System and Method for Providing a Graft in a Vascular Environment

• US 20100204776A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 08/12/2010
• 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 8,123,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.130
• 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 Y-shaped blood vessel prostheses A61F2002/065
• 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. -14. (canceled)

15. A method, comprising:

compressing a graft for coupling first and second vascular conduits;

positioning one end of the graft at a first conduit; and

positioning an opposite end of the graft at a second conduit, wherein the graft includes;

an anchor system having an expandable end adapted to be coaxially received within the first conduit such that the expandable end applies a resistive force to the first conduit when the expandable end is radially expanded to have a greater inner dimension, the anchor system forming an arc at an opening of the first conduit; and

a body element coupled to the anchor system.

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 at least one of the conduits after the graft is positioned.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at the first conduit.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein the first conduit is a vein.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the body element and the anchor system are integrally formed.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the graft is at least partially biodegradable.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the graft includes internal scaffolding to provide reinforcement to the graft.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the anchor system includes a stent.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the stent extends along the body element.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the graft further includes an outer cover surrounding the anchor system, wherein the outer cover is adapted to deliver a drug therapy.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

an inner cover opposing the outer cover and defining a space therebetween sized to receive the stent, wherein the inner cover is adapted to deliver another drug therapy.

30. A method, comprising:

compressing a graft for coupling first and second vascular conduits;

positioning one end of the graft at a first conduit; and

positioning an opposite end of the graft at a second conduit, wherein the graft includes;

an anchor system having an expandable stent adapted to be coaxially received within the first conduit such that the stent applies a resistive force to the first conduit when the stent is radially expanded to have a greater inner dimension, the anchor system forming an arc at an opening of the first conduit; and

a body element coupled to the anchor system.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the anchor system and the body element are integrally formed.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at the first conduit.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the graft is biodegradable.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of the stent includes an inner cover adapted to deliver a drug therapy.