Non-migrating vascular prosthesis and minimally invasive placement system therefor

• US 6,077,297 A
• Filed: 01/12/1998
• Issued: 06/20/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Robinson, Timothy, Carey, John, Weiser, Michael, Kujawski, Dennis
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/005,450
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1, 623/11, 623/12, 623/1.11, 623/1.23
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/848 having means for fixation to the vessel wall, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• 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 2/9522 Means for mounting a stent or stent-graft onto or into a placement instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9525 using a funnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/966 with relative longitudinal movement between outer sleeve and prosthesis, e.g. using a push rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/825 having longitudinal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9665 with additional retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/921 Blood vessel

Abstract

A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Claims

1. A device for positioning a resiliently expandable implant within a blood vessel which comprises:

a) a tubular sheath for maintaining the implant in a radially compressed configuration, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end and being open at its distal end and axially moveable relative to the implant,

b) a stay positioned within the sheath, proximally of the distal end of the sheath disposed to engage the proximal region of the implant to retain the implant in position as the sheath is withdrawn in a proximal direction, the sheath being axially moveable relative to the stay; and

c) an implant retainer adapted to engage the implant, the sheath being axially moveable relative to the retainer and the retainer being stationary relative to the stay, the implant retainer being disposed distally of the stay and being engageable with the proximal portion of the implant to restrain distal movement of the implant in response to relative distal movement of the sheath.

2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the implant retainer is an integral part of the stay.

3. A device as in claim 1 wherein the implant retainer comprises a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly, each of the spokes being adapted to engage a proximal portion of the implant to resist distal movement of the implant in response to relative distal movement of the sheath while the sheath is in engagement with the implant.

4. A device as in claim 3 wherein the spokes are located and oriented to engage the implant until the sheath has been withdrawn proximally to the region of the spokes whereby the implant then may be fully released from the sheath.

5. A device for positioning a resiliently expandable implant within a blood vessel comprising:

a tubular sheath for maintaining the implant in a radially compressed configuration, the sheath having a proximal end and a distal end;

an elongate member disposed within the tubular sheath, the member and the sheath being constructed to contain the implant in an annular region defined between the sheath and the member;

a device carried by the member and engageable with the proximal region of the implant, the device comprising a stay mounted to the member and defining an abutment for the proximal end of the implant to prevent proximal movement of the implant in response to proximal movement of the sheath until the sheath has been withdrawn proximally of the proximal portion of the implant, and an implant retainer engageable with the implant distally of the stay to prevent distal movement of the implant in response to distal movement of the sheath until the sheath has been withdrawn proximally of the proximal portion of the implant.