Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 48
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming a vascular anastomosis, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first component and a second component, the first and second components being magnetically attracted to one another, the first component having an expandable portion; selecting a first blood vessel having a lumen; selecting a second blood vessel having a lumen; providing an opening communicating with the lumen of the first blood vessel; expanding the expandable portion of the first component to secure the first component to the first blood vessel adjacent the opening; and approximating the first and second components so that the first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another thereby coupling the first and second blood vessels together to place the lumens in communication with one another.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for forming a vascular anastomosis, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first component and a second component, the first and second components being magnetically attracted to one another, the first component having an expandable portion; selecting a first blood vessel having a lumen; selecting a second blood vessel having a lumen; providing an opening communicating with the lumen of the first blood vessel; expanding the expandable portion of the first component to secure the first component to the first blood vessel adjacent the opening; and approximating the first and second components so that the first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another thereby coupling the first and second blood vessels together to place the lumens in communication with one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanding step is carried out with the expandable portion being at least partially positioned within the lumen of the first blood vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the expandable portion is a stent and the expanding step is carried out by expanding the stent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the expanding step is carried out with the expandable portion expanding radially outward into contact with the wall of the first blood vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the approximating step is carried out with the first and second components contacting one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an opening in communication with the lumen of the second blood vessel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing step is carried out without penetrating or everting the first blood vessel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing and approximating steps are carried out without everting either of the first and second blood vessels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing step is carried out by using an adhesive to adhere the first component to the first blood vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the securing step is carried out by compressing a wall of the first blood vessel with the first component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the securing step is carried out by using magnetism to compress and secure the first component to the first blood vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of securing the second component to the second blood vessel before the approximating step.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein the securing step is carried out so that the first component and the first blood vessel form a first contact surface and the second component and the second blood vessel form a second contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is formed at least in part by an exposed portion of the second component, and the approximating step is carried out with the exposed portion of the second component contacting the first contact surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the approximating step is carried out with the exposed portion contacting the first blood vessel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the approximating step is carried out with the exposed portion contacting the first component.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the providing and approximating steps are carried out by using magnetic attractive force between the first and second components, the force being sufficient to maintain the anastomosis between the first and second blood vessels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step is carried out with each of the first and second components including a magnetic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the providing step is carried out with only one of the first and second components including a magnetic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of preventing the first and second components from migrating toward one another beyond a predetermined distance.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first blood vessel being a coronary artery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first blood vessel being the aorta.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the second blood vessel being a vessel selected from the group consisting of natural blood vessels and vessels formed of synthetic material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first and second blood vessels being a vessel selected from the group consisting of natural blood vessels and vessels formed of synthetic material.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for forming a side-to-side vascular anastomosis between a side wall of a first blood vessel and a side wall of a second blood vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first component and a second component, the first and second components being magnetically attracted to one another; selecting a first blood vessel having a lumen and a second blood vessel having a lumen, the first and second blood vessels each having an opening in a side wall thereof; securing the first component to the side wall of the first vessel; and moving the second vessel toward the first vessel so that the first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another, thereby coupling the opening in the side wall of the second blood vessel to the opening in the side wall of the first blood vessel to place the lumens in communication with one another; wherein the moving step is performed after securing the first component to the first vessel.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for forming a side-to-side vascular anastomosis between a side wall of a first blood vessel and a side wall of a second blood vessel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first component and a second component, the first and second components being magnetically attracted to one another; selecting a first blood vessel having a lumen and a second blood vessel having a lumen, the first and second blood vessels each having an opening in a side wall thereof; securing the first component to the side wall of the first vessel; and moving the second vessel toward the first vessel so that the first and second components are magnetically attracted to one another, thereby coupling the opening in the side wall of the second blood vessel to the opening in the side wall of the first blood vessel to place the lumens in communication with one another; wherein the moving step is performed after securing the first component to the first vessel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the moving step is carried out until the first and second components contact one another.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing step is carried out without penetrating or everting the first blood vessel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing and moving steps are carried out without everting either of the first and second blood vessels.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing step is carried out by using an adhesive to adhere the first component to the first blood vessel.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing step is carried out by compressing a wall of the first blood vessel with the first component.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing step is carried out by using magnetism to compress and secure the first component to the first blood vessel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of securing the second component to the second blood vessel before the moving step.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the securing steps are carried out so that the first component and first blood vessel form a first contact surface and the second component and the second blood vessel form a second contact surface, wherein the second contact surface is formed at least in part by an exposed portion of the second component and the moving step is carried out with the exposed portion of the second component contacting the first contact surface.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the moving step is carried out with the exposed portion of the second component contacting the first blood vessel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the moving step is carried out with the exposed portion of the second component contacting the first component.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the providing and moving steps are carried out with the magnetic attractive force between the first and second components being sufficient to maintain the anastomosis between the first and second blood vessels.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the providing step is carried out with both the first and second components including a magnetic material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the providing step is carried out with only one of the first and second components including a magnetic material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 24 , further comprising the step of preventing the first and second components from migrating toward one another beyond a predetermined distance.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first blood vessel being a coronary artery.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first blood vessel being the aorta.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the second blood vessel being a vessel selected from the group consisting of natural blood vessels and vessels formed of synthetic material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the selecting step is carried out with the first and second blood vessels being a vessel selected from the group consisting of natural blood vessels and vessels formed of synthetic material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 24 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the first component having an expandable portion, and the securing step is carried out by expanding the expandable portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the securing step is carried out with the expandable portion being at least partially positioned within the lumen of the first blood vessel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the expandable portion being a stent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 43 , wherein the providing step is carried out with the expandable portion expanding radially outward into contact with the wall of the first blood vessel.