Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for forming a vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a vascular valve, said method comprising the steps of, A. providing a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, B. folding a portion of a wall of said tubular conduit means and holding it in apposition with another portion of a wall to form at least two regions, a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end, and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, C. holding a portion of a wall of said first region into contact with a portion of a wall of said second region forming at least a portion of at least one valve cusp, whereby said first region provides passage for antegrade blood flow and said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for forming a vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a vascular valve, said method comprising the steps of, A. providing a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, B. folding a portion of a wall of said tubular conduit means and holding it in apposition with another portion of a wall to form at least two regions, a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end, and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, C. holding a portion of a wall of said first region into contact with a portion of a wall of said second region forming at least a portion of at least one valve cusp, whereby said first region provides passage for antegrade blood flow and said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a mechanism is used in part to deliver attachment means to hold the portions of the walls of said tubular conduit means together, said attachment means being selected from the group consisting of suture, staples, metallic fiber, polymeric fiber, adhesives, biological bonding agents, laser fusion methods, and thermal fusion methods.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the wall of said second region directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said second region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of cutting a portion of said tubular conduit means while forming said vascular valve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular conduit means is an autologous vein segment.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular conduit means is formed in situ from the vessel that requires the vascular valve itself.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said tubular conduit means is formed from a material taken from the group consisting of an autologous tissue that has been formed into a tubular shape, non-autologous biological tissue conduit, a polymeric material, a composite material selected from the group consisting of autologous tissue, non-autologous tissue, polymeric material, polymeric biodegradable tissue, metallic material, and implantable materials.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps, forming at least one transition region with a tapered shape extending from said tubular conduit means to the autologous vessel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said at least one transition region is formed from an autologous vein segment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said tubular conduit means and said at least one transition region are formed in situ from the vessel requiring the valve itself.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a vascular valve, said vascular valve comprising, A. a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, said tubular conduit having a tubular conduit wall that is divided into sectors, B. a portion of said tubular conduit means in a first sector being held in apposition to another portion of said tubular conduit means that is not contained in said first sector forming a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, and forming a portion of a valve cusp, whereby said first region provides passage for antegrade blood flow and said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
162 words
A vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a vascular valve, said vascular valve comprising, A. a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, said tubular conduit having a tubular conduit wall that is divided into sectors, B. a portion of said tubular conduit means in a first sector being held in apposition to another portion of said tubular conduit means that is not contained in said first sector forming a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, and forming a portion of a valve cusp, whereby said first region provides passage for antegrade blood flow and said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a venous valve, said venous valve comprising, A. a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, B. a portion of said tubular conduit means being held in apposition with another portion to form at least two regions, comprising a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end, and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, and forming at least a portion of a valve cusp. whereby said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
130 words
A vascular valve for directing blood flow in an antegrade direction to an autologous vessel that requires a venous valve, said venous valve comprising, A. a tubular conduit means for providing passage for the blood flow from an upstream portion of the autologous vessel to a downstream portion of the autologous vessel, B. a portion of said tubular conduit means being held in apposition with another portion to form at least two regions, comprising a first region having an open inlet end and an open outlet end, and a second region having an open outlet end and closed inlet end, and forming at least a portion of a valve cusp. whereby said valve cusp directs a portion of retrograde blood flow into said open outlet end of said second region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vascular valve of claim 12 wherein said tubular conduit means is an autologous vein segment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The vascular valve of claim 12 wherein said tubular conduit means is formed in situ from the vessel that requires the vascular valve itself.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The vascular valve of claim 12 wherein said tubular conduit means is formed from a material taken from the group consisting of an autologous tissue that has been formed into a tubular shape, non-autologous biological tissue conduit, a polymeric material, a composite material selected from the group consisting of autologous tissue, non-autologous tissue, polymeric material, polymeric biodegradable tissue, metallic material, and implantable materials.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vascular valve of claim 12 wherein said tubular conduit means comprises a cut portion.