Delivery device and system for open surgical repair

Abstract

A device for delivering a prosthesis to a damaged body vessel includes first and second generally elongated members joined to each other along a length thereof. A distal end of each of the elongated members is insertable through an outer layer of skin to access the vessel. The distal ends are cooperatively maneuverable between a closed position for retaining the prosthesis during delivery to the vessel and an open position for releasing the prosthesis upon delivery. Each of the elongated members has a prosthesis retaining member disposed at a distal tip. The retaining members are configured for retaining the prosthesis in a constricted condition when the distal ends are in the closed condition for delivery of the prosthesis to the damaged vessel.

1 . A device for delivering a prosthesis to a damaged body vessel, the prosthesis of a type having a constricted condition for delivery to said damaged body vessel and an expanded condition upon deployment at the damaged vessel, the device comprising:
 first and second generally elongated members joined to each other along a respective length thereof, each of the elongated members having a proximal end accessible to an operator during use of said device, a distal end for insertion through a body opening from an outer layer of skin to access said damaged body vessel, and a pivot point intermediate said proximal and distal end along said length for joinder to the other elongated member, each of said distal ends extending to a distal tip, said elongated members arranged along said pivot point such that said distal ends are cooperatively maneuverable between a closed position for retaining the prosthesis during a delivery to said damaged body vessel and an open position for releasing the prosthesis upon said delivery;   the first elongated member having a first prosthesis retaining member disposed at said first elongated member distal tip, and the second elongated member having a second prosthesis retaining member disposed at said second elongated member distal tip; said first and second prosthesis retaining members configured for retaining said prosthesis therebetween in said constricted condition when said distal ends are in said closed condition for delivery of said prosthesis at said damaged vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , said prosthesis including first and second ends, and a respective sheath at each end for maintaining said end in said constricted condition, wherein a first one of said retaining members includes a wall having a pair of members projecting therefrom in a generally transverse direction, each projecting member including an opening therein for receiving a tab member extending from a respective one of said sheaths. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said first retaining member further includes a ledge member for use in alignment of said prosthesis in said constricted condition. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said second retaining member comprises one or more members maneuverable in conjunction with said first retaining member for aligning said prosthesis in said device in said constricted condition. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein each of said retaining members includes at least one rib, the ribs of the first and second retaining members configured to cooperatively grip said prosthesis therebetween for inhibiting lateral movement of said prosthesis when said elongated member distal ends are arranged in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method for open surgical repair of a damaged portion of a body vessel, comprising:
 positioning a device having a prosthesis assembly loaded therein for delivery to said damaged vessel portion through an open air pathway, the device comprising first and second generally elongated members, each generally elongated member having a proximal end accessible to an operator, a distal end for insertion to said damaged vessel portion, and being joined to the other elongated member along a length thereof, each of the distal ends extending to a distal tip; said first elongated member having a first prosthesis retaining member disposed at said first elongated member distal tip, and said second elongated member having a second prosthesis retaining member disposed at said second elongated member distal tip, said elongated members arranged such that said distal ends are cooperatively maneuverable between a closed position having said prosthesis assembly loaded therein, and an open position; the prosthesis assembly comprising a prosthesis having first and second ends, and respective first and second sheaths configured for maintaining said first and second prosthesis ends in a constricted condition, each of said first and second sheaths including a tab member for selectively splitting said sheath;   passing said distal ends of said device through said open air pathway to said damaged vessel portion with said distal ends in said closed position;   maneuvering said distal ends such that said first sheath and said first constricted prosthesis end are inserted into a first side of said damaged vessel portion;   maneuvering said distal ends such that said second sheath and said second constricted prosthesis end are inserted into a second side of said damaged vessel portion;   pulling said first sheath tab member for splitting said first sheath, wherein said first prosthesis end expands to engage an inner surface of said first side of said damaged vessel portion; and   pulling said second sheath tab member for splitting said second sheath, wherein said second prosthesis end expands to engage an inner surface of said second side of said damaged vessel portion.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 removing said tab members and said first and second sheaths from the body vessel; and   removing said distal ends of the device from said pathway.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each of said prosthesis ends includes one or more anchoring members, said anchoring members being positioned along said prosthesis ends such that said anchoring members engage said respective inner surfaces of said first and second sides of said damaged vessel portion upon said expansion of said prosthesis ends. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , each of said first and second sheaths including a second tab member, further comprising:
 removing a first portion of each of said first and second split sheaths by withdrawing said tab member from the body vessel; and   removing a second portion of each of said first and second split sheaths by withdrawing said second tab member from the body vessel.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , said first prosthesis retaining member comprising a pair of members projecting therefrom, one of said projecting members including an opening therein receiving an end of the tab member of the first sheath, and the other projecting member including an opening therein receiving an end of the tab member of the second sheath, and wherein said first sheath tab member end is pulled for splitting said first sheath, and said second sheath tab member end is pulled for splitting said second sheath.