Eversion apparatus and methods

Abstract

Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient comprises an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit harvested from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit end portion over itself when moved proximally away from the end of the conduit and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto. A method of everting a graft comprises positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom; introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from said support device; and moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.

1 . Surgical eversion apparatus for preparing a conduit for anastomosis in a human patient, said eversion apparatus comprising an everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into an end portion of a conduit from a human patient and configured to fold a portion of the conduit over itself when it is moved away for the conduit end and along the conduit while a portion of the conduit is held fixed relative thereto.  
     
     
         2 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said everting apparatus includes a handle and said everting member is coupled to said handle.  
     
     
         3 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, said two ends being movable relative to said handle and portions of said flexible member being slidably mounted to said handle.  
     
     
         4 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, one of said ends being movable relative to said handle, the other one of said two ends being fixedly secured to said handle.  
     
     
         5 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, both of said ends being fixedly attached to said handle.  
     
     
         6 . The eversion apparatus of any one of claims  3 - 5  wherein said flexible member comprises a pliable wire.  
     
     
         7 . The eversion apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said loop shaped portion has an adjustable diameter.  
     
     
         8 . A vessel eversion system for preparing a vessel for anastomosis in a human patient, said vessel eversion system comprising: a vessel support device having a proximal end and a distal end; and everting apparatus comprising an everting member, said everting member having a loop shaped portion adapted to be inserted into a portion of a vessel to be prepared for an anastomosis in a human patient and evert the portion of the vessel over said vessel support device when said vessel is coupled to said support device with an end portion thereof extending from said distal end of said support device.  
     
     
         9 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 8  wherein said everting apparatus includes a handle and said everting member is coupled to said handle.  
     
     
         10 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, said two ends being movable relative to said handle and portions of said flexible member being slidably mounted to said handle.  
     
     
         11 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, one of said ends being movable relative to said handle, the other one of said two ends being fixedly secured to said handle.  
     
     
         12 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 9  wherein said everting member comprises a flexible member having two ends, both of said ends being fixedly attached to said handle.  
     
     
         13 . The vessel eversion system of any one of claims  10 - 12  wherein said flexible member comprises a pliable wire.  
     
     
         14 . The vessel eversion system of  claim 8  wherein said loop shaped portion has an adjustable diameter.  
     
     
         15 . A method of everting a graft comprising: 
 positioning a graft in a support device such that an end portion of the graft extends therefrom;    introducing a generally looped shaped member into the end portion of the graft extending from said support device; and    moving the looped shaped member over the support device to fold at least a portion of the end portion of the graft over the support device.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  including adjusting the generally looped shaped member to have a diameter less than the diameter of the graft end through which it is introduced before introduction therein.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  including adjusting the generally looped shaped member after it is introduced through the graft end to have a diameter greater than the graft end through which it is introduced.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15  including adjusting the generally looped shaped member to have a diameter greater than the graft end into which it is inserted.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  including radially expanding the graft portion.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein positioning the graft comprises positioning a tubular vascular graft in a support device.