Internal graft prosthesis and delivery system
First Claim
1. A graft and system for placement of the graft within a body passage, comprising:
- a) longitudinally extending tubular graft means adapted to resiliently assume a foreshortened enlarged diameter condition upon relaxation and, upon being elongated, assume a reduced diameter condition;
b) first and second elongate members extending longitudinally of the graft means, said members being longitudinally movable relative to one another and the graft means;
c) securing means releasably attaching the elongate members to the tubular graft means whereby longitudinal movement of the of the elongate members relative to one another in one direction elongates the graft means and longitudinal movement of the members in an opposite direction relaxes the graft means for expansion to the foreshortened enlarged diameter condition; and
,d) means to selectively release the securing means from the elongate members.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A resilient tubular graft is delivered into place within a body passage by elongating the graft to reduce its diameter and then directing the graft to the desired position while in the elongated condition. The graft is carried into position by a pair of elongate members mounted for longitudinal movement relative to one other. Flexible lines secure opposite ends of the graft to the respective elongate members whereby relative longitudinal movement of the members functions to elongate the graft and reduce its diameter. The lines extend around the graft to impart radial compression thereto simultaneously with elongation of the graft. Upon placement of the graft at the desired location within a body passage, the lines are released to permit the graft to expand into engagement with the passage. Barbs on the graft provide for secure engagement of the graft with a body passage.
479 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A graft and system for placement of the graft within a body passage, comprising:
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a) longitudinally extending tubular graft means adapted to resiliently assume a foreshortened enlarged diameter condition upon relaxation and, upon being elongated, assume a reduced diameter condition; b) first and second elongate members extending longitudinally of the graft means, said members being longitudinally movable relative to one another and the graft means; c) securing means releasably attaching the elongate members to the tubular graft means whereby longitudinal movement of the of the elongate members relative to one another in one direction elongates the graft means and longitudinal movement of the members in an opposite direction relaxes the graft means for expansion to the foreshortened enlarged diameter condition; and
,d) means to selectively release the securing means from the elongate members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing and placing a graft within a body passage, said method comprising:
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a) providing a tubular graft having an outside diameter closely approximately that of the passage, said graft having a first end and a second end and being fabricated of a resilient material and adapted to reduce in diameter upon elongation; b) extending first and second elongate members along the graft for longitudinal movement relative to one another and the graft; c) securing a first end of the graft to an attachment point on said first elongate member and a second end of the graft to an attachment point on said second elongate member and moving said members longitudinally relative to one another to move the attachment points apart and, thereby, elongate the graft; d) passing the elongate members into the body passage with the graft in reduced diameter elongated condition; e) positioning the graft at the desired location within the passage; f) moving said elongate members longitudinally relative to one another move the attachment points together and, thereby, to relax elongation of the graft and permit the graft to expand resiliently into engagement with the passage; and
,g) disconnecting the graft from the elongate members and removing the members from the passage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A graft and system for placement of the graft within a body passage, comprising:
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a) longitudinally extending tubular graft means adapted to resiliently assume a foreshortened enlarged diameter condition upon relaxation and, upon being elongated, assume a reduced diameter condition; b) elongate placement means extending longitudinally of the graft means to carry the graft means through the body passage; c) flexible lines securing opposite ends of the tubular graft means to the placement means; d) means to move said lines to selectively elongate the graft means; and
,e) means to selectively release the flexible lines from the placement means. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of providing and placing a graft within a body passage, said method comprising:
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a) providing a tubular graft having an outside diameter closely approximating that of the passage, said graft being fabricated of a resilient material and adapted to reduce in diameter upon elongation; b) extending an elongate placement member through the graft; c) securing opposite ends of the graft to the placement member with flexible lines; d) moving the lines to elongate the graft; e) passing the placement member into the body passage with the graft carried thereby in reduced diameter elongated condition; f) positioning the graft at the desired location within the passage; g) relaxing elongation of the graft and permitting the graft to expand resiliently into engagement with the passage; and
,h) disconnecting the graft from the placement member and removing the member from the passage. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of treating a dissecting aneurysm within the thoracic aorta through the femoral artery, said method comprising:
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a) providing a fluid permeable tubular graft having opposite ends and an outside diameter closely approximating that of the thoracic aorta, said graft being fabricated of a resilient material and adapted to reduce in diameter upon elongation; b) extending an elongate placement member through the graft; c) securing said opposite ends of the graft to the placement member, wherein said ends are moved apart from one another in order to elongate the graft and reduce its outside diameter; d) introducing the placement member into the femoral artery with the graft in a reduced diameter elongated condition; e) passing the placement member into the aorta with the graft carried thereby in reduced diameter elongated condition; f) positioning the graft within the dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta; g) relaxing elongation of the graft to permit the graft to expand resiliently into engagement with the thoracic aorta; and
,h) disconnecting the graft from the placement member and removing the member from the aorta through the femoral artery.
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Specification