Deformable conduits and methods for shunting bodily fluid during surgery

摘要

The present invention comprises a tubular shunt for insertion into a fluid vessel in a living creature constructed of an elastically deformable material that reduces in circumference when stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt may be easily inserted into openings in a blood vessel and where the material expands circumferentially when allowed to axially contract such that the ends of shunt press against the vessel wall to secure the shunt and form a water tight seal to permit fluid to flow through the tubular conduit of the shunt. A method for shunting fluid-flow in a portion of a vessel in a living creature is also disclosed wherein a shunt of the present invention is stretched longitudinally so that the ends of the shunt contract and then inserted into a lumen of a blood vessel. Following insertion of the shunt, the shunt is allowed to return to its relaxed geometry so that it forms a fluid tight seal with the interior of the lumen.