US6673084B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical graft connector
Assignee: St Jude Medical ATG Inc
•
Filing: 2000-10-24
•
Granted: 2004-01-06
•
Expires: 2020-10-24
Abstract
Abstract A medical graft connector for connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof has a plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit. At least one of the plurality of fingers has an end portion configured to pierce the graft conduit. The plurality of fingers is substantially radially aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis and wherein the connector is radially enlargeable between a first size and a second size.
Inventors
- 👤 Alex Alden Peterson
- 👤 Paul J. Hindrichs
- 👤 Mark D. Wahlberg
- 👤 Todd Allen Berg
- 👤 Jon Patrick St. Germain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/88; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B17/064; A61B2017/0641; A61B2017/1135; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/005; A61F2230/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof, comprising: a plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit, wherein one of the plurality of fingers has an end portion configured to pierce the graft conduit, wherein the plurality of fingers is substantially radially aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis and wherein the connector is radially enlargeable in use between a first size and a second size.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof, comprising: a plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit, wherein one of the plurality of fingers has an end portion configured to pierce the graft conduit, wherein the plurality of fingers is substantially radially aligned with respect to a longitudinal axis and wherein the connector is radially enlargeable in use between a first size and a second size.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the fingers are resilient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the fingers are fabricated from a material having shape-memory characteristics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connector defined in claim 1 , wherein each of the fingers are configured to move from a position substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and a position radially outwardly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector defined in claim 1 , further comprising a body portion, wherein the plurality of fingers are configured to extend at least partially radially outward from the body portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector defined in claim 5 , wherein the body portion is radially enlargeable from a first size to a second size.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector defined in claim 5 , wherein the body portion is radially enlargeable from a first size to a second size.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof, comprising: a body portion configured to surround a portion of the graft conduit; and a plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit, wherein one of the plurality of fingers has an end portion configured to pierce the graft conduit, and wherein the connector is radially enlargeable in use between a first size and a second size.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a side wall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the side wall thereof, comprising: a body portion configured to surround a portion of the graft conduit; and a plurality of fingers configured to engage an interior surface of the side wall of the existing conduit, wherein one of the plurality of fingers has an end portion configured to pierce the graft conduit, and wherein the connector is radially enlargeable in use between a first size and a second size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector defined in claim 7 , wherein each of the fingers are resilient.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector defined in claim 7 , wherein each of the fingers are fabricated from a material having shape-memory characteristics.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector defined in claim 7 , wherein the each of the fingers are configured to move from a position substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and a position radially outwardly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
289 words
A connector for use in making an artificial, fluid-tight, hollow, annular connection between an end portion of a tubular graft conduit and a side wall of a tubular body conduit in a patient via an artificially created aperture in the side wall of the tubular body conduit so that the tubular graft conduit extends from the tubular body conduit outside of the tubular body conduit and the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the tubular graft conduit and the tubular body conduit via the connection, the connector comprising: a structure which is annularly continuous and configured for disposition annularly around the outside of the tubular graft conduit; a plurality of first members extending from the structure in an annular array which is substantially concentric with the structure, the first members being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially out from the structure and being elastically deflectable substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the structure; and a plurality of second members extending from the structure in an annular array which is substantially concentric with the structure, the second members being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially out from the structure and being elastically deflectable substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the structure, the first members being configured to pass through the side wall of the tubular graft conduit at respective locations that are spaced from one another around the side wall of the tubular graft conduit, and the first and second members being further configured to reach respective locations on the side wall of the tubular body conduit that are spaced annularly around the aperture when the connector is in use and the first and second members are extending substantially radially out from the structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
289 words
A connector for use in making an artificial, fluid-tight, hollow, annular connection between an end portion of a tubular graft conduit and a side wall of a tubular body conduit in a patient via an artificially created aperture in the side wall of the tubular body conduit so that the tubular graft conduit extends from the tubular body conduit outside of the tubular body conduit and the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the tubular graft conduit and the tubular body conduit via the connection, the connector comprising: a structure which is annularly continuous and configured for disposition annularly around the outside of the tubular graft conduit; a plurality of first members extending from the structure in an annular array which is substantially concentric with the structure, the first members being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially out from the structure and being elastically deflectable substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the structure; and a plurality of second members extending from the structure in an annular array which is substantially concentric with the structure, the second members being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially out from the structure and being elastically deflectable substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the structure, the first members being configured to pass through the side wall of the tubular graft conduit at respective locations that are spaced from one another around the side wall of the tubular graft conduit, and the first and second members being further configured to reach respective locations on the side wall of the tubular body conduit that are spaced annularly around the aperture when the connector is in use and the first and second members are extending substantially radially out from the structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members extend from respective first and second axially spaced portions of the structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein when the first and second members are deflected substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the structure, they extend in respective opposite directions away from the structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
8 words
The connector defined in claim 12 comprising nitinol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members are further configured for disposition on respective opposite sides of the side wall of the tubular body conduit when the connector is in use and the first and second members are extending substantially radially out from the structure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein the structure is configured for annular flexibility.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein the structure is configured for axial flexibility.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector defined in claim 12 wherein the structure and the first and second members are all one piece.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
