The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 26, 1997
Bernard H. Andreas, Fremont, CA (US);
Michael Barrett, Campbell, CA (US);
Mark J. Foley, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Brian Gore, Orlando, FL (US);
Lewis Isbell, Union City, CA (US);
Ronald Songer, San Jose, CA (US);
James W. Vetter, Portola Valley, CA (US);
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for suturing a tissue layer having two sides with a suture by releasably retaining at least a portion of the suture in a stationary position on one side of the tissue layer. The portion of the suture is retrieved through the tissue layer from the opposite side whereby the suture is drawn from one side to the opposite side. Devices and methods for suturing the wall of a tubular graft having two sides is also provided using a suture by releasably retaining at least a portion of the suture on one side of the wall. The portion of the length of suture is retrieved through the wall of the graft to the opposite side of the wall. A graft anastomosis assembly provided herein sutures a tubular graft about an aperture in a tissue wall using a suture, a tissue suturing and graft suturing devices. Fastener types other than sutures are useful with the present invention whereby a first fastener portion is releasably retained in a stationary position on one side of a tissue layer while a second fastener portion is driven through the tissue layer from the opposite side and securely engages the two portions together.