EP0558352A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus for connecting and closing severed blood vessels
Assignee: Shadyside Hospital
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Filing: 1993-02-26
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A fastener for closing or connecting blood vessels (21,22) has a plurality of miniature barbs (10,37) which pierce the wall (20,26) of the blood vessel (21,22) and anchor the fastener in place. In one embodiment the fastener is comprised of a male member (2) and a female member (4) which are fastened to blood vessel segments with the miniature barbs (10). The male (2) and female (4) members are joined together by inserting the male member (2) into the female member (4) to form a permanent coupling. In another embodiment the fastener is comprised of a ring (36) with miniature barbs (37) on both surfaces; that is used between the splayed ends of a severed blood vessel (21,22). The device can also be used for opening a blood vessel (51) which has been narrowed by disease or trauma.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark H. Wholey
- 👤 William E. Novogradac
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 08:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/064; A61B2017/1107; A61F2/82; A61F2/848
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A fastener for reconnecting a severed blood vessel or for closing a partially severed blood vessel (21,22), the fastener comprising: a. a female member (4) adapted to conform to an inner wall (20) of the blood vessel (21,22), the female member (4) having an outer surface (5) and an inner surface; b. a male member (2) adapted to conform to an inner wall (20) of the blood vessel (21,22), the male memebr (2) having a first outer surface portion (9) sized and positioned to engage the inner surface of the female member (4) and also having a second outer surface portion (6); c. a plurality of barbs (10) sized to pierce and anchor in the wall (20) of the blood vessel wall (21,22) the barbs (10) being attached to and extending from the outer surface (5) of the female member (4) and being attached to and extending from the second outer surface portion (6) of the male member (2); d. a first fastening means (16) attached to the inner surface of the female member (4); and e. a second fastening means (18,19) attached to the first outer surface portion of the male member (2), the first and second fastening means (16,18) being sized and configured to engage one another to lock the male member (2) to the female member (4).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
49 words
A fastener according to claim 1 wherein the first fastening means (16) comprises a plurality of hemispherical projections (16) and the second fastening means (18,19) comprises a plurality of projections having a stem (19) and pod (18), each pod (18) being sized to fit within a hemispherical projection (16).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A fastener according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the male member (2) and the female member (4) are formed from a flexible material whereby they can be rolled into a diameter smaller than that of the blood vessel (21,22) inserted into the blood vessel (21,22) and unrolled to engage the inner wall (20) of the blood vessel (21,22).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fastener according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the male member (2) and the female member (4) are compressible to a diameter smaller than that of the blood vessel (21,22) whereby they can be inserted into the blood vessel (21,22) in a compressed condition and there allowed to expand and anchor the male member (2) and the female member (4) to the inner wall (20) of the blood vessel (21,22).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
A fastener for reconnecting a severed blood vessel, the fastener comprising a ring (36) sized and adapted to conform to splayed ends of a severed blood vessel (21,22) which ring (36) is provided on each of its opposed outer surfaces with a plurality of barbs (37) attached to and extending from the said outer surfaces, the barbs (37) being sized and configured to pierce and anchor in the wall of the blood vessel (21,22).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
A fastener for reconnecting a severed blood vessel or for closing a partially severed blood vessel (21,22), the fastener comprising a sheet (30) provided on one of its surfaces (32) with a plurality of barbs (10) attached to and extending from the said surface (32), the sheet (30) being formed from a flexible material whereby it can be rolled into a diameter smaller than that of the blood vessel (21,22), inserted into the blood vessel (21,22) and unrolled to enagage the inner wall (20) of the blood vessel (21,22) with the barbs (10) piercing and anchoring in the said inner wall (20).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
A fastener for reconnecting a severed blood vessel or for closing a partially severed blood vessel (21,22), the fastener comprising a sheet (30) provided on one of its surfaces (32) with a plurality of barbs (10) attached to and extending from the said surface (32), the sheet (30) being formed from a flexible material whereby it can be wrapped around the outside of the blood vessel (21,22) with the barbs piercing and anchoring in the outer wall (26) of the blood vessel (21,22).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the barbs (10,37) extend 50 µm to 100 µm from the outer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A fastener according to any preceding claim wherein the barbs (10,37) contain a passageway (46) through which a fluid may flow from a reservoir.
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