172 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a sidewall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the sidewall thereof so that the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the graft conduit and the body conduit, comprising: a first plurality of fingers in an annular array which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the first plurality of fingers being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit and being elastically deflectable to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the graft conduit and to point toward the end of the graft conduit so that the fingers can penetrate the graft conduit from outside the graft conduit adjacent its end, whereby when the end of the graft conduit is inserted into the aperture and the first plurality of fingers are allowed to extend radially out, they evert the end of the graft conduit inside the lumen of the body conduit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
172 words
A connector for use in connecting an end of a tubular graft conduit to a sidewall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the sidewall thereof so that the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the graft conduit and the body conduit, comprising: a first plurality of fingers in an annular array which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the first plurality of fingers being resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit and being elastically deflectable to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the graft conduit and to point toward the end of the graft conduit so that the fingers can penetrate the graft conduit from outside the graft conduit adjacent its end, whereby when the end of the graft conduit is inserted into the aperture and the first plurality of fingers are allowed to extend radially out, they evert the end of the graft conduit inside the lumen of the body conduit.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
The connector defined in claim 20 wherein the first plurality of fingers are additionally adapted to engage the inside of the sidewall of the body conduit adjacent the everted end of the graft conduit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The connector defined in claim 20 wherein the first plurality of fingers are additionally adapted to resist removal of the everted end of the graft from the aperture.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The connector defined in claim 20 further comprising: an annular structure which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the first plurality of fingers being connected to the annular structure.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The connector defined in claim 20 further comprising: a second plurality of fingers in an annular array which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the second plurality of fingers being adapted to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit to engage the outside of the sidewall at locations that are distributed annularly around the aperture.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector defined in claim 24 further comprising: an annular structure which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the first and second pluralities of fingers being connected to the annular structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector defined in claim 24 wherein the second plurality of fingers are resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connector defined in claim 26 wherein the second plurality of fingers are elastically deflectable to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the graft conduit and to point away from the end of the graft conduit.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for using a connector to connect an end of a tubular graft conduit to a sidewall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the sidewall thereof so that the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the graft conduit and the body conduit, comprising: positioning the connector annularly around the outside of the graft conduit, wherein the connector comprises a first plurality of fingers in an annular array that are resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit in a first position; deflecting the first plurality of fingers into a second deflected position whereby they are pointed toward the end of the graft conduit substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the graft conduit; causing the first plurality of fingers to pierce the graft conduit from outside the graft conduit adjacent the end; introducing the connector into the aperture with the first plurality of fingers in the second deflected position so that the first plurality of fingers and the end of the graft conduit are inside the lumen of the body conduit; and allowing the first plurality fingers to assume the first position so that the first plurality of fingers evert the end of the graft conduit inside the lumen of the body conduit, engage the inside of the sidewall of the body conduit adjacent the everted end, and resist removal of the everted end from the aperture.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for using a connector to connect an end of a tubular graft conduit to a sidewall of a patient's existing tubular body conduit via an aperture in the sidewall thereof so that the patient's body fluid can flow between lumens of the graft conduit and the body conduit, comprising: positioning the connector annularly around the outside of the graft conduit, wherein the connector comprises a first plurality of fingers in an annular array that are resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit in a first position; deflecting the first plurality of fingers into a second deflected position whereby they are pointed toward the end of the graft conduit substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the graft conduit; causing the first plurality of fingers to pierce the graft conduit from outside the graft conduit adjacent the end; introducing the connector into the aperture with the first plurality of fingers in the second deflected position so that the first plurality of fingers and the end of the graft conduit are inside the lumen of the body conduit; and allowing the first plurality fingers to assume the first position so that the first plurality of fingers evert the end of the graft conduit inside the lumen of the body conduit, engage the inside of the sidewall of the body conduit adjacent the everted end, and resist removal of the everted end from the aperture.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 28 wherein the connector further includes an annular structure to which the fingers are connected, the positioning comprising: disposing the annular structure substantially concentrically around the outside of the graft conduit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method defined in claim 28 wherein the connector further includes a second plurality of fingers disposed in an annular array which can be disposed around the outside of the graft conduit substantially concentric therewith, the second plurality of fingers being adapted to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit, the method further comprising: extending the second plurality of fingers radially outward from the graft conduit to engage the outside of the sidewall at locations that are distributed annularly around the aperture.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method defined in claim 30 wherein the connector further includes an annular structure to which the first and second pluralities of fingers are connected, the positioning comprising: disposing the annular structure substantially concentrically around the outside of the graft conduit.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method defined in claim 30 wherein the second plurality of fingers are resiliently biased to extend substantially radially outward from the graft conduit and elastically deflectable to extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the graft conduit and to point away from the end of the graft conduit, and wherein the extending comprises: allowing the second plurality of fingers to extend radially outward from the graft conduit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method defined in claim 32 further comprising: introducing the connector into the aperture with the second plurality of fingers elastically deflected; and allowing the second plurality of fingers to resiliently extend radially outward from the graft conduit to engage the outside of the sidewall at locations that are distributed annularly around the aperture.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-01-05 | 2007-07-07 | 2008-01-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-01-05 | 2011-07-07 | 2012-01-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-01-05 | 2015-07-07 | 2016-01-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |