Patent ID: 6250305
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for performing a coronary bypass procedure at a coronary vessel lying at an exterior of a heart wall, the method comprising:securing a first end of an elongated natural vessel graft to a rigid hollow conduit such that the graft and the conduit define a blood flow path, the conduit sufficiently rigid to maintain an open blood flow path through the conduit during systole;inserting the hollow conduit through the heart wall such that the blood flow path is placed in fluid communication with a heart chamber; andsecuring a second end of the graft to the coronary vessel such that the graft extends at least partially on the exterior of the heart wall, the blood flow path defined by the conduit and the graft providing fluid communication between the heart chamber and the coronary vessel, wherein the blood flow path allows blood to flow from the heart chamber into the coronary vessel.