Stent or graft support structure for treating bifurcated vessels having different diameter portions and methods of use and implantation
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a structure in an organ or vessel having a trunk and a branch, the method comprising:
- providing a self-expanding structure having a main portion coupled to a branch portion by a flexible link;
compressing the self-expanding structure to a reduced delivery diameter and loading the self-expanding structure into a delivery sheath;
inserting the delivery sheath transluminally so that the main portion is disposed in the trunk and the branch portion is disposed in the branch;
retracting the delivery sheath a first distance to enable the main portion to expand to a first deployed diameter, the main portion thereby anchoring the self-expanding structure within the trunk adjacent to the branch; and
retracting the delivery sheath a second distance to enable the branch portion to expand to a second deployed diameter, the second diameter different than the first deployed diameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-expanding stent structure is provided having a main portion that expands to a first diameter and a branch portion that expands to a second diameter, different the first diameter, the main portion having a link portion that forms a flexible linkage to, and forms part of, the branch portion. The self-expanding structure may be compressed to a reduced diameter for delivery, and resumes an expanded diameter during deployment. The self-expanding stent structure also may be advantageously incorporated in an asymmetric stent-graft system. Methods of use are also provided, wherein the main portion of the self-expanding structure, when deployed in a trunk vessel, may be used to anchor the branch portion in a branch vessel.
392 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of implanting a structure in an organ or vessel having a trunk and a branch, the method comprising:
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providing a self-expanding structure having a main portion coupled to a branch portion by a flexible link; compressing the self-expanding structure to a reduced delivery diameter and loading the self-expanding structure into a delivery sheath; inserting the delivery sheath transluminally so that the main portion is disposed in the trunk and the branch portion is disposed in the branch; retracting the delivery sheath a first distance to enable the main portion to expand to a first deployed diameter, the main portion thereby anchoring the self-expanding structure within the trunk adjacent to the branch; and retracting the delivery sheath a second distance to enable the branch portion to expand to a second deployed diameter, the second diameter different than the first deployed diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of implanting a structure in a carotid or cerebral artery having a trunk and a branch, the method comprising:
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providing a self-expanding structure having a main portion coupled to a branch portion by a flexible link, the self-expanding structure being constrained at a reduced delivery diameter, the main portion being self-expanding to a first expanded diameter, and the branch portion being self-expanding to a second expanded diameter smaller than the first expanded diameter; inserting the self-expanding structure in its reduced delivery diameter transluminally so that the main portion is disposed in the trunk and the branch portion is disposed in the branch; and releasing the self-expanding structure such that the main and branch portions self-expand to the first and second expanded diameters, respectively, the self-expanding structure being released while maintaining the main and branch portions in the trunk and branch, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of implanting a structure in a carotid or cerebral artery having a trunk and a branch extending therefrom, the method comprising:
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providing a self-expanding structure having a main portion coupled to a branch portion by a flexible link, the self-expanding structure being constrained at a reduced delivery diameter, the main portion being self-expanding to a first expanded diameter, and the branch portion being self-expanding to a second expanded diameter smaller than the first expanded diameter; inserting the self-expanding structure in its reduced delivery diameter transluminally so that the main portion is disposed in the trunk of the carotid or cerebral artery and the branch portion is disposed in the branch; and releasing the self-expanding structure such that the main and branch portions self-expand to the first and second expanded diameters, respectively. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification