Abstract: Minimally invasive techniques are utilized in bypass grafting to implant an end portion of a graft in the body of a patent by (i) advancing a medical instrument within a circulatory system of the body, (ii) guiding a distal end of the medical instrument out of the circulatory system through an opening defined in the circulatory system, (iii) advancing the end portion of the graft within the medical instrument toward a surgical site, and (iv) securing the end portion of the graft to a blood vessel at the surgical site, wherein the graft includes resilient arms confined within the medical instrument that expand outwardly within the blood vessel following positioning of a graft end through an aperture in the blood vessel.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a first line having (i) a first proximal end portion defining a first opening, (ii) a first distal end portion defining a second opening, and (iii) a first fluid passage extending between the first opening and the second opening. The catheter assembly includes a second line having (i) a second proximal end portion defining a third opening, (ii) a second distal end portion defining a fourth opening, and (iii) a second fluid passage extending between the third opening and the fourth opening. The catheter assembly further includes an actuator movable between a first location and a second location. In addition, the catheter assembly includes a linkage connected between the actuator and the first distal end portion of the first line.

Abstract: Minimally invasive techniques utilized in bypass grafting are disclosed. For instance, a method of implanting an end portion of a graft in the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure includes the steps of (i) advancing a medical instrument within a circulatory system of said body, (ii) guiding a distal end of said medical instrument out of said circulatory system through an opening defined in said circulatory system after said medical instrument advancing step, (iii) advancing said end portion of said graft within said medical instrument after said guiding step, and (iv) securing said end portion of said graft to a blood vessel of said circulatory system after said end portion advancing step.

Abstract: Minimally invasive techniques utilized in bypass grafting are disclosed. For instance, a method of implanting an end portion of a graft in the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure includes the steps of (i) advancing a medical instrument within a circulatory system of said body, (ii) guiding a distal end of said medical instrument out of said circulatory system through an opening defined in said circulatory system after said medical instrument advancing step, (iii) advancing said end portion of said graft within said medical instrument after said guiding step, and (iv) securing said end portion of said graft to a blood vessel of said circulatory system after said end portion advancing step.

Abstract: A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure is disclosed. The body has a circulatory system which includes a femoral artery and an aorta. The method includes the steps of (i) making an incision in the body of the patient so as to expose the femoral artery and an inguinal ligament, (ii) advancing an endoscope between the femoral artery and the inguinal ligament until a distal end of the endoscope is positioned at a working site within the body, (iii) advancing the end portion of the graft between the femoral artery and the inguinal ligament to the working site, wherein said end portion advancing step includes the step of advancing the end portion of the graft through the endoscope, and (iv) forming an anastomosis between the end portion of the graft and the aorta at the working site.

Abstract: A subcutaneous port catheter system includes a reservoir defining a chamber therein. The catheter system also includes a guide catheter attached to the reservoir. The guide catheter has a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice. The catheter system further includes an inner catheter attached to the reservoir. The inner catheter is positioned within the guide lumen and extends through the distal guide orifice. A method of advancing fluid into a blood vessel of a body of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of performing dialysis with a catheter system which includes (i) a working catheter having a distal working orifice, and (ii) a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice is disclosed. The method includes the step of locking the working catheter in an operative position in which (i) the working catheter extends through the guide lumen of the guide catheter and out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter, and (ii) the distal working orifice of the working catheter is positioned outside of the guide catheter. The method further includes the step of performing a dialysis procedure including advancing and withdrawing blood through the working catheter while the working catheter is locked in the operative position.

Abstract: A method of performing dialysis with a, catheter system which includes (i) a working catheter having a distal working orifice, and (ii) a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice is disclosed. The method includes the step of locking the working catheter in an operative position in which (i) the working catheter extends through the guide lumen of the guide catheter and out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter, and (ii) the distal working orifice of the working catheter is positioned outside of the guide catheter. The method further includes the step of performing a dialysis procedure including advancing and withdrawing blood through the working catheter while the working catheter is locked in the operative position.

Abstract: Minimally invasive techniques utilized in bypass grafting are disclosed. For instance, a method of implanting an end portion of a graft in the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure includes the steps of (i) advancing a medical instrument within a circulatory system of said body, (ii) guiding a distal end of said medical instrument out of said circulatory system through an opening defined in said circulatory system after said medical instrument advancing step, (iii) advancing said end portion of said graft within said medical instrument after said guiding step, and (iv) securing said end portion of said graft to a blood vessel of said circulatory system after said end portion advancing step.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a working catheter having a distal working orifice. The catheter systems further includes a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice. In addition, the catheter system includes a locking mechanism which locks the working catheter relative to the guide catheter in (i) an operative position, and (ii) a stowed position. The catheter system also includes a tissue ingrowth member secured to an outer surface of the guide catheter and configured to facilitate fibrous tissue growth therein, whereby subcutaneous tissue of a body becomes affixed to the tissue ingrowth member when the tissue ingrowth member remains in contact with the subcutaneous tissue over a period of time.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a multi-lumen working catheter having a first distal working orifice and a second distal working orifice. The catheter system further includes a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice. Also, the catheter system includes a locking mechanism which locks the working catheter relative to the guide catheter in (i) an operative position, and (ii) a stowed position. When the working catheter is locked in the operative position, (i) the working catheter extends through the guide lumen of the guide catheter and out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter, and (ii) the first distal working orifice and the second distal working orifice are each positioned outside of the guide catheter.

