Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Implantable prosthesis – Hollow or tubular part or organ
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-09-18
Willse, David H. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Implantable prosthesis
Hollow or tubular part or organ
C623S001150, C604S008000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290728
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for bypassing a blocked blood vessel segment, and, more particularly, to a conduit or stent positioned between the coronary artery or other blocked vessel and a chamber of the heart, such as the left ventricle of the heart, to bypass a blocked segment of the coronary artery or other blood vessel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coronary artery disease is a major problem in the U.S. and throughout the world. Coronary arteries as well as other blood vessels frequently become clogged with plaque, which at the very least impairs the efficiency of the heart's pumping action, and can lead to heart attack and death. In some cases, these arteries can be unblocked through noninvasive techniques such as balloon angioplasty. In more difficult cases, a bypass of the blocked vessel is necessary.
In a bypass operation, one or more venous segments are inserted between the aorta and the coronary artery. The inserted venous segments or transplants act as a bypass of the blocked portion of the coronary artery and thus provide for a free or unobstructed flow of blood to the heart. More than 500,000 bypass procedures are performed in the U.S. every year.
Such coronary artery bypass surgery, however, is a very intrusive procedure that is expensive, time-consuming and traumatic to the patient. The operation requires an incision through the patient's sternum (stemotomy), and that the patient be placed on a bypass pump so that the heart can be operated on while not beating. A vein graft is harvested from the patient's leg, another highly invasive procedure, and a delicate surgical procedure is required to piece the bypass graft to the coronary artery (anastomosis). Hospital stays subsequent to the surgery and convalescence are prolonged.
As mentioned above, another conventional treatment is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) or other types of angioplasty. However, such vascular treatments are not always indicated due to the type or location of the blockage, or due to the risk of emboli.
Thus, there is a need for an improved bypass system which is less traumatic to the patient.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiments of the present invention address the need in the previous technology by providing a bypass system that avoids the sternotomy and other intrusive procedures normally associated with coronary bypass surgery. These embodiments also free the surgeon from the multiple anastomoses necessary in the current process.
The preferred device provides a shunt for diverting blood directly from a chamber in the heart, such as the left ventricle, to the coronary artery, distal to the blockage, therefore bypassing the blocked portion of the vessel. The shunt comprises a stent or conduit adapted to be positioned in the heart wall or myocardium between the left ventricle and the coronary artery that allows for the direct passage of blood therethrough. As used herein, the terms “stent” and “conduit” are interchangeable, and refer to a device that allows for the passage of blood therethrough. The terms “myocardium” and “heart wall” are also used interchangeably. In addition, although the left ventricle is referred to throughout the description, it should be understood that the conduit described herein can be used to provide a passageway for the flow of blood from any heart chamber, not only the left ventricle.
The stent device is delivered either externally or internally through the coronary artery to a position distal to the blockage. At that position, the coronary artery, the myocardium and the wall of the left ventricle are pierced to provide a channel completely through from the coronary artery to the left ventricle of the heart. The stent is then positioned in the channel to provide a permanent passage for blood to flow between the left ventricle of the heart and the coronary artery, distal to the blockage. The stent is sized so that one open end is positioned within the coronary artery, while the other open end is positioned in the left ventricle. The hollow lumen of the stent provides a passage for the flow of blood.
The stent can be self-expandable or expanded by means of a balloon or similar device, and can be provided with various means to anchor it in position within the myocardium, such as expandable legs, hooks, barbs, collars, suture holes and the like. The stent can be formed from a plurality of rings, which can be connected to provide stability. The stent can include a valve in its interior, and can also be used to deliver drugs or other pharmaceutical compounds directly into the myocardium and the coronary circulation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4503568 (1985-03-01), Madras
patent: 4733665 (1988-03-01), Palmaz
patent: 4769029 (1988-09-01), Patel
patent: 4995857 (1991-02-01), Arnold
patent: 5035702 (1991-07-01), Taheri
patent: 5135467 (1992-08-01), Citron
patent: 5258008 (1993-11-01), Wilk
patent: 5287861 (1994-02-01), Wilk
patent: 5330486 (1994-07-01), Wilk
patent: 5344426 (1994-09-01), Lau et al.
patent: 5384541 (1995-01-01), Kirsch et al.
