Procedure for bypassing an occlusion in a blood vessel

Abstract

A bypass procedure for connecting a bypass conduit to a blood vessel to channel a flow of blood around an occlusion. The procedure involves attaching a bypass conduit to a portion of the blood vessel at first and second locations. A collar is utilized to suture the graft to blood vessel. A punching device is inserted into one of end of the bypass conduit. The punching device preferably includes a punch and a block. The block is inserted through a cut formed in the blood vessel wall. Concomitant actuation of the block and punch toward one another severs a section of the blood vessel wall to form a channel into the bypass conduit. The present invention also discloses preferred implements for use in the bypass procedure. A cutting device can be utilized to form the cuts in the vessel wall and may be either integral with or separate from the block. In one embodiment, the block is expandable between a collapsed state and an expanded or inflated state. The block is inserted into the lumen of the blood vessel in its collapsed state. An inflating medium is injected into the handle of the block which causes that block to expand to its expanded operative state. In another embodiment, the block is pivotable about a handle to facilitate positioning within the lumen. A guide wire can be utilized in the bypass procedure to guide the implements to the blood vessel wall.