System and method for endoluminal grafting of bifurcated and branched vessels
First Claim
1. A system for endoluminal grafting of a native, main anatomic conduit, in a region where at least one branch anatomic conduit extends from the main anatomic conduit, comprising:
- an endoaortic graft including a first pliable tube having a lumen extending longitudinally therefrom, at least one branch opening formed in the first pliable tube, and endoaortic graft anchoring means for holding the first pliable tube in substantially fixed place within the main anatomic conduit with the branch opening in alignment with the branch anatomic conduit, the first pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material;
a branch graft including a second pliable tube having a proximal end, a mid-portion, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and branch graft anchoring means at the distal end for holding at least the distal end of the branch graft in contact with the surrounding wall of the branch anatomic conduit, the second pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material, the second pliable tube being sized to be receivable through the branch opening such that a junction between the endoaortric branch and the branch graft is substantially fluid tight;
selectively activatable connector means for connecting the proximal end of the second pliable tube with the branch opening of the first pliable tube upon activation to allow the fluid that flows through the lumen of the endoaortic graft to pass through the branch opening into the lumen of the branch graft, wherein the connector means includes a portion made from memory metal for effecting a mechanical, non-magnetic connection between the proximal end of the second pliable tube and the branch opening of the first pliable tube;
endoaortic graft delivery means for introducing the first pliable tube into the anatomic conduit; and
branch graft delivery means for housing the second pliable tube and introducing it into the branch anatomic conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for endoluminal grafting of a main anatomic conduit in its diseased state in which it dilates to pose a life threatening condition and its various conduits that emanate from the main anatomic conduit. The grafting system comprises an endoaortic graft having at least one opening therein and at least one branch graft that is passable through the opening of the endoaortic graft into the branch anatomic conduit(s) such that the junction between the branch graft and the endoaortic graft is substantially fluid tight. A system and method for delivery of the endoaortic graft and also a system and method for efficient alignment and deployment of the branch (e.g., side branch) graft such that the coupling of the branch graft with the endoaortic graft is efficient and exact and fluid-tight; and a system and method for coupling the branch to the endoaortic graft via a coupling mechanism employing a memory metal alloy; a system and method for the proper and exact alignment of the endoaortic graft and the branch using magnetic force of a suitable nature, and which does not use the magnetic force as the coupling mechanism.
108 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for endoluminal grafting of a native, main anatomic conduit, in a region where at least one branch anatomic conduit extends from the main anatomic conduit, comprising:
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an endoaortic graft including a first pliable tube having a lumen extending longitudinally therefrom, at least one branch opening formed in the first pliable tube, and endoaortic graft anchoring means for holding the first pliable tube in substantially fixed place within the main anatomic conduit with the branch opening in alignment with the branch anatomic conduit, the first pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material; a branch graft including a second pliable tube having a proximal end, a mid-portion, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, and branch graft anchoring means at the distal end for holding at least the distal end of the branch graft in contact with the surrounding wall of the branch anatomic conduit, the second pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material, the second pliable tube being sized to be receivable through the branch opening such that a junction between the endoaortric branch and the branch graft is substantially fluid tight; selectively activatable connector means for connecting the proximal end of the second pliable tube with the branch opening of the first pliable tube upon activation to allow the fluid that flows through the lumen of the endoaortic graft to pass through the branch opening into the lumen of the branch graft, wherein the connector means includes a portion made from memory metal for effecting a mechanical, non-magnetic connection between the proximal end of the second pliable tube and the branch opening of the first pliable tube; endoaortic graft delivery means for introducing the first pliable tube into the anatomic conduit; and branch graft delivery means for housing the second pliable tube and introducing it into the branch anatomic conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for endoluminal grafting of a native, main anatomic conduit and a branch anatomic conduit extending from the main anatomic conduit, in a region where at least one branch anatomic conduits extends from the main anatomic conduit, using an endoaortic graft including a first pliable tube having a lumen extending longitudinally therefrom, at least one branch opening formed in the first pliable tube, a flexible magnetic ring positioned around the at least one branch opening of the first pliable tube, and endoaortic graft anchoring means for holding the first pliable tube in substantially fixed place within the main anatomic conduit with the branch opening in alignment with the branch anatomic conduit, the first pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material;
- and a branch graft including a second pliable tube having a proximal end, a mid-portion, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, connector means for connecting the proximal end with the branch opening of the first pliable tube to allow the fluid that flows through the lumen of the endoaortic graft to pass through the branch opening into the lumen of the branch graft, and anchoring means at the distal end for holding at least the distal end of the branch graft in contact with the surrounding wall of the branch anatomic conduit, the second pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material, the method comprising the steps of;
advancing an axial guide wire into the body of an aneurysm, and then advancing a second, more pliable balloon tipped guide wire into the branch anatomic conduit; transluminally advancing the endoaortic graft over the guide wires into the branch anatomic conduit; positioning the endoaortic graft within the main anatomic conduit such that the branch opening is aligned with the branch anatomic conduit; utilizing the endoaortic graft anchoring means to anchor the endoaortic graft within the main anatomic conduit; transluminally advancing the branch graft loaded in a retractable sheath of a branch graft delivery system over the guide wire to the branch anatomic conduit, the branch graft delivery system including a magnetic ring at its distal end; passing the distal end of the branch graft delivery system containing the branch graft through the branch opening and into the branch anatomic conduit, until the magnetic ring of the endoaortic graft and the magnetic ring on the branch delivery system attach; operating the branch graft delivery system such that the branch graft is deployed in the branch anatomic conduit, until such time that the retractable sheath of the delivery system is fully retracted; and once the retractable sheath of the branch graft delivery system is fully retracted, rotating the outer sheath of the branch graft delivery system by 180 degrees to switch the magnetic poles to allow the two magnetic rings to disengage. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
- and a branch graft including a second pliable tube having a proximal end, a mid-portion, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, connector means for connecting the proximal end with the branch opening of the first pliable tube to allow the fluid that flows through the lumen of the endoaortic graft to pass through the branch opening into the lumen of the branch graft, and anchoring means at the distal end for holding at least the distal end of the branch graft in contact with the surrounding wall of the branch anatomic conduit, the second pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material, the method comprising the steps of;
Specification