Catheter apparatus having an improved shape-memory alloy cuff and inflatable on-demand balloon for creating a bypass graft in vivo

摘要

The present invention provides a catheter apparatus (1), an improved introducer system (80), a methodology for creating a bypass on-demand between an unobstructed blood vessel such as the aorta, an obstructed blood vessel, and an obstructed coronary artery in vivo using a prepared shape-memory alloy cuff (300), and a graft segment (460) in tandem as a shunt. The apparatus (1) allows the placement, and creation of single or multiple bypass grafts without use of a heart/lung machine, and without need for stopping the heart of the patient during the coronary artery bypass surgery.