Abstract: Connectors are provided for making connections between tubular conduits in medical procedures such as those involving treatment of a patient's circulatory system. The connectors are variously configured for making end-to-side or end-to-end connections of tubular conduits. One of the tubular conduits may be a graft conduit, which can be artificial conduit, natural conduit, or a combination of both. The connectors for making end-to-side connections can be generally T-shaped or L-shaped. Various portions of the connectors can attach to the inside or outside of the associated conduit, depending on the connector configuration that is selected.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 30, 2000
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2001
Assignee:
St. Jude Medical Anastomotic Technology Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Todd Allen Berg, Thomas J. Bachinski, Alex Alden Peterson, Gregory Alan Boldenow
Abstract: A catheter with at least one integrated lumen and methods of its manufacture and use are provided. A method of manufacture includes: (1) covering a primary mandrel with a first layer, (2) disposing a second layer on the first layer, wherein the second layer has at least one removable secondary mandrel substantially embedded therein, (3) fusing the first layer to the second layer, (4) removing the secondary mandrel from the second layer to form a secondary lumen, and (5) removing the primary mandrel from the first layer to form a primary lumen. The method may further include forming an inflatable balloon at the surface of the second layer where the secondary lumen forms an opening. Also, auxiliary apparatus, such as snare instruments and bundles of optical fibers, may be inserted through the secondary lumen before or during use of the catheter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 17, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 14, 2001
Assignee:
St. Jude Medical Anastomotic Technology Group, Inc.
Inventors:
Todd Allen Berg, Paul J. Hindrichs, Christopher Michael Prigge
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient. The artificial grafts may have shapes other than tubular. Certain procedural and apparatus aspects of the invention have uses other than in connection with grafting in general or tubular grafting in particular.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 4, 1999
Date of Patent:
March 27, 2001
Assignee:
St. Jude Medical Anastomotic Technology Group Inc.
Inventors:
David S. Goldsteen, Thomas J. Bachinski, Rudy Mazzocchi, Daniel J. Sullivan