US6371981B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vascular graft assemblies and methods for implanting same
Assignee: HILLVIEW PTY Ltd
•
Filing: 1999-11-02
•
Granted: 2002-04-16
•
Expires: 2019-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A graft system is provided that includes either a support ring or a support sleeve that is used in providing transitional support to either an end or a side of a graft or a host vessel. The support ring is provided with a generally cylindrical wall and defining a passageway that is adapted for receiving an end of a vein graft or an end of a host vessel. The support ring has a first end and a second end, with the thickness of the wall being greater at the first end than at the second end. The support sleeve is provided with a first side edge, a second side edge, and an opening. The support sleeve surrounds a side opening of a graft or host vessel so that the opening of the support sleeve is aligned with the side opening of the graft or host vessel. The thickness of the support sleeve is greater at the opening than at the first and second side edges.
Inventors
- 👤 Jun Yang
- 👤 George Guo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B2017/1107; A61B2017/1135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A graft system, comprising: a vein graft having a side opening; and a support sleeve having a thickness, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an opening, the support sleeve surrounding the vein graft so that the opening of the support sleeve is aligned with the side opening of the vein graft, with the thickness of the support sleeve being greater at the opening than at the first and second side edges.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
A graft system, comprising: a vein graft having a side opening; and a support sleeve having a thickness, a first side edge, a second side edge, and an opening, the support sleeve surrounding the vein graft so that the opening of the support sleeve is aligned with the side opening of the vein graft, with the thickness of the support sleeve being greater at the opening than at the first and second side edges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The graft system of claim 1 , wherein the vein graft is a host saphenous vein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graft system of claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the support sleeve gradually decreases from the opening of the support sleeve to the first and second edges thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The graft system of claim 3 , wherein the thickness of the support sleeve gradually decreases in a linear manner from the opening of the support sleeve to the first and second edges thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The graft system of claim 1 , wherein the support sleeve is provided in the form of a sheet having opposing third and fourth edges, and wherein the sheet is wrapped around the vein graft and the third and fourth edges are stitched together.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The graft system of claim 1 , wherein the support sleeve is made of an elastic material having sufficient stiffness so that it will not expand beyond a certain limit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A support sleeve for providing side-to-side transitional support to the side of either a graft or a host vessel that has a side opening, the support sleeve having a thickness and comprising: a first side edge, a second side edge, and an opening, the support sleeve surrounding a side opening of a graft or host vessel so that the opening of the support sleeve is aligned with the side opening of the graft or host vessel, with the thickness of the support sleeve being greater at the opening than at the first and second side edges.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
A support sleeve for providing side-to-side transitional support to the side of either a graft or a host vessel that has a side opening, the support sleeve having a thickness and comprising: a first side edge, a second side edge, and an opening, the support sleeve surrounding a side opening of a graft or host vessel so that the opening of the support sleeve is aligned with the side opening of the graft or host vessel, with the thickness of the support sleeve being greater at the opening than at the first and second side edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The support sleeve of claim 7 , wherein the thickness of the support sleeve gradually decreases from the opening of the support sleeve to the first and second edges thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The support sleeve of claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the support sleeve gradually decreases in a linear manner from the opening of the support sleeve to the first and second edges thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The support sleeve of claim 7 , wherein the support sleeve is provided in the form of a sheet having opposing third and fourth edges that are stitched together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The support sleeve of claim 7 , wherein the support sleeve is made of an elastic material having sufficient stiffness so that it will not expand beyond a certain limit.
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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) | 2005-04-15 | 2005-10-15 | 2006-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | 2010-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-15 | 2013-10-15 | 2014-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |