Patent ID: 8353814
Filing Date: 2013-01-15
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for securing a compliant scaffold to an outer surface of a vascular graft, said method comprising: (a) positioning said scaffold radially about an elongated support tube, said support tube having a main body portion with a first outer diameter, and first and second radially outwardly flared end portions respectively defining first and second open ends of said support tube; (b) ligating a first terminus of said vascular graft with a suture tie; (c) inserting a suture puller along a first axial direction into said first open end and through a lumen of said support tube; (d) coupling a grasping end of said suture puller to said suture tie; (e) retracting said suture puller along a second axial direction through said support tube lumen and out from said first open end, thereby pulling said first terminus of said vascular graft through said support tube lumen; (f) axially deploying said scaffold over said first radially outwardly flared end portion and into compliant contact with said outer surface of said vascular graft; (g) securing said scaffold to a location of said vascular graft at or adjacent to said first terminus; and (h) removing said scaffold from said support tube by axially displacing said support tube along said first axial direction with respect to said scaffold.