Minimally invasive method of harvesting epigastric arteries

Abstract

A laparoscopic technique for harvesting the inferior epigastric artery and removing it from the body. The harvested inferior epigastric artery may be used as a bypass graft in a coronary or peripheral bypass operation.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of performing a surgical procedure that uses a harvested section of the inferior epigastric artery comprising the steps of: 
 creating a laparoscopic workspace between the rectus abdominus muscles and the peritoneum of the patient;    installing at least one laparoscopic access port in communication with the workspace;    cutting the inferior epigastric artery from the body with tools inserted through the laparoscopic access port, thereby producing the harvested section of the inferior epigastric artery; and    performing the surgical procedure using the harvested section of the inferior epigastric artery.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing coronary bypass surgery.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing a femoral-popliteal bypass.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing a graft for muscle transfers to rebuild damaged parts of the body.  
     
     
         5 . A method of performing a surgical procedure that uses a harvested section of the inferior epigastric artery comprising the steps of: 
 providing a balloon dissecting device capable of insertion into the body and having a balloon thereon capable of inflation within the body;    creating a laparoscopic workspace between the rectus abdominus muscles and the peritoneum of th epatient by inserting the dissecting balloon device into the extra-peritoneal space and inflating the dissecting balloon to dissect the rectus abdominus muscles away from the peritoneum;    insufflating the workspace with gas;    installing at least one laparoscopic access port in communication with the workspace;    cutting the inferior epigastric artery from the body with tools inserted through the laparoscopic access port; and    performing the surgical procedure using the harvested section of the inferior epigastric artery.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing coronary bypass surgery.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing a femoral-popliteal bypass.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the step of performing the surgical procedure comprises performing a graft for muscle transfers to rebuild damaged parts of the body.