Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

In a method for performing a vascular repair operation a tubular endovascular prosthesis member made of a nontoxic biocompatible material is inserted in a collapsed configuration into a blood vessel through an incision therein. Upon insertion, the tubular prosthesis member is expanded to a cylindrical configuration and attached along its upstream and downstream edges to the vessel wall. Where the attachment is implemented via a laser, an optical fiber is inserted into the blood vessel via an angioscopic instrument having a balloon with a mouth attached about a distal end of the angioscopic insertion member so that a distal tip of the insertion member is disposed inside the balloon. The balloon is made of a material transparent to optical radiation, as well as to the wavelength of the laser beam, whereby visualization of the arterial or venous wall and the bonding of the tubular prosthesis member thereto may be implemented through the balloon. The balloon is effective to displace blood from the distal end of the endoscopic insertion member to form a transparent pocket or space, thereby enabling visual inspection of a blood vessel into which the endoscopic instrument has been inserted. Endovascular inspection may alternatively be accomplished by a combined ultrasonic and optical angioscopic instrument.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim