifurcated graft by manipulating said graft through at least said third access point and at least one of said first or said second access points;
and fixing said bifurcated graft in place.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods for treating conditions such as abdominal aortic aneurysms and the like which involve the direct placement of a bifurcated graft in the afflicted area. The surgical procedures can be performed proximally, from above the junction of the abdominal aorta and the renal arteries, or distally through the iliac arteries. Particularly preferred methods include a plurality of entry points made both above and below the afflicted area.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of implanting an abdominal aortic graft into the body of a patient, said patient having an abdominal aorta which has an interior and an exterior, said abdominal aorta being joined at a proximal end by at least one renal artery and said abdominal aorta being joined at a distal end to a first and a second iliac artery, said first and said second iliac arteries having interiors and exteriors and being in fluid communication with said abdominal aorta said first and said second iliac arteries joining said abdominal aorta so as to form a divide and said divide being disposed distal to the junction of said abdominal aorta and said renal artery which is disposed above said divide, comprising the steps of:
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providing access through first and second access points to open said interior of said first and second iliac arteries of said patient;
providing access through a third access point to said interior of said abdominal aorta above said iliac divide and above said junction between said aorta and said renal artery of said patient;introducing a bifurcated graft having an abdominal end, a first iliac end, and a second iliac end into said abdominal aorta and said iliac arteries through one of said access points; positioning said bifurcated graft by manipulating said graft through at least said third access point and at least one of said first or said second access points; and fixing said bifurcated graft in place. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of implanting a bifurcated graft into a bifurcated blood vessel within the body of a patient, said vessel having a first and a second hollow member which merge into a third hollow member, said first, second and third hollow members of said vessel being in fluid communication, comprising the steps of:
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providing access through a first access point to the interior of said first hollow member providing access through a second access point to the interior of said second hollow member and providing access through a third access point to the interior of said third hollow member; introducing into said first hollow member through said first access point a bifurcated mandril assembly having a first end, a second end and a third end said bifurcated mandril assembly including a bifurcated graft, by inserting said third end and said second end of said mandril assembly into said first hollow member, before introducing said first end of said mandril assembly into said first hollow member; manipulating said first and said second ends of said mandril assembly into place in the first and second hollow vessels respectively in such a way as to position said third end of said mandril assembly in the third hollow member; and fixing said bifurcated graft in place. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of implanting a bifurcated graft into a bifurcated blood vessel within the body of a patient, said vessel having a first and a second hollow member which merge into a third hollow member, said first, second and third hollow members of said bifurcated vessel being in fluid communication, comprising the steps of:
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providing access through a third access point to the interior of said third hollow member; introducing into said third hollow member a bifurcated mandril assembly having a first end, a second end and a third end, said bifurcated mandril assembly including a bifurcated graft, by inserting said first end and said second end of said mandril assembly into said third hollow member through said third access point, before introducing said third end of said mandril assembly therethrough; manipulating said mandril assembly into place such that said first end of said bifurcated mandril is disposed in said first hollow member, said second end of said bifurcated mandril is disposed in the second hollow member, and said third end of said mandril assembly is disposed in said third hollow member; and fixing said bifurcated graft in place. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification