109 results about "Endovascular prosthesis" patented technology

An introducer for an expandable endovascular prosthesis having a self a self-expanding stent includes a proximal prosthesis positioning mechanism that has a retention device to retain the self-expanding stent and a control member to selectively release the retention device from the prosthesis. The retention device includes an opening forming a tapered cavity. The control member includes a plurality of loops coupled to the prosthesis and a trigger wire. The trigger wire passes through a first aperture of the retention device, through the plurality of loops, and through and a second aperture of the retention device to retain the loops.

An intravascular cuff acts as a lining between a native vessel and an intravascular prosthetic device. During deployment, the ends of the cuff curl back upon themselves and are capable of trapping native tissue, such as valve leaflet tissue, between the ends. The cuff creates a seal between the vessel and the prosthetic, thereby preventing leakage around the prosthetic. The cuff also traps any embolic material dislodged from the vessel during expansion of the prosthetic.

An introducer (1) adapted for the introduction of a self-expanding endovascular prosthesis (20) in a lumen of a patient. The introducer has attachment devices (10,30) to hold each end of the prosthesis so that each can be moved independently. An end ovascular prosthesis (20) is also claimed with stents at the proximal and distal ends being within the graft. The remainder of the stents are positioned on the outside of the graft body.

An endovascular prosthesis comprising a first end section, a second end section and a midsection. The midsection has a diameter less than the diameter of the first end section and the second end section. At least the first end section and the second end section have lateral support preferably in the form of a stent which may also act as anchoring. The reduced diameter midsection is provided with at least one side port which is adapted to be connected to a branch endograft to provide a connection between the side port and the native branch artery. The side ports are arranged to correspond with the native branch arteries and are provided with radiographic markers at their proximal and distal ends. The side ports with the radiographic markers provide an effective means of making the connection to the native branch by a branch endograft without having to align the side ports exactly to the branch arteries and without kinking of the side ports.

A method for increasing the rate of thrombus formation and / or proliferative cell growth of a selected region (21) of cellular tissue (22) including the step of endovascularly irradiating the selected region (21) with radiation, having a dose range of endovascular radiation of about 1 Gy to about 600 Gy at a low dose rate of about 1 cGy / hr to about 320 cGy / hr, to increase thrombus formation and / or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (21). Preferably, the delivery means includes a deformable endovascular prosthesis (25) adapted for secured positioning adjacent to the selected region (21) of cellular tissue (22), and a radioactive source. This source cooperates with the deformable endovascular device (25) in a manner endovascularly irradiating the selected region with radiation, having the above-indicated dose range and low dose rate of endovascular radiation to increase thrombus formation and / or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (21).

An endovascular surgical device is disclosed for attaching an endovascular prosthesis to a vascular wall. The device includes a tubular member and an applicator device. The tubular member has longitudinal bands separated by slots that are configured to expand upon being placed in compression. The applicator device has a distal end with a rotary head for applying sutures. A portion of the suture is at least partially positioned in the rotary head. A method is described that includes positioning a prosthesis and an endovascular device within a portion of vascular wall that requires reinforcing or repairing. The tubular part is expanded, forcing the prosthesis and vascular wall to expand. The applicator device applies the suture to attach the prosthesis to the vascular wall. Additional sutures can be applied by removing the applicator device, attaching a second suture and repositioning the applicator device to attach a second suture.

Disclosed are methods for treating endoleaks arising from endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The disclosed methods involve the in situ sealing of endoleaks after placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Sealing of endoleaks is achieved by injection of either a biocompatible polymer or prepolymer fluid composition into the endoleak which composition in situ solidifies to seal the leak. Preferably, the biocompatible fluid composition comprises a contrast agent to allow the clinician to visualize the sealing process.

An endovascular delivery system for an endovascular prosthesis includes a radiopaque marker system for accurate delivery of the prosthesis. The radiopaque marker system is disposed within a prosthesis or stent holder within the delivery system. The radiopaque marker system includes a plurality of radiopaque markers that provide different views rotation of the prosthesis or stent holder.

The invention provides systems and methods for obtaining position sensor space data regarding an endovascular prosthesis within an anatomical region of a patient, wherein at least one position indicating element is movable within an endovascular prosthesis is tracked by a tracking system. A guidance portion of the endovascular prosthesis constrains movement of position indicating elements within the endovascular prosthesis.

An endoluminal prosthesis for treating a diseased portion of the ascending aorta includes a tubular graft material having an outer surface and an inner surface and a support structure coupled to the graft material. An anchoring device is coupled to the proximal end of the support structure to engage the sinotubular junction or the sinuses adjacent the sinotubular junction. The anchoring device may be a stent ring with barbs on an outer surface to engage the sinotubular junction, a plurality of anchors extending into the sinuses including hooks to engage the sinuses, a plurality of bent stents with distally facing shoulders extending into the sinuses and engaging a distal edge of the sinuses, or a series of progressively larger diameter stent rings extending into the sinuses to engage the distal edge of the sinuses.

An expandable endovascular prosthesis comprising: body having a proximal end and a distal end; a first expandable portion disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular first expandable portion being expandable from a first, unexpanded state to a second, expanded state with a radially outward force thereon to urge the first expandable portion against a vascular lumen; and a second expandable portion attached to the first tubular expandable portion; the second expandable portion being expandable upon expansion of the tubular first expandable portion. The endovascular prosthesis is particularly useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. Thus, the first expandable portion serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target vascular lumen or body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and, upon expansion of the first expandable portion, the second expandable portion expands to block the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

An endoluminal prosthesis is provided with an improved fixation system for coupling the endoluminal prosthesis to an inner wall of a lumen and to reduce distal migration. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a laterally protruding member atraumatically engages the ostium of a side or branch vessel. The protruding member may be fixed to a portion of a prosthesis. In one embodiment the protruding member is provided on a modular fixation device for initial fixation within the body lumen with the finger member within the side or branch vessel. A primary endoluminal prosthesis is then fixed to the modular fixation device to bypass a diseased portion of the anatomy.

The present invention relates to an endovascular prosthesis. The endovascular prosthesis comprises a first expandable portion expandable from a first, unexpanded state to a second, expanded state to urge the first expandable portion against a vascular lumen and a retractable leaf portion attached to the first expandable portion. The retractable leaf portion comprises at least one spine portion and a plurality of rib portions attached to the spine portion. In one preferred embodiment of the present endovascular prosthesis, the retractable leaf portion is configured such that a pair of ribs attached on opposite sides of a longitudinally straightened configuration of the spine portion in a plane of view normal to a central axis of the prosthesis defines a shape, in two dimensions, that is substantially non-circular. In another preferred embodiment of the present endovascular prosthesis, the retractable leaf portion is configured such that a pair of ribs attached on opposite sides of a longitudinally straightened configuration of the spine portion in a plane of view normal to a central axis of the prosthesis defines a shape, in two dimensions, through which one straight line can be translated from one side to the other side of the shape so as to traverse the shape only once at every point along the shape. The rib portions of the present endovascular prosthesis can be designed so as to provide an improved rotational range of proper placement of the prosthesis with respect to the opening of the aneurysm. In a preferred embodiment, the rotational range may be as much as 45° or more. There is also described a method for delivering an endovascular prosthesis to a bifurcated artery which can be accomplished using a single guidewire and a single delivery device.

A bifurcated stent graft for animal or human implantation and method of delivery thereof. The device stent graft employs a first component having an axial passage communicating with the axial cavities of a second leg and longer first leg. A separate leg extension is engageable to the second leg. A first catheter engages the first component for translation to the implantation site and a second catheter engaged with the first is provided with a prepositioned guide wire inside the second leg which may be employed to easily position a guide wire for engagement of the second leg with the leg extension.

