Eversion apparatus and methods

• US 8,029,519 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Breton, Tom, Golden, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): SONNETT, KATHLEEN C
• Application Number:
  US11/521,152
• Publication Number:
  US 20070010835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,846 Days
• Field of Search: 606/108, 606/113, 606/139, 606/149, 606/114, 606144-148, 606151-156, 223 39- 43, 24/15, 24/32, 600/104
• US Class Current: 606/149
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis

Abstract

Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient includes an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit harvested from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit end portion over itself when moved proximally away from the end of the conduit and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto. A method of everting a graft includes positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom; introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from the support device; and moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.

Claims

1. A method of everting a graft comprising:

i) receiving a surgical eversion apparatus including a loop defined in a single plane the loop extending from a distal end of a handle wherein a longitudinal axis of the handle lies entirely in the single plane;

ii) positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom;

iii) introducing the loop of the surgical eversion apparatus into the end portion of the graft extending from the support device, wherein the single plane has a first angular relationship relative to an axis of the end portion upon being introduced into the end portion;

iv) changing an orientation of the loop relative to the graft while the loop is within the end portion such that the single plane has a second angular relationship relative to the axis of the end portion, the second angular relationship being more perpendicular than the first angular relationship; and

v) moving the loop over and around the support device such that the loop surrounds the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device;

wherein a length of a perimeter of the loop is fixed throughout steps i-v.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the graft comprises a tubular vascular graft.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first angular relationship is more parallel than the second angular relationship.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein changing an orientation of the loop includes pivoting the handle relative to the end portion.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the loop is formed by a generally looped shaped member extending from the handle and terminating at opposing, first and second ends, the method further including:

detaching one of the first and second ends from the handle following the step of moving the loop over and around the support device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the loop comprises a wire, the wire extending continuously from the distal end to form the loop immediately adjacent the distal end.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the loop defines an oval shape.