Medical grafting methods and apparatus

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for delivering and installing a new length of tubing between two sections of a patient's existing body organ tubing and at least partly outside of that existing structure. For example, the new length of tubing may be for the purpose of providing the patient with a coronary bypass. The new tubing may be an artificial graft, a natural graft (harvested elsewhere from the patient), or both. The new tubing is delivered to and installed at the operative site primarily by working through the patient's existing tubular body organ structure. This avoids the need for any significant surgery on the patient.

The Invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for radially enlarging a structure used in a medical procedure comprising: 
 a first elongated component having axially spaced proximal and distal portions;    first and second members mounted for radial movement relative to the distal portion of the first component, the first and second members being movable along respective different radii of the first component; and    a second elongated component substantially parallel to the first component, the second component being operatively connected to the first and second members and movable relative to the first component to produce the radial movement of the first and second members.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a selectively inflatable balloon on the distal portion of the first component.  
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 2  wherein the balloon extends annularly around the distal portion of the first component.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second members are pivotally mounted on the distal portion of the first component.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 4  wherein the pivotal axis of each of the first and second members is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first component.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the second component is longitudinally movable relative to the first component to produce the radial movement of the first and second members.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the first and second components are substantially concentric with one another.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  further comprising: 
 first and second links operatively connected between the second component and the first and second members, respectively.  
 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus defined in  claim 8  wherein each of the first and second links is pivotally connected to the second component and to the respective first or second member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein the first component comprises a tubular member.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus defined in  claim 10  wherein the second component is disposed substantially coaxially in the tubular member.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus defined in  claim 11  wherein the second component comprises an elongated wire member.