Patent ID: 6325067
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A method for forming an anastomosis between a mammary artery and a coronary artery of a patient, said method comprising:positioning at least one trocar sheath through the patient's chest;introducing a viewing scope through the trocar sheath to view the region around the heart;collapsing a lung beneath the mammary artery while ventilating the contralateral lung;transecting the mammary artery using a tool introduced through a trocar sheath while viewing the artery using the viewing scope;endovascularly partitioning the patient's arterial system at a location within the ascending aorta between the brachiocephalic artery and the coronary ostia;establishing cardiopulmonary bypass;stopping heart contraction;collapsing both lungs;forming, an incision in the coronary artery using a cutting tool introduced through a trocar sheath while viewing the artery using the viewing scope while the heart is stopped; andconnecting the transected internal mammary artery to the incision in the coronary artery using a tool introduced through one of the trocar sheaths while viewing the arteries using the viewing scope while the heart is stopped.