Endovascular graft with pressor and attachment methods

• US 20050107866A1
• Filed: 01/16/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifeshield Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Brown, Peter S., Dang, Kim-Lien, Ton, Tina A., Parker, Joanne L., Berlo, Marcelyn A., Creech, Veronica
• Granted Patent: US 7,488,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.230
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0028 Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02014 Determining aneurysm
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/001 Detecting cranial noise, e.g. caused by aneurism
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/06 Blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/067 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0096 Markers and sensors for detecting a position or changes of a position of an implant, e.g. RF sensors, ultrasound markers

Abstract

A endovascular graft having sensing devices attached thereto to facilitate measurement of pertinent parameters within the vasculature into which the graft is implanted. Power sources and transmitters may be attached to the graft to facilitate transmission of measurements to a receiving device outside the patient'"'"'s body. The sensing devices, may be electrically passive or integrated devices with measurement and transmission capability. The sensing devices may be attached to specific locations on the graft material or attached to the lumen, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be dispersed over the surface of the graft material or within the lumen to provide a profile of pertinent parameters. The sensing devices may be attached to the graft material with one or two sutures using a running stitch to minimize graft bulk and may be coated with a material to inhibit or control tissue growth. Methods and apparatus for handling and protecting sensing devices can be employed where the sensing device is particularly fragile. Approaches for effectively and efficiently attaching sensing and other devices to medical devices can also be utilized and are described.

Claims

1. A method of protecting a sensor attached to a graft intended to be delivered within vasculature using a catheter, comprising:

attaching a sensor to a graft;

folding graft material to cover the sensor; and

placing the graft within a catheter.

2. The method of claim 1, the folding of graft material further comprising configuring the graft to define an H-shape.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising configuring a membrane of the sensor so that the membrane is substantially perpendicular to a radius of an unfolded graft.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising folding more than two layers of graft material over the sensor.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising configuring a membrane of the sensor so that the membrane is substantially parallel to a radius of an unfolded graft.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising folding more than two layers of graft material over the sensor.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising placing a double-folded section of graft material over the sensor.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising a single folded section of graft material over the sensor.

9. A method of attaching a sensor including a pair of looped ears at opposing ends to graft material, comprising:

form a knot in suture;

create multiple stitches in graft material superior to a sensor;

route the suture through a superior looped ear of the sensor;

create multiple stitches about a periphery of the sensor;

route sutures through an inferior looped ear of the sensor; and

create at least one double loop knot in the suture.

10. The method of claim 10, wherein stitch points are positioned 0.5 to 1.5 mm apart.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the double loop knot is positioned 0.5 mm from a stitch point.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising creating stitch points within each of the pair of looped ears of the sensor.

13. An endovascular grafting kit, comprising:

a graft;

a sensor; and

a handling device for handling the sensor, the handling device including a cavity for receiving the sensor and a grasping surface for translating the handling device loaded with the sensor.

14. The endovascular graft kit of claim 13, the handling device further comprising a tubular body, the tubular body including a lengthwise split.

15. The endovascular graft kit of claim 13, the handling device further comprising an interior defined by a U-channel that receives the sensor and a wing structure formed on an exterior of the handling device.

16. The endovascular graft kit of claim 13, the handling device including a superior end portion having a tubular shape with a longitudinal slot and a proximal end portion defining a handle extending longitudinally from the superior end portion.

17. The endovascular graft kit of claim 13, wherein the handling device permits the sensor to be attached to the graft material while being held thereby.

18. An endovascular grafting kit, comprising:

a graft;

a sensor; and

a holding device that temporarily attaches the sensor to a graft, the holding device permitting access and space to permanently attach the sensor to the graft.

19. The endovascular grafting kit of claim 18, the holding device further comprising an adhesive strip structure including a main section for engaging the sensor and two pairs of wings that temporarily attach to graft material.

20. The endovascular grafting kit of claim 18, wherein the sensor includes two looped structures and the holding device further comprising a plurality of curved pins sized to be threaded through the two looped structures and graft material.

21. An endovascular graft assembly, comprising:

a body;

a sensor; and

a pocket for receiving the sensor and to hold the sensor adjacent the graft body.

22. The endovascular graft assembly of claim 21, wherein the pocket is weaved into the graft body.

23. The endovascular graft assembly of claim 21, wherein the pocket is formed from a patch attached to the body.

24. An endovascular graft assembly, comprising:

a body;

a sensor; and

a sensor handling or protective device that holds the sensor adjacent the graft until the graft is placed within vasculature.

25. The graft assembly of claim 24, wherein the sensor handling or protective device includes a substructure that allows the device to be disengaged from the body.

26. The graft assembly of claim 25, wherein the substructure is a release wire.

27. The graft assembly of claim 25, wherein the substructure is dissolvable.