Patent ID: 7897090

Claim:
A method for forming a vessel-loop, comprising: positioning a heat-sensitive element within a section of tubing intermediate first and second opposed ends of the tubing section, the tubing section having an inner surface defining a first diameter, and the heat-sensitive element having an outer surface defining a second diameter which is less than the first diameter; applying a first tensile force to the first end of the tubing section and applying a second tensile force to the second end of the tubing section, the first and second forces acting in generally opposite directions so as to decrease the diameter of the tubing section from the first diameter to the second diameter, whereby the inner surface of an adjacent portion of the tubing section is brought into contact with the outer surface of the heat-sensitive element; applying heat to the heat-sensitive element and the adjacent portion of the tubing section, whereby at least the outer surface of the heat-sensitive element melts and adheres to the adjacent portion of the tubing section; allowing the heat-sensitive element and the adjacent portion of the tubing section to cool to a point where a conjoined reduced-diameter portion is formed; dividing the reduced-diameter portion so as to form two ends having respective reduced-diameter ends; and securing the reduced-diameter end of one of the ends within an opening formed in a needle.