APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MAKING FLANGED GRAFT FOR END-TO-SIDE ANASTOMOSIS

摘要

A method (150) and apparatus (100) for forming a flanged polytetrafluoroethylene cuffed section (18, 20) from a tubular polytetrafluoroethylene graft (10). The flanged polytetrafluoroethylene graft (10) is well suited for use as a distal bypass graft, for arterio-venous grafting, or as a hemodialysis access graft. The graft (10) is characterized by an integral terminal polytetrafluoroethylene flanged skirt (56) or cuff (18, 20) section which facilitates an end-to-side anastomosis directly between an artery and the polytetrafluoroethylene flanged graft (10) without need for an intervening venous collar or venous patch.