Expansible endoprosthesis for a human or animal tubular organ, and fitting tool for use thereof

• US 5,755,769 A
• Filed: 04/21/1994
• Issued: 05/26/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: Laboratoire Perouse Implant
• Inventors: Perouse, Eric, Richard, Thierry
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US08/146,137
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1, 623/12, 623/900, 606/191-198
• US Class Current: 623/1.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/97 the outer sleeve being splittable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30199 Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30327 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0078 hyperboloidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

An endoprosthesis includes an extensible tubular mesh embedded in a plastic or elastomer extensible film. A tool for positioning the endoprosthesis includes a tube-shaped guide provided at its distal end with a tulip-shaped housing. Cutting threads cause the housing to open longitudinally into several petal-like parts. Application is to endoluminal treatment of aneurisms and dilations.

Claims

1. A self-expanding stent comprising:

a generally tubular self-expanding mesh formed of a material having spring properties, said mesh having an axis, opposite ends and a body portion extending axially between said ends, said mesh defining therethrough a plurality of openings, and said material of said mesh having an exposed surface including portions facing radially outwardly and radially inwardly with respect to said axis and portions facing toward each of said openings, said mesh being deformably expansible from a contracted state to an expanded state;

a liquid-tight film formed of an extensible and biocompatible material;

at least said body portion of said mesh being entirely embedded within said film, such that said film fills and bridges said openings of said body portion of said mesh, and with said film covering and being attached to the entire said exposed surface of said body portion of said mesh; and

said material of said film having an extensibility sufficient to enable said film to follow and move with said mesh during deformation thereof from said contracted state to said expanded state.

2. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film material is a polymer.

3. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film material is polyurethane.

4. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film material is natural rubber.

5. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film material is synthetic rubber.

6. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein end portions of said stent are flared when said stent is in an expanded condition thereof.

7. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mesh material comprises stainless steel.

8. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mesh material comprises a rigid plastic.

9. A stent as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rigid plastic mesh material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

10. A stent as claimed in claim 8, wherein said rigid plastic mesh material is radiopaque.

11. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film is a plastic material.

12. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film is an elastomer material.

13. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings of said mesh are diamond-shaped and are elongated parallel to said axis of said mesh in said contracted state of said mesh and are elongated circumferentially of said mesh in said expanded state of said mesh.

14. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said extensibility of said material of said film is sufficient to prevent said film from tearing away or detaching from said mesh during said deformation.

15. A stent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said film comprises a unitary one-piece structure.

16. An expansible stent comprising:

a generally tubular mesh having an axis, opposite ends and a body portion extending axially between said ends, said mesh defining therethrough a plurality of openings, and said mesh having an exposed surface including portions facing radially outwardly and radially inwardly with respect to said axis and portions facing toward each of said openings, said mesh being deformably expansible from a contracted state to an expanded state;

a liquid-tight film formed of an extensible and biocompatible material;

at least said body portion of said mesh being entirely embedded within said film, such that said film fills and bridges said openings of said body portion of said mesh, and with said film covering and being attached to the entire said exposed surface of said body portion of said mesh; and

said material of said film having an extensibility sufficient to enable said film to follow and move with said mesh during deformation thereof from said contracted state to said expanded state.

17. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film material is a polymer.

18. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film material is polyurethane.

19. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film material is natural rubber.

20. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film material is synthetic rubber.

21. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein end portions of said stent are flared when said stent is in an expanded condition thereof.

22. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mesh is formed of stainless steel.

23. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said mesh is formed of a rigid plastic.

24. A stent as claimed in claim 23, wherein said rigid plastic comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.

25. A stent as claimed in claim 23, wherein said rigid plastic is radiopaque.

26. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film is a plastic material.

27. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film is an elastomer material.

28. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said openings of said mesh are diamond-shaped and are elongated parallel to said axis of said mesh in said contracted state of said mesh and are elongated circumferentially of said mesh in said expanded state of said mesh.

29. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said extensibility of said material of said film is sufficient to prevent said film from tearing away or detaching from said mesh during said deformation.

30. A stent as claimed in claim 16, wherein said film comprises a unitary one-piece structure.