TUNNELING DEVICE FOR USE WITH A GRAFT

摘要

A tunneling device (200) is provided for implanting a natural tissue vascular graft (40) in a body. The tunneling device (200) may include a flexible sheath (230) to assist in locating the vascular graft (40) in the body. According to one example, a connector (250) having a longitudinal coupler, such as a surgical tie (270), may be used to locate the natural tissue graft (40) within the sheath (230). The natural graft (40) can be secured to the surgical tie (270) when the sheath (230) is retracted. Before tunneling, the sheath (230) can be extended to cover the natural tissue graft (40) to protect the natural tissue graft (40) from damage and aid in locating the natural tissue graft (40) in the body. When the natural tissue graft (40) is positioned as desired in the body, the sheath (230) is removed.