Patent ID: 6416535
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for placing a graft into a fluid conducting corporeal lumen having an interior surface, comprising the steps of:providing an apparatus for placement of the graft in the corporeal lumen, said apparatus including: the graft preselected in length having first and second ends, said graft being deformable to conform substantially to a portion of the interior surface of the corporeal lumen; a first attachment device positioned near the first end of said graft that attaches said graft against the interior surface of the corporeal lumen; a cover having sufficient length to receive the first and second ends of said graft, said cover having a tapered terminal end forming an aperture having a cross section selected for passage of the graft; an elongate member having a first end secured to said cover; making an opening in the corporeal lumen sized for passing said cover therethrough; inserting said cover into said opening and positioning the cover upstream into said corporeal lumen to a desired location by manipulating the elongate member; operating the elongate member to release said graft and said first attachment device through said aperture and into the corporeal lumen; and removing the cover from said corporeal lumen by manipulating the apparatus; and closing said opening.