Method for repairing a bifurcated vessel

• US 5,868,777 A
• Filed: 03/03/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Lam, Sharon
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Trinh, Vikki
• Application Number:
  US08/811,125
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 606/194, 606/195, 606/198, 606/191-193, 606/108, 623/1, 623/12, 604/281, 604/104, 604/105, 604/106
• US Class Current: 606/194
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/954 for placing stents or stent-grafts in a bifurcation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/821 Ostial stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/1072 having balloons with two or more compartments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for repairing a vessel at a bifurcation without obstructing blood flow through the bifurcation, wherein an expandable ostial stent comprises a tubular body and a deformable flaring portion. Repair of a bifurcated vessel is accomplished by positioning the expandable ostial stent within a diseased portion of the bifurcation so that the flaring portion caps the ostium and the tubular body is seated within a side branch to the bifurcation, thereby completely repairing the vessel at the bifurcation without occluding blood flow.

Claims

1. A method for repairing a bifurcated vessel, wherein a first portion of the vessel opens into a second portion of said vessel, and wherein said first portion has a diseased area adjacent an ostium defining the intersection between said first and second portions, a stent having a tubular body and a flaring portion, means for expanding said tubular body and expanding and deforming said flaring portion, said expansion means operating to expand said tubular body and said flaring portion from an unexpanded and undeformed to an expanded and deformed configuration, the method comprising:

loading said tubular body and said flaring portion in said unexpanded and undeformed configuration upon a balloon portion of a catheter;

advancing said balloon catheter and said tubular body through a patient'"'"'s vasculature to said diseased area of said bifurcated vessel such that said tubular body is positioned within said first portion, while said flaring portion extends from said ostium to partially protrude into said second portion;

expanding said balloon portion of said catheter to expand said tubular body from said unexpanded to said expanded configuration, and capping the ostium by expanding and deforming said flaring portion from said unexpanded and undeformed to said expanded and deformed configuration; and

removing said balloon catheter from the patient'"'"'s vasculature.

2. A method for repairing a bifurcated vessel, wherein a first portion of the vessel opens into a second portion of said vessel, and wherein said first portion has a diseased area adjacent an ostium defining the intersection between said first and second portions, a stent having a tubular body and a flaring portion, means for expanding said tubular body and expanding and deforming said flaring portion, said expansion means operating to expand said tubular body from an unexpanded to an expanded configuration, and means for expanding said flaring portion from an unexpanded and undeformed to an expanded and deformed configuration, the method comprising:

loading said tubular body comprising a memory-retaining material at a temperature below normal body temperature upon a balloon portion of a catheter, said tubular body having said unexpanded configuration and said flaring portion having said unexpanded and undeformed configuration at said temperature below normal body temperature;

advancing said balloon through a patient'"'"'s vasculature to said diseased area of said bifurcated vessel and positioning said tubular body within said first portion, said flaring portion extending from said ostium to partially protrude into said second portion;

increasing the temperature of said memory-retaining material to a temperature at or above body temperature thereby expanding said tubular body from said unexpanded to said expanded configuration and capping the ostium by expanding and deforming said flaring portion; and

removing said balloon portion and catheter from the patient'"'"'s vasculature.