Prosthesis adapted for placement under external imaging
First Claim
1. An expandable prosthesis placeable into a body lumen, comprising:
- a support structure configured to engage the walls of the body lumen, the support structure having a cross-sectional profile that includes a first axis corresponding to and traversing a particular structural feature of the prosthesis configured to provide a function specific thereto; and
at least one imageable element located about the first axis, the at least one imageable element configured to facilitate visual identification of the rotational orientation of the first axis and the structural feature while the prosthesis is being imaged externally.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A expandable prosthesis having an imageable structure comprising one or more elements visually distinguishable by an external (e.g., radiographic or ultrasonic) imaging system, the structure being located about a first axis that corresponds to a structural feature of the prosthesis that is configured to perform a specific function particular to that axis. The imageable structure is configured to assist in the rotational orientation of the prosthesis during placement within the implantation site. In one embodiment, the prosthesis comprises a venous valve that includes imageable elements or structure, such as a pair of radiopaque markers, that defines the orifice of the valve structure such that the orifice can be oriented with a particular anatomical feature under imaging, such as to align the orifice with the long axis of the vessel. In another embodiment, the imageable structure is configured to permit an aperture located about a stent graft to be oriented with a anatomical feature of the vessel, such as a branch vessel opening. The invention includes a method for using imageable structure to confirm that the orientation of the prosthesis within a delivery apparatus is consistent the desired delivery approach to be used.
-
Citations
37 Claims
-
1. An expandable prosthesis placeable into a body lumen, comprising:
-
a support structure configured to engage the walls of the body lumen, the support structure having a cross-sectional profile that includes a first axis corresponding to and traversing a particular structural feature of the prosthesis configured to provide a function specific thereto; and
at least one imageable element located about the first axis, the at least one imageable element configured to facilitate visual identification of the rotational orientation of the first axis and the structural feature while the prosthesis is being imaged externally. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. An expandable prosthesis having a first end and a second end and being placeable into a body lumen, the prosthesis comprising:
-
a support structure configured to engage the walls of the body lumen, the support structure having a cross-sectional profile that includes a first axis corresponding to and traversing a particular structural characteristic of the prosthesis configured to provide a function specific thereto; and
at least a first and a second radiopaque marker located about the first axis near the first end of the prosthesis, the first and second radiopaque markers configured to facilitate visual identification of the first axis and the orientation thereof to an anatomical feature of the body lumen while the prosthesis is being placed using external imaging guidance. - View Dependent Claims (19)
-
-
20. A venous valve prosthesis having a first configuration for introduction through a blood vessel and a second configuration for implantation with the vessel, the venous valve prosthesis comprising:
-
a support structure configured to permit the prosthesis to engage the walls of a blood vessel;
a leaf structure configured to regulate the flow of blood therethrough, the leaf structure further defining an orifice; and
at least a first and a second imageable element positioned on the venous valve prosthesis and being configured such that the orientation of the orifice within the blood vessel is determinable radiographically while the prosthesis is in the first configuration. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A valve prosthesis, comprising:
-
a support structure configured to permit the valve prosthesis to engage the walls of a blood vessel;
a leaf structure configured to regulate the flow of blood therethrough, the leaf structure further defining an orifice; and
at least a first and a second imageable element attached about the leaflet structure and moveable therewith; and
wherein the imageable elements are position about the leaf structure such that the rotational orientation and functionality of the leaf structure can be determined using a method for external imaging. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. An intraluminal prosthesis, comprising:
-
a support structure configured to engage the walls of a body lumen, the support structure having a substantially tubular shape and a passageway extending therethrough;
a structural feature disposed about a first axis transecting the passageway of the prosthesis, the structural feature configured to provide a particular function that is different than that of the support structure; and
one or more radiopaque markers generally disposed about the first axis and indicating the orientation of the structural feature relative to the support structure. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. A method of intravascular placement of a valve prosthesis at an implantation site, comprising the steps of:
-
determining the orientation of the valve orifice relative the valve support structure and the distal end of the delivery apparatus;
advancing the delivery apparatus and valve to the implantation site using an approach compatible with the orientation of the valve within the delivery apparatus;
monitoring the location of the valve using an external imaging guidance system;
orienting the valve at the implantation site with the assistance of imageable structure located about the valve; and
deploying the valve at the implantation site.
-
-
37. A method of verifying the orientation of a valve prosthesis within a delivery apparatus prior to introduction into a patient, comprising the steps of:
-
providing the valve prosthesis that is loaded within a delivery apparatus, the valve including a orifice with imageable structure located thereabout;
imaging the delivery apparatus and the valve using an external imaging system;
determining the orientation of the orifice within the delivery apparatus using the location of the imageable structure relative at least one of valve prosthesis and the delivery apparatus; and
verifying that the orientation of the orifice is indicative of a delivery approach that is consistent with that specified by indicia located on at least one of the delivery apparatus, the valve prosthesis, and the packaging material thereof.
-
Specification