An intravascular prosthetic graft is provided which includes a flexible tubular body having a first end defining at least one opening and a second end defining at least one opening. The flexible tubular body may be elongated and define a longitudinal axis. A first ring member is connected to the first end adjacent to the at least one opening of the first end. A second ring member is connected to the second end adjacent to the at least one opening of the second end. The flexible tubular body can be fabricated from a flexible material, such as, for example, DACRON(R), TEFLON(R), or other suitable material. The first and second ring members may be fabricated from a rigid material, such as metals or polymerics. A method of repairing at least a portion of an arterial system, such as, for example, treatment of an aortic aneurysm is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing an intravascular prosthetic graft; determining a placement position for the intravascular prosthetic graft at an aneurysm site of the arterial system; introducing the intravascular prosthetic graft to the arterial system; delivering the intravascular prosthetic graft to the aneurysm site; positioning the intravascular prosthetic graft for repairing a diseased portion of an aorta at the placement position; expanding the intravascular prosthetic graft to substantially conform to an inner surface of the aorta; and fixing the intravascular prosthetic graft at the placement position. The step of fixing may include tying a suture about the exterior of the aorta. The method may further include the step of suturing the aorta to the intravascular prosthetic graft from exterior to the aorta.

The prostheses include an endovascular member in need of repair and a patch therefore, as well as prostheses including two or more endovascular members, such as stent-grafts, which may be assembled in situ. Components of the prostheses are held together in substantially fluid tight engagement as the result of hook and loop structures which are present on the members. The hooks engage the loops to secure the components to one another. As a result, the present invention is particularly useful for the in situ repair of damaged prostheses and for the in situ assembly of bifurcated endovascular prostheses, particularly for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

A circumferentially constraining suture for an endovascular prosthesis having a tubular body and a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body includes a first thread coupled at a first end to one of the stents and a first thread loop disposed opposite the first end. The first thread extends only partially around a circumference of the tubular body in a radially expanded configuration. A second thread having a second thread loop is interlocked with the first thread loop and extends from the first thread loop around a remainder of the circumference of the tubular body. Pulling the second thread causes the first thread to circumferentially constrain the tubular body to a reduced diameter configuration. A trigger wire inserted through the first thread loop retains the first thread such that the tubular body is in the reduced diameter configuration after removal of the second thread.

Disclosed are methods for treating endoleaks arising from endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The disclosed methods involve the in situ sealing of endoleaks after placement of an endovascular prostheses in the abdominal aorta. Sealing of endoleaks is achieved by injection of either a biocompatible polymer or prepolymer fluid composition into the endoleak which composition in situ solidifies to seal the leak. Preferably, the biocompatible fluid composition comprises a contrast agent to allow the clinician to visualize the sealing process.

A endovascular prosthesis for implantation in a body passageway. The prosthesis comprises a tubular wall which is: (i) movable between a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinally length, and (ii) radially expandible for implantation of the prosthesis in the body passageway. In one embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an "accordian"-like action. In another embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an "telescoping"-like action. The longitudinal length of the tubular wall may be varied in vivo to optimize deployment of the endovascular prosthesis.

An endovascular prosthesis (100) comprises a structural member (131), which defines, when the prosthesis (100) assumes an expanded state, a substantially tubular structure (111), and two wings (107, 108), which are coupled to a proximal end (118) of the tubular structure (111). If the wings (107, 108) are placed within and in contact with a right circular cylinder (102), which has a diameter of between 2.5 and 3 cm, such that a distal end (119) of the tubular structure (111) is outside the cylinder (102): (a) an axis (116) of the tubular structure (111) defines an angle of between 75 and 90 degrees with an axis (106) of the cylinder (102), (b) the wings (107, 108) at least partially occupy respective arcs (103A, 103B) of the cylinder (102), at least one of which arcs (103A, 103B) has an angle of no more than 180 degrees, and (c) the wings (107, 108) have respective greatest axial lengths (104) along the cylinder axis (106), at least one of which is at least 1.5 times a diameter (122) of the tubular structure (111).

