Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Unilink, Inc.

Rafn Ragnarsson

Hakan A Rohman

Anders Berggren

Floyd L Foslien

The invention pertains to a method for expanding a vessel during a surgical procedure. The method utilizes a device comprising an expandable elastic portion and a flexible pipe portion. The pipe portion is situated at an angle relative to the elastic portion. The method includes the steps of cutting a stab incision in the vessel, inserting the expandable elastic portion into the vessel, and expanding the elastic portion.

Anastomosis preparation technique with easily insertable member

This invention provides a surgical method for minimizing constrictions in a vessel in a joint area at the site of an anastomotic ring placement. The method includes inserting an upper part of a hollow, T-shaped member through an incision in a vessel. The T-shaped member includes a vertical part comprising a pipe or hose and an upper part which is more elastic than the vertical part and consists essentially of an expansible elongated balloon in an unexpanded state. The elongated balloon is an open communication with the hollow vertical part and can be expanded by pressurizing with a pressure medium through the vertical part into the upper part so as to expand the upper part and thereby substantially uniformly deform a portion of the joined area of the vessel. The method also includes depressurizing the upper part by removing the pressure medium and allowing the upper part to return to its unexpanded state and then removing the upper part from the vessel prior to attachment of an anastomotic ring to the vessel.

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Linkoping, Sweden

Rafn Ragnarsson