Patent ID: 8109947

Claim:
A method for installing a tubular graft between first and second spaced locations in a patient's tubular body structure comprising: providing a first aperture through a wall of the tubular body structure at the first location with a distal portion of an elongated structure inserted into and along a lumen of the tubular body structure to the first location; providing a surgical access opening in the patient adjacent one of the first and second locations; inserting an elongated guide member having first and second end portions through the surgical access opening; moving the second end portion of the elongated guide member into the tubular body structure by piercing the tubular body structure at the second location; moving the first end portion of the elongated guide member into the tubular body structure via the first aperture; passing the graft along the lumen of the tubular body structure and over and around an outside of the elongated guide member, through the wall at one of the first and second locations to the other of the locations; and attaching axially spaced portions of the graft to the tubular body structure adjacent the first and second locations.