Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for repairing an aortic aneurysm in a patient, with a prosthetic aortic graft, said prosthetic aortic graft having one or more branches corresponding to one or more of the left subclavian, right subclavian and carotid arteries, one branch corresponding to one artery, said method comprising the steps of: exposing and dissecting one or more of said left subclavian, right subclavian and left carotid and right carotid arteries, and said patient's left femoral artery; catheterizing each of said exposed subclavian and carotid arteries; a first threading of a first end of a guide wire through each of said catheters in each of said exposed subclavian and carotid arteries toward and through said exposed, dissected femoral artery, each of said catheters having a different guide wire threaded therethrough, while maintaining a second end of each of said guide wires at said exposed, dissected subclavian and carotid arteries; the second threading of each of said first ends of said guide wires through the branch in said prosthetic aortic graft and back through the catheter toward said exposed, dissected subclavian and carotid arteries corresponding to the artery through which said guide wire was first threaded, while anchoring each of said guide wires to their respective branches; placing said prosthetic aortic graft into an openable and closeable capsule; drawing said prosthetic aortic graft in said capsule from said femoral artery toward said patient's aortic arch by pulling on said first and second ends of said guide wires; aligning each of said branches of said prosthetic aortic graft with said corresponding artery by pulling on the appropriate one of said guide wires; securing said prosthetic aortic graft to said patient's aortic wall; removing said catheters and guide wires; and closing and covering said dissected, exposed arteries.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
292 words
A method for repairing an aortic aneurysm in a patient, with a prosthetic aortic graft, said prosthetic aortic graft having one or more branches corresponding to one or more of the left subclavian, right subclavian and carotid arteries, one branch corresponding to one artery, said method comprising the steps of: exposing and dissecting one or more of said left subclavian, right subclavian and left carotid and right carotid arteries, and said patient's left femoral artery; catheterizing each of said exposed subclavian and carotid arteries; a first threading of a first end of a guide wire through each of said catheters in each of said exposed subclavian and carotid arteries toward and through said exposed, dissected femoral artery, each of said catheters having a different guide wire threaded therethrough, while maintaining a second end of each of said guide wires at said exposed, dissected subclavian and carotid arteries; the second threading of each of said first ends of said guide wires through the branch in said prosthetic aortic graft and back through the catheter toward said exposed, dissected subclavian and carotid arteries corresponding to the artery through which said guide wire was first threaded, while anchoring each of said guide wires to their respective branches; placing said prosthetic aortic graft into an openable and closeable capsule; drawing said prosthetic aortic graft in said capsule from said femoral artery toward said patient's aortic arch by pulling on said first and second ends of said guide wires; aligning each of said branches of said prosthetic aortic graft with said corresponding artery by pulling on the appropriate one of said guide wires; securing said prosthetic aortic graft to said patient's aortic wall; removing said catheters and guide wires; and closing and covering said dissected, exposed arteries.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said securing step includes suturing said prosthetic aortic graft to said patient's aortic wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said securing step includes stenting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein aortic valve replacement is to be performed simultaneously with the repairing of the aortic aneurysm, further comprising the steps of: securing a prosthetic aortic valve to said prosthetic graft; pulverizing said patient's aortic valve prior to securing said graft to said patient's aortic wall; and securing said prosthetic aortic valve and said prosthetic graft to said patient's aortic wall, simultaneously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said prosthesis comprises a material selected from the group consisting of DACRON and GORTEX.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: inserting an external stent in the thoracic cavity via a chest port, said external stent having first and second cushions separated by a semi-rigid tubing therebetween and an inflator tube connected at one end inside the thoracic cavity to said semi-rigid tube and connected at an opposite end outside said thoracic cavity to a bulb and gauge for inflating said cushions to the systemic pressure; inflating said external stent; inserting an internal stent through a femoral artery, said internal stent having an inflatable donut shaped balloon which is connected by a silicone tube to a shaft of a catheter lodging said internal stent at an aortic dissection; and inflating said donut shaped balloon against the aortic dissection from within the aortic arch and directly opposite to the external stent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the prosthetic aortic valve is selected from the group consisting of bioprosthetic valves and xenograft valves.