Abstract: A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure includes the steps of (1) making an arteriotomy in a sidewall of a blood vessel at a first area to create a communicating aperture between a first location inside of the blood vessel and a second location outside of the blood vessel, wherein the arteriotomy making step is performed while the first area is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, (2) advancing the end portion of the graft to the first area, wherein the advancing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, and (3) forming an anastomosis between the end portion of the graft and the blood vessel at the first area, wherein the anastomosis forming step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body.

Abstract: A method of implanting a graft in the body of a patient to bypass a segment of a blood vessel includes the steps of: (1) securing a first end of the graft to the blood vessel at a first location while the first location is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, and (2) securing a second end of the graft to the blood vessel at a second location while the second location is exposed through an incision in the body. The first end securing step comprises the step of securing the first end of the graft to the blood vessel with an expandable stent. The second end securing step comprises the step of suturing the second end of the graft to the blood vessel.

Abstract: A graft and stent assembly is securable to a first sidewall of a blood vessel having an arteriotomy defined therein, with the blood vessel having a flow of blood therein. The assembly includes a graft which has an orifice. The graft further has an end portion which is positionable within the blood vessel and substantially adjacent to a portion of the first sidewall of the blood-vessel which substantially surrounds the arteriotomy. The assembly further includes a stent which has a second sidewall. The stent is positionable within the blood vessel and in contact with the end portion of the graft so as to secure the end portion of the graft between the first sidewall of the blood vessel and the stent. The orifice of the graft is positioned relative to the second sidewall of the stent so that the flow of blood must pass through the second sidewall of the stent in order to advance through the orifice of the graft.

Abstract: A method of implanting a graft in a patient's body is disclosed. According to the method, a first end of the graft is anastomosed to the blood vessel at a first location which is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, and a second end of the graft is anastomosed to the blood vessel at a second location which is visually exposed through a gaping surgical incision. The first end of the graft includes a flanged end portion which is guided into the blood vessel through an arteriotomy defined therein near the first location so as to be positioned substantially adjacent a portion of a sidewall of the blood vessel which substantially surrounds the arteriotomy. An expandable stent is then placed within the blood vessel and in contact with the flanged end portion so as to secure the flanged end portion of the graft between the sidewall of the blood vessel and the stent thereby securing the graft to the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method of implanting a graft prosthesis in the body of a patient to bypass a segment of a blood vessel. A graft is positioned so that one end of the graft is located substantially adjacent the blood vessel at a site upstream of the segment and the other end of the graft is located substantially adjacent the blood vessel at a site downstream of the segment, wherein the positioning step includes the step of advancing the graft within the body with a medical instrument. A region of the area within the blood vessel near the upstream site is isolated from fluid communication with the rest of the area within the blood vessel. An arteriotomy is made in the sidewall of the blood vessel near the upstream site to create a communicating aperture between the upstream isolated region and the outside of the blood vessel. An anastomosis is then formed between the one end of the graft and the blood vessel near the upstream site.