Patent ID: 9173718
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of marking a blood vessel for use as a bypass graft in a patient, comprising the steps of: isolating the blood vessel in a state prepared for anastomosing to the patient; supporting the blood vessel on a preparation plate, wherein the preparation plate includes a placement guide marker; laying a stencil plate over the blood vessel and preparation plate, wherein the stencil plate has an opening exposing a portion of the blood vessel, wherein the opening in the stencil plate is comprised of a substantially lineal slot having a side-to-side width less than a minimum outside diameter of a section of the blood vessel that includes the exposed portion, and wherein the preparation plate and stencil plate include registration features so that when the stencil plate is placed on the preparation plate then the placement guide marker is registered at a position corresponding to the lineal slot; applying a dye through the opening onto the exposed portion of the blood vessel, wherein the stencil plate around the opening shields the blood vessel from the dye; and separating the blood vessel from the stencil plate and the preparation plate, whereby the dyed portion of the blood vessel guides anastomosing the blood vessel as a bypass graft.