EP0032826A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Vein distention apparatus
Assignee: Livanova Holding USA Inc
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Filing: 1981-01-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus 10 for the distention and irrigation of a saphenous vein which is being tested prior to use as a coronary or peripheral bypass graft includes a specially-configured cannula 70 for insertion into the vein 90, and a pressure-limiting device 40 having a resilient membrane reservoir 54 which limits the hydrostatic pressure delivered to the vein to a predetermined level. The device is connected between the cannula inserted into the vein and a syringe 20 filled with irrigation fluid. As fluid is delivered under pressure from the syringe 20, the membrane reservoir 54 fills with fluid and inflates within a specified range of pressures so that, if excessive force is applied to the syringe, the membrane inflates and the pressure transmitted to the vein cannot exceed a predetermined maximum pressure. A stopcock 36 connected between the syringe and the membrane allows the membrane to be pressurized with the contents of the syringe. With the membrane filled and pressurized, the stopcock is closed, allowing the membrane to act as a reservoir which irrigates the vein at a constant, controlled pressure without further use of the syringe. The cannula has a tapered and bevelled tip which allows easy insertion into the vein, and a sloping shoulder just proximal to t!.e tip which provides a convenient site for firmly securing the vein to the cannula with a ligature.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence I. Bonchek
- 👤 Abdul Sattar Saudagar
- 👤 Robert F. Rosenbluth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B90/00; A61B17/00008; A61B90/03; A61B2090/032; A61B90/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
1 Apparatus for distention of a vein segment under controlled pressure, comprising: a syringe for containing an irrigation fluid; a cannular for introducing said fluid from said syringe into said vein segment; and means connecting said syringe and said cannula and providing a fluid path therebetween, for limiting the hydrostatic pressure in said vein to a predetermined maximum as said fluid is introduced into said vein, said maximum pressure being independent of either the pressure applied to said syringe or the rate of flow of said fluid from said syringe into said cannula said maximum pressure being determined substantially solely by the physical characteristics of said pressure limiting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
1 Apparatus for distention of a vein segment under controlled pressure, comprising: a syringe for containing an irrigation fluid; a cannular for introducing said fluid from said syringe into said vein segment; and means connecting said syringe and said cannula and providing a fluid path therebetween, for limiting the hydrostatic pressure in said vein to a predetermined maximum as said fluid is introduced into said vein, said maximum pressure being independent of either the pressure applied to said syringe or the rate of flow of said fluid from said syringe into said cannula said maximum pressure being determined substantially solely by the physical characteristics of said pressure limiting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
2 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressure-limiting means comprises: an inlet connected to said syringe: an outlet connected to said cannula; and a resilient, expandable reservoir connected between said inlet and said outlet, the physical characteristics of said reservoir determining said maximum pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
3 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said predetermined pressure is within the range of between 100 and 400 millimeters of mercury.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
4 The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pressure-limiting means comprises: automatic fluid delivery means for first receiving fluid from said syringe and then delivering said fluid to said cannula at a predetermined pressure without the application of pressure to said syringe.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
5 The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said automatic fluid delivery means comprises: reservoir means for receiving said fluid from said syringe and containing said fluid at a predetermined pressure; and valving means for selectively blocking fluid flow between said syringe and said reservoir means so that fluid is delivered to said cannula from said reservoir means at said predetermined pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
Is Apparatus for distention of a harvested vein segment under controlled pressure, comprising: a source of irrigation fluid; means for delivering said fluid from said source into said vein segment at a pressure which is sufficient to overcome substantially all spasm in said vein segment, and which causes the least possible damage to the tissues in the vein segment consistent with the need to overcome spasm and identify leaks.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
Is Apparatus for distention of a harvested vein segment under controlled pressure, comprising: a source of irrigation fluid; means for delivering said fluid from said source into said vein segment at a pressure which is sufficient to overcome substantially all spasm in said vein segment, and which causes the least possible damage to the tissues in the vein segment consistent with the need to overcome spasm and identify leaks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
84 words
7 The apparatus of claim 6, where said source of irrigation fluid includes a syringe having a plunger for dispensing fluid in response to the application of pressure, and said fluid-delivering means includes means for selectively (a) limiting the hydrostatic pressure transmitted to said vein segment by said plunger to a predetermined maximum, and (b) receiving said fluid from said syringe and automatically delivering said fluid to said vein segment at a substantially constant, controlled pressure without the application of pressure to said plunger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
8 The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said fluid-delivering means includes manually-actuated means for generating transient pressures in said vein segment in excess of said predetermined maximum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
90 words
9 The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said manually-actuated means comprises: a stopcock connected to, and in fluid communication with, said syringe; and a resilient, expandable reservoir connected to, and in fluid communication with, said stopcock and said vein segment, such that when said stopcock is open, said reservoir is filled with fluid from said syringe and when said stopcock is then closed, said reservoir delivers said fluid to said vein segment automatically at a substantially constant controlled pressure, and the manual squeezing of said reservoir produces said transient pressures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
10 Apparatus for distention of a harvested vein segment with fluid from a syringe, comprising: valving means connected to, and in fluid communication with, said syringe; a resilient, expandable reservoir connected to, and in fluid communication with, said syringe; a resilient, expandable reservoir connected to, and in fluid communication with, said valving means; and conduit means for delivering said fluid from said reservoir into said vein segment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
10 Apparatus for distention of a harvested vein segment with fluid from a syringe, comprising: valving means connected to, and in fluid communication with, said syringe; a resilient, expandable reservoir connected to, and in fluid communication with, said syringe; a resilient, expandable reservoir connected to, and in fluid communication with, said valving means; and conduit means for delivering said fluid from said reservoir into said vein segment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
11 The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said conduit means comprises: a cannula, detachably connected to said reservoir, and having a bevelled, tapered tip adapted for insertion into said vein segment without significant trauma thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
12 The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said cannula includes means forming a site for substantially atraumatically tying said vein to said cannula to provide a fluid-tight seal therewith.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
13 The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said site-forming means comprises a gently sloped shoulder on said cannula. proximate to the tip of said cannula.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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