Method and apparatus for effecting a minimally invasive distal anastomosis for an aortic valve bypass

Abstract

A connector for joining a first hollow structure to the side wall of a second hollow structure, the connector comprising:a first component comprising:an inner collar for disposition within the interior of the second hollow structure, the inner collar having a toroidal configuration characterized by an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, with the inner collar being flexible;a hollow body connected to the inner collar and upstanding therefrom, the hollow body of the inner collar being aligned with the inner perimeter of the inner collar; anda graft element mounted to the inner collar and forming a conduit extending through the hollow body and the inner perimeter of the inner collar, the graft being formed out of a fluid-retaining material; anda second component for disposition outside the second hollow structure, the second component comprising an outer collar and a hollow body connected to the outer collar, the outer collar having a toroidal configuration characterized by an outer perimeter and an inner perimeter, with the hollow body of the outer collar being aligned with the inner perimeter of the outer collar;the hollow body of the second component being sized for coaxial disposition over the hollow body of the first component so that the outer collar of the second component can be adjustably positioned relative to the inner collar of the first component and so that the conduit of the graft element provides fluid communication between (i) the region beyond the inner collar, and (ii) the region beyond the hollow body of the first component.

Description

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION[0001]This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 234,075, filed Aug. 14, 2009 by Richard M. Beane et al. for MINIMALLY INVASIVE DISTAL ANASTOMOSIS FOR AORTIC VALVE BYPASS (Attorney's Docket No. CORREX-47 PROV), which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]This invention relates to surgical methods and apparatus in general, and more particularly to surgical methods and apparatus for effecting an aortic valve bypass.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Aortic valve bypass is a proven procedure for relieving critical aortic valve stenosis. This procedure comprises the deployment of a bypass conduit, having a prosthetic valve disposed therein, between the left ventricle and the descending aorta. This approach allows blood to be pumped from the left ventricle into the descending aorta without requiring removal of the dysfunctional nativ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]the hollow body of the second component being sized for coaxial disposition over the hollow body of the first component so that the outer collar of the second component can be adjustably positioned relative to the in

Problems solved by technology

In an aortic valve bypass procedure, the connection of the bypass conduit to the descending aorta is commonly referred to as the “distal anastomosis”, and is currently one of the more difficult and time-consuming elements of an aortic valve bypass procedure.

Aortic valve bypass is not currently a common procedure, at least in part due to the relatively difficult and time-consuming nature of the distal anastomosis.

Furthermore, aortic valve bypass cannot currently be considered to be a minimally invasive procedure, due to the need to provide an anterior lateral thoracotomy of approximately 6 inch length.

However, reducing the size of the thoracotomy with the current procedure is problematic at best, since reduced access to the descending aorta makes cross-clamping and suturing all the more difficult and time-consuming.

Also, when the ribs are spread to create access to the thoracic cavity, the ribs can sometimes fracture, thereby causing additional trauma to the patient.

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