An endovascular prosthesis has a prosthesis body that is sized and configured for introduction into a blood vessel lumen. The prosthesis body has a wall that defines an interior passage for blood. One or more connectors are distributed about the wall. A fastener is carried by at least one of the connectors. The fastener is sized and configured for advancement through the connector into tissue in the blood vessel lumen.

A method for increasing the rate of thrombus formation and / or proliferative cell growth of a selected region (21) of cellular tissue (22) including the step of endovascularly irradiating the selected region (21) with radiation, having a dose range of endovascular radiation of about 1 Gy to about 600 Gy at a low dose rate of about 1 cGy / hr to about 320 cGy / hr, to increase thrombus formation and / or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (21). Preferably, the delivery means includes a deformable endovascular prosthesis (25) adapted for secured positioning adjacent to the selected region (21) of cellular tissue (22), and a radioactive source. This source cooperates with the deformable endovascular device (25) in a manner endovascularly irradiating the selected region with radiation, having the above-indicated dose range and low dose rate of endovascular radiation to increase thrombus formation and / or cell proliferation of the affected selected region (21).

An endoluminal prosthesis for use in the ascending aorta is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a tubular graft material having an outer surface and an inner surface, a support structure coupled to the graft material, and a plurality of anchors extending from a proximal end of the support structure. Each anchor is curved outwardly such that a middle portion of the anchor extends further outwardly than a proximal portion of the anchor and a distal portion of the anchor such that the anchors conform to the shape of the aortic root. A hook extends outwardly from a proximal end of each anchor to engage the annulus of the aortic valve. The proximal end of the support structure and graft material is disposed adjacent the sinotubular junction.

A circumferentially constraining suture for an endovascular prosthesis having a tubular body and a plurality of stents coupled to the tubular body includes a first thread coupled at a first end to one of the stents and a first thread loop disposed opposite the first end. The first thread extends only partially around a circumference of the tubular body in a radially expanded configuration. A second thread having a second thread loop is interlocked with the first thread loop and extends from the first thread loop around a remainder of the circumference of the tubular body. Pulling the second thread causes the first thread to circumferentially constrain the tubular body to a reduced diameter configuration. A trigger wire inserted through the first thread loop retains the first thread such that the tubular body is in the reduced diameter configuration after removal of the second thread.

The present invention is directed to a green fluoropolymer tube which has a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 microns or less, and more preferably about 125 microns or less. With such thinness, the green tube may be formed into a tube of expanded fluoropolymer having a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 mum or less and more preferably about 125 microns or less. Such an expanded fluoropolymer tube is particularly well-suited for use as an endovascular prosthesis, such as a graft, or in a stent-graft, because of its flexibility and strength.

A tubular prosthesis, which may be an endovascular prothesis, is provided which includes a tubular member (stent or stent / graft combination) and an outer covering having portions sealed to the tubular member. The tubular member is impervious to a pre-determined fluid, particularly an occluding fluid, while the outer cover is pervious to the pre-determined fluid. In one aspect of the present invention, the implantation of the prosthesis allows for occluding fluid to weep from the prosthesis and into a sac of an aneurysm to cause occlusion thereof without introducing the occluding fluid into the blood stream. In this manner, a Type II failure of the prosthesis may be avoided. In other aspects of the invention, therapeutic agents may be delivered and / or a seal may be formed about the prosthesis to prevent a Type I failure.

An endovascular delivery system includes a bifurcated and inflatable prosthesis including a main tubular body having an open end and opposed ipsilateral and contralateral legs defining a graft wall therein between. A tether is disposed securably disposed to the contralateral leg, and the contralateral leg is releasably restrained towards the ipsilateral leg tether to prevent undesirable movement of the contralateral leg. A release wire within the endovascular delivery system releasably retains the tether near the ipsilateral leg.