Bypass Configuration and Method of Construction

Abstract

A method for constructing a vascular connector configured to bypass an occluded vessel which comprises a primary graft stem and a venous outflow stem. In general, the primary graft stem accepts a blood flow from an occluded vessel to bypass the occlusion. The venous outflow stem may extend from a wall of the primary graft stem and divert a portion of the blood flow to a native vein or other vessel of the vascular system. This configuration is beneficial in ensuring adequate blood flow at the vascular connector to inhibit the formation of clots and to extend the patency of the vascular connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vascular connector comprising:
 a primary graft stem fabricated from a substantially hollow member, the primary graft stem having a first end and a second end to allow blood flow from a first blood vessel into the first end, through the primary graft stem and out the second end; and   a venous outflow stem fabricated from a substantially hollow member, the venous outflow stem connected to and extending outward from an opening in the primary graft stem to create a fluid passage from the substantially hollow primary graft stem into the substantially hollow venous outflow stem which is capable of diverting a portion of the blood flow from the primary graft stem through the venous outflow step to a second blood vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The vascular connector of  claim 1  wherein an end of the primary graft stem is tapered. 
     
     
         3 . The vascular connector of  claim 1  wherein the venous outflow stem is integrally formed with the vascular bypass graft. 
     
     
         4 . The vascular connector of  claim 1  further comprising one or more ridges at one or both ends of the primary graft stem. 
     
     
         5 . The vascular connector of  claim 1  further comprising one or more angled ridges at an outflow end of the venous outflow stem. 
     
     
         6 . The vascular connector of  claim 1  wherein the vascular connector is lined with native vein, allograft, zenograft, bioengineered or drug elution materials. 
     
     
         7 . The vascular connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a synthetic lumen configured to attached to the vascular connector wherein synthetic lumen is capable of being cut to a desired length during a medical procedure installing the vascular connector. 
     
     
         8 . A vascular connector comprising:
 a primary stem fabricated from a substantially hollow structure and having a first end and a second end, the primary stem configured to accept a blood flow from a narrowed vessel at the first end to bypass the narrowed vessel and output at least a first portion of the blood flow out the second end; and   a secondary stem fabricated from a substantially hollow structure having a narrower diameter than the primary stem, the secondary stem extending from a wall of the primary stem to create a fluid path from the primary stem to the secondary stem, the secondary stem further having an outflow end configured to connect to a second vessel to thereby divert a second portion of the blood flow into the primary stem to the second vessel.   
     
     
         9 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  wherein at least one end of the primary stem is tapered. 
     
     
         10 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  wherein the secondary stem is integrally formed with the primary stem. 
     
     
         11 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  further comprising one or more ridges at one or both ends of the primary stem. 
     
     
         12 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  further comprising one or more ridges at an outflow end of the secondary stem. 
     
     
         13 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  further comprising a tubular venous outflow limb connected to an outflow end of the secondary stem. 
     
     
         14 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  wherein the secondary stem extends from a central portion of the primary stem; 
     
     
         15 . The vascular connector of  claim 8  wherein the secondary stem extends from a wall of the primary stem at one end of the primary stem. 
     
     
         16 . A method of bypassing blood flow through a vessel having an occlusion comprising:
 providing a vascular connector having a primary stem and a secondary stem, that is smaller in diameter than the primary stem, extending from an opening in a wall of the primary stem;   connecting a first end of the primary stem to a first end of a first native vessel or first end of a first synthetic vessel, the connection being made upstream of the occlusion in the vessel;   connecting a second end of the first native vessel or a second end of the first synthetic vessel to a vascular system;   connecting a second end of the primary stem to the vascular system, the connection being made downstream of the occlusion in the vessel; and   connecting an outflow end of the secondary stem to a first end of a second native vessel or a first end of second synthetic vessel;   connecting a second end of the second native vessel or a second end of the second synthetic vessel to the vascular system.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein connecting comprises stitching, clamping, or friction fitting. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein connecting the first end of the primary stem to the first end of a first native vessel or the first end of the first synthetic vessel comprises inserting a ridged first end of the primary stem into an end of the first end of a first native vessel or the first end of the first synthetic vessel. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the vascular connector comprises providing a vascular connector with a tapered second end. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising cutting the first native vessel or the first synthetic vessel and the second native vessel or the first synthetic vessel to length to fit between the vascular connector and the vascular system.