Patent ID: 7118585

Claim:
A method for treating a patient by open surgery, comprising the steps of: inserting a catheter into the patient through a peripheral artery, the catheter comprising an elongate member having a plurality of flexible lines and a plurality of struts arranged circumferentially around a distal region of the elongate member, each strut having an end that pivots away from the instrument, each flexible line having a proximal end and a distal end that passes slideably through and beyond the end of the strut that carries it and is attached to the strut immediately adjacent the strut that carries it; advancing the catheter to a position downstream of a region of interest within an aorta; pushing the flexible lines distally to expand the struts radially outward; performing an open surgical procedure on the aorta; pulling the flexible lines proximally to contract the struts radially inward; and removing the catheter from the patient.