Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure, comprising the steps of: making an arteriotomy in a sidewall of a blood vessel at a first area to create a communicating aperture between a first location inside of the blood vessel and a second location outside of the blood vessel, wherein the arteriotomy making step is performed while the first area is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; advancing the end portion of the graft to the first area, wherein the advancing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; and forming an anastomosis between the end portion of the graft and the blood vessel at the first area, wherein the anastomosis forming step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, wherein the anastomosis forming step includes the step of securing the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area with an expandable stent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure, comprising the steps of: making an arteriotomy in a sidewall of a blood vessel at a first area to create a communicating aperture between a first location inside of the blood vessel and a second location outside of the blood vessel, wherein the arteriotomy making step is performed while the first area is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; advancing the end portion of the graft to the first area, wherein the advancing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; and forming an anastomosis between the end portion of the graft and the blood vessel at the first area, wherein the anastomosis forming step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, wherein the anastomosis forming step includes the step of securing the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area with an expandable stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of making an incision in the body at a second area, wherein the anastomosis forming step further includes the step of advancing the expandable stent through the incision to the first area.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure, comprising the steps of: creating an opening in a sidewall of a blood vessel at a first area to form a communicating aperture between a first location inside of the blood vessel and a second location outside of the blood vessel, wherein the arteriotomy making step is performed while the first area is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; advancing the end portion of the graft to the first area, wherein the advancing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; and securing the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area, wherein the securing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, wherein the securing step includes the step of attaching the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area with an expandable stent.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
186 words
A method for implanting an end portion of a graft within the body of a patient during a bypass grafting procedure, comprising the steps of: creating an opening in a sidewall of a blood vessel at a first area to form a communicating aperture between a first location inside of the blood vessel and a second location outside of the blood vessel, wherein the arteriotomy making step is performed while the first area is covered by a substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; advancing the end portion of the graft to the first area, wherein the advancing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body; and securing the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area, wherein the securing step is performed while the first area is covered by the substantially intact portion of the epidermis of the body, wherein the securing step includes the step of attaching the end portion of the graft to the blood vessel at the first area with an expandable stent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of making an incision in the body at a second area, wherein the securing step further includes the step of advancing the expandable stent through the incision to the first area.