Bifurcated multicapsule intraluminal grafting system and method

• US 20050015141A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifeport Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alec A. Piplani, Dinah B. Quiachon, Kenneth L. Osborn, Peter K. Johansson, Richard S. Williams, Ronald G. Williams, Steve G. Baker, Ted W. Layman
• Inventors: Layman, Ted W., Baker, Steve G., Williams, Richard S., Williams, Ronald G., Johansson, Peter K., Piplani, Alec A., Quiachon, Dinah B., Osborn, Kenneth L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,118,594 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.230
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/954 for placing stents or stent-grafts in a bifurcation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

An apparatus for repairing a vessel using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A bifurcated graft assembly for implantation within vasculature, comprising:

a graft body including a main tubular member, a first leg and a second leg;

wherein the first leg and the second leg each include an external profile characterized by a plurality of peaks and valleys extending substantially an entire length of the first and second legs.

22. The bifurcated graft of claim 21, the first leg further comprising a terminal end portion, the terminal end portion lacking an external profile characterized by peaks and valleys.

23. The bifurcated graft of claim 22, the terminal end portion defining structure to attach to an anchoring mechanism.

24. The bifurcated graft of claim 21, the second leg further comprising a terminal end portion, the terminal end portion lacking an external profile characterized by peaks and valleys.

25. The bifurcated graft of claim 24, the terminal end portion defining structure to attach to an anchoring mechanism.

26. The bifurcated shaft of claim 21, further comprising a first anchoring mechanism attached to the main tubular member.

27. The bifurcated shaft of claim 26, comprising a second anchoring mechanism attached to the first leg, the second anchoring mechanism including a first set of alternating apices.

28. The bifurcated shaft of claim 27, comprising a third anchoring attachment to the second leg, the third anchoring mechanism including a second set of alternating apices.

29. The bifurcated shaft of claim 21, further comprising a plurality of radiopaque markers, each configured within one of the pluralities of valleys of the graft.

30. The bifurcated shaft of claim 21, wherein the main tubular member lacks an external profile characterized by a repeating pattern of a plurality of peaks and valleys.