Autologous Growth Factors to Promote Tissue In-Growth in Vascular Device

Abstract

Methods and devices for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed is coating of autologous growth factor compositions onto stent grafts prior to stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include stent grafts having autologous growth factor composition coatings useful for treating aneurysms.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 977,545, filed Oct. 28, 2004, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] Methods and devices for preventing vascular device migration using autologous growth factor composition-coated vascular devices are disclosed. Specifically, methods for producing autologous growth factor compositions and coating vascular devices with the compositions before device implantation are provided. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A variety of implantable vascular devices, including stent grafts and stents, have been developed to treat abnormalities of the vascular system. Stent grafts are used to treat aneurysms of the vascular system and have also emerged as a new treatment for a related condition, acute blunt aortic injury, where trauma causes damage to an artery. Stents are used to treat areas of vessel narrowing or atherosclerosis. [0004] Aneu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a method for reducing the risk of stent graft migration and endoleaks by delivering autologous growth factor compositions to the treatment site as a coating on the stent graft. The growth factors stimulate the growth of endothelial cells, which form a layer of protection around the stent graft and the vessel wall. This helps to prevent the stent graft from migrating or causing endoleaks. The method involves obtaining autologous platelet rich plasma from the patient, activating it, and coating the stent graft with the activated plasma. The growth factors can also be combined with other substances such as small molecules, peptides, proteins, or cells to further enhance the effect. The patent also describes a delivery catheter for delivering the stent graft to the treatment site. Overall, this method improves the healing process and promotes the growth of a healthy vessel wall.

Problems solved by technology

These thinned and weakened sections of vessel walls can burst, causing an estimated 32,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Additionally, aneurysm deaths are suspected of being underreported because sudden unexplained deaths, about 450,000 in the United States alone, are often simply misdiagnosed as heart attacks or strokes while many of them may be due to aneurysms.

Additionally, patients whose multiple medical comorbidities make them excessively high risk for conventional aneurysm repair are candidates for stent grafting.

While stent grafts and stents (hereinafter collectively referred to as “vascular devices”) represent improvements over previously-used vessel treatment techniques, there are still risks associated with them.

The most common of these risks is migration of the vascular device due to hemodynamic forces within the vessel.

Stent migration can leave a treated area of a vessel more susceptible to reclosure.

Additionally, the asymmetrical hemodynamic forces can cause remodeling of an aneurysm sac which leads to increased risk of aneurysm rupture and increased endoleaks.

The magnetic fields used in this imaging process, when moving across the body, may cause insufficiently fixated metal-containing stents to migrate.

This natural endothelialization is not complete or consistent, however, and therefore does not in some cases prevent the stent graft migration and endoleak.

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