patent: 5409019 (1995-04-01), Wilk
patent: 5423744 (1995-06-01), Samuels
patent: 5429144 (1995-07-01), Wilk
patent: 5443497 (1995-08-01), Venbrux
patent: 5456712 (1995-10-01), Maginot
patent: 5456714 (1995-10-01), Owen
patent: 5470320 (1995-11-01), Tifenbrun et al.
patent: 5527337 (1996-06-01), Stack et al.
patent: 5554119 (1996-09-01), Harrison et al.
patent: 5578075 (1996-11-01), Dayton
patent: 5593434 (1997-01-01), Williams
patent: 5609626 (1997-03-01), Quijano et al.
patent: 5618299 (1997-04-01), Khorsavi et al.
patent: 5655548 (1997-08-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5662124 (1997-09-01), Wilk
patent: 5755682 (1998-05-01), Knudson
patent: 5758663 (1998-06-01), Wilk et al.
patent: 5797933 (1998-08-01), Snow et al.
patent: 5810836 (1998-09-01), Hussein et al.
patent: 5824038 (1998-10-01), Wall
patent: 5824071 (1998-10-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 5830222 (1998-11-01), Makower
patent: 5843163 (1998-12-01), Wall
patent: 5851232 (1998-12-01), Lois
patent: 5855597 (1999-01-01), Javaraman
patent: 5865723 (1999-02-01), Love
patent: 5876419 (1999-03-01), Carpenter et al.
patent: 5878751 (1999-03-01), Hussein et al.
patent: 5908028 (1999-06-01), Wilk
patent: 5908029 (1999-06-01), Knudson et al.
patent: 5935119 (1999-08-01), Guy et al.
patent: 5935161 (1999-08-01), Robinson et al.
patent: 5935162 (1999-08-01), Dang
patent: 5944019 (1999-08-01), Knudson et al.
patent: 5961548 (1999-10-01), Shmulewitz
patent: 5968093 (1999-10-01), Kranz
patent: 5971993 (1999-10-01), Hussein et al.
patent: 5976159 (1999-11-01), Bolduc et al.
patent: 5976169 (1999-11-01), Imran
patent: 5976181 (1999-11-01), Whelan et al.
patent: 5976182 (1999-11-01), Cox
patent: 5976192 (1999-11-01), McIntyre et al.
patent: 5976650 (1999-11-01), Campbell et al.
patent: 5979455 (1999-11-01), Maginot
patent: 5980548 (1999-11-01), Evans et al.
patent: 5980551 (1999-11-01), Summers et al.
patent: 5980552 (1999-11-01), Pinchasik et al.
patent: 5980553 (1999-11-01), Gray et al.
patent: 5980566 (1999-11-01), Alt et al.
patent: 5984955 (1999-11-01), Wisselink
patent: 5984956 (1999-11-01), Tweden et al.
patent: 5984963 (1999-11-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 5984965 (1999-11-01), Knapp et al.
patent: 5989207 (1999-11-01), Hughes
patent: 5989287 (1999-11-01), Yang et al.
patent: 5993481 (1999-11-01), Marcade et al.
patent: 5993482 (1999-11-01), Chuter
patent: 5997563 (1999-12-01), Kretzers
patent: 5997573 (1999-12-01), Quijano et al.
patent: 6001123 (1999-12-01), Lau
patent: 6004261 (1999-12-01), Sinofsky et al.
patent: 6004347 (1999-12-01), McNamara et al.
patent: 6004348 (1999-12-01), Banas et al.
patent: 6007575 (1999-12-01), Samuels
patent: 6007576 (1999-12-01), McClellan
patent: 6010530 (2000-01-01), Goicoechea
patent: 6017365 (2000-01-01), Von Oepen
patent: 6026814 (2000-02-01), LaFontaine et al.
patent: 6029672 (2000-02-01), Vanney et al.
patent: 6035856 (2000-03-01), LaFontaine et al.
patent: 6045565 (2000-04-01), Ellis et al.
patent: 6053911 (2000-04-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 6053924 (2000-04-01), Hussein et al
Furnish Greg R.
Furnish Simon
Griffin Mark
Hall Todd A.
Phelps David Y.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Jackson Suzette J.
Percardia Inc.
Willse David H.
LandOfFree
Designs for left ventricular conduit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Designs for left ventricular conduit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Designs for left ventricular conduit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2535800