System and method for providing a graft in a vascular environment

• US 20080009781A1
• Filed: 07/07/2006
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Graft Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Graft Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Feghali, Georges A., Anwar, Azam, Johnson, Kenneth B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,722,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/11 for performing anastomosis; Buttons for anastomosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1107 for blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1135 End-to-side connections, e.g. T- or Y-connections
• 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 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient, wherein the graft includes;

an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and

a body element coupled to the anchor system, wherein the anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stent includes drug, which covers either an external or an internal surface of the stent.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein anti-coagulants, anti-platelets, or thrombolytics can be loaded on an inside or an outside of the body element.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric layer disposed on its surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element or the anchor system includes two materials, whereby one of the materials biodegrades at a rate that is different from the other material.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element or the anchor system includes a coating, a fibrous material, or a wrap that can be used for drug loading.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein footers are provided at an end of the anchor system or the body element to source the graft to a respective conduit.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a delivery system used to deliver the graft to a target location, the delivery system including a perforated splittable sheath.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the delivery system includes a plunger and a base that is coupled to the plunger, wherein actuation of the plunger can cause the graft to be released.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the delivery system includes an inner support/member that facilitates delivery of the graft.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the anchor system forms an arc at one end of the conduits and the anchor system is drug eluting.

15. A method for inserting a graft that couples two vascular conduits within a patient, comprising:

compressing the graft, wherein the vascular conduits represent a vein and an artery;

positioning the graft at a venous side of a target location; and

positioning the graft at an arterial side, wherein the graft includes;

an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and

a body element coupled to the anchor system, wherein the anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the graft is delivered percutaneously.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein a veinotomy or a Seldinger technique is performed in conjunction with placement of the graft.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

loading anti-coagulants, anti-platelets, or thrombolytics on an inside or an outside of the body element.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

suturing either end of the conduits after the graft is positioned.