Abstract: A subcutaneous port catheter system includes a reservoir defining a chamber therein. The catheter system also includes a guide catheter attached to the reservoir. The guide catheter has a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice. The catheter system further includes an inner catheter attached to the reservoir. The inner catheter is positioned within the guide lumen and extends through the distal guide orifice. A method of advancing fluid into a blood vessel of a body of a patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of using a catheter system to perform medical procedures is disclosed in which the catheter system includes a guide catheter configured to receive inner catheters therein. The method includes performing initial medical procedures with the catheter system until an original inner catheter located within the guide catheter becomes dysfunctional, wherein (i) the initial medical procedures performed during the initial medical procedures performing step are respectively separated in time by interim time periods, and (ii) the original inner catheter is retained within the guide catheter during the interim time periods.

Abstract: A method of performing dialysis with a catheter system which includes (i) a working catheter having a distal working orifice, and (ii) a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice is disclosed. The method includes the step of locking the working catheter in an operative position in which (i) the working catheter extends through the guide lumen of the guide catheter and out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter, and (ii) the distal working orifice of the working catheter is positioned outside of the guide catheter. The method further includes the step of performing a dialysis procedure including advancing and withdrawing blood through the working catheter while the working catheter is locked in the operative position.

Abstract: A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure is disclosed. The body has a circulatory system which includes a femoral artery and an aorta. The method includes the steps of (i) making an incision in the body of the patient so as to expose the femoral artery and an inguinal ligament, (ii) advancing an endoscope between the femoral artery and the inguinal ligament until a distal end of the endoscope is positioned at a working site within the body, (iii) advancing the end portion of the graft between the femoral artery and the inguinal ligament to the working site, wherein said end portion advancing step includes the step of advancing the end portion of the graft through the endoscope, and (iv) forming an anastomosis between the end portion of the graft and the aorta at the working site.

Abstract: A catheter system includes a multi-lumen working catheter having a first distal working orifice and a second distal working orifice. The catheter system further includes a guide catheter having a guide lumen and a distal guide orifice. Also, the catheter system includes a locking mechanism which locks the working catheter relative to the guide catheter in (i) an operative position, and (ii) a stowed position. When the working catheter is locked in the operative position, (i) the working catheter extends through the guide lumen of the guide catheter and out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter, and (ii) the first distal working orifice and the second distal working orifice are each positioned outside of the guide catheter.

Abstract: A catheter system for use in a body of a patient is disclosed. The catheter system includes a guide catheter having a distal guide orifice, a proximal guide orifice, and a guide lumen extending therebetween. The catheter system further includes an original catheter positionable within the guide lumen of the guide catheter, wherein the original catheter has an original lumen and an original distal orifice. In addition, the catheter system includes a replacement catheter positionable within the guide lumen of the guide catheter, wherein the replacement catheter has a replacement lumen and a replacement distal orifice. The catheter system also includes a closure member securable to the guide catheter so as to cover the proximal guide orifice. The original distal orifice is positioned on an original distal segment of the original catheter which extends out of the distal guide orifice of the guide catheter when the original catheter is positioned within the guide lumen of the guide catheter.

Abstract: A long-term dialysis catheter system for use in a body of a patient includes a guide catheter having a guide lumen defined therein, wherein the guide lumen defines a distal guide orifice. The system also includes a tissue ingrowth member secured to an outer surface of the guide catheter. The system further includes an original dialysis catheter positionable between an original inserted position and an original removed position, wherein (i) the original dialysis catheter has an original ingress lumen and an original egress lumen defined therein, (ii) the original ingress lumen defines an original distal ingress orifice, and (iii) the original egress lumen defines an original distal egress orifice.

Abstract: A method for directing blood flow in the body of a patient with a graft and stent assembly includes the step of positioning the graft and stent assembly in a first blood flow conduit so that (i) a stent sidewall of a stent of the graft and stent assembly conforms to a conduit sidewall of the first blood flow conduit, and (ii) an orifice of a second blood flow conduit is positioned relative to the stent sidewall so that blood flow must pass through the stent sidewall in order to advance into the orifice of the second blood flow conduit. The method further includes the step of advancing blood flow through an upstream end of the stent of the graft and stent assembly and into a central passage thereof. In addition, the method includes the step of advancing blood flow from the central passage of the stent of the graft and stent assembly into the orifice of the second blood flow conduit through the stent sidewall.

Abstract: A method of securing an end portion of a graft to a blood vessel of a patient's circulatory system during a bypass grafting procedure includes the step of inhibiting blood flow to a region of the circulatory system by inflating a number of balloons within the circulatory system, wherein a segment of the blood vessel is located in the blood flow inhibited region. The method further includes the step of creating an arteriotomy in a sidewall of the segment of the blood vessel while the number of balloons are inflated within the circulatory system. Additionally, the method includes the step of anastomosing the end portion of the graft to the segment of the blood vessel during the blood flow inhibiting step.