Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
An arterial bypass tool, comprising: a tubular sheath having first and second ends; a rod slidably received through said sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a tapering radiused tip exteriorly adjacent said first end of said sheath; and a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned for passage through said sheath, said tab possessing a trailing end provided with at least one aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
An arterial bypass tool, comprising: a tubular sheath having first and second ends; a rod slidably received through said sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a tapering radiused tip exteriorly adjacent said first end of said sheath; and a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned for passage through said sheath, said tab possessing a trailing end provided with at least one aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath is arcuate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said tab is generally rectangular and possesses a forward end which tapers in width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein a forward end of said tab is received in a slot formed in a second end of said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said tapering radiused tip possesses a rearwardly directed reduced diameter cylindrical shank dimensioned for insertion into said sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 5, wherein said shank forms an annular ledge dimensioned for abutment with an end face of said sheath.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 5, wherein said shank possesses a central bore dimensioned for insertion of said first end of said rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath, said rod, said tab and said radiused tip each comprise a stainless steel material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath, said rod, said tab and said radiused tip each comprise a disposable plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath possesses a radius curvature of about 29 inches and a length of about 24 inches.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath possesses a radius curvature of about 9 inches and a length of about 10 inches.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 1, wherein said sheath possesses a diameter in the range of about 0.25 to 0.50 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
An arterial bypass tool, comprising: a tubular sheath having first and second ends; a rod slidably received through said sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a tapering radiused tip exteriorly adjacent said first end of said sheath, said tapering radiused tip possessing a rearwardly directed reduced diameter substantially cylindrical shank dimensioned for insertion into said sheath; and a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned for passage through said sheath.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
An arterial bypass tool, comprising: a tubular sheath having first and second ends; a rod slidably received through said sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a tapering radiused tip exteriorly adjacent said first end of said sheath, said tapering radiused tip possessing a rearwardly directed reduced diameter substantially cylindrical shank dimensioned for insertion into said sheath; and a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned for passage through said sheath.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said shank forms an annular ledge dimensioned for abutment with an end face of said sheath.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said shank possesses a central bore dimensioned for insertion of said first end of said rod.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said sheath, said rod, said tab and said radiused tip each comprise a stainless steel material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said sheath, said rod, said tab and said radiused tip each comprise a disposable plastic material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said sheath is arcuate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arterial bypass tool of claim 13, wherein said tab is generally rectangular and has a forward end which tapers in width.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of performing an arterial bypass operation, comprising the steps of: providing: a tubular sheath; a rod extending through said tubular sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a radiused tip exteriorly adjacent a first end of said sheath; a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned; at least one aperture formed through a free end of said tab; forming an entrance incision in a patient adjacent a first end of an occluded artery; inserting said radiused tip end through said entrance incision; inserting said sheath through said entrance incision along an exterior of the occluded artery; forming an exit incision adjacent a second end of the occluded artery; passing said radiused tip and first end of said sheath through said exit incision; securing a bypass artery to said tab; pulling said rod through said sheath to dispose said bypass artery within said sheath; detaching said bypass artery from said tab; and removing said sheath while restraining said bypass artery, whereby said bypass artery lies along said occluded artery.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
176 words
A method of performing an arterial bypass operation, comprising the steps of: providing: a tubular sheath; a rod extending through said tubular sheath; a first end of said rod terminating in a radiused tip exteriorly adjacent a first end of said sheath; a second end of said rod terminating in an enlarged tab dimensioned; at least one aperture formed through a free end of said tab; forming an entrance incision in a patient adjacent a first end of an occluded artery; inserting said radiused tip end through said entrance incision; inserting said sheath through said entrance incision along an exterior of the occluded artery; forming an exit incision adjacent a second end of the occluded artery; passing said radiused tip and first end of said sheath through said exit incision; securing a bypass artery to said tab; pulling said rod through said sheath to dispose said bypass artery within said sheath; detaching said bypass artery from said tab; and removing said sheath while restraining said bypass artery, whereby said bypass artery lies along said occluded artery.