Radially self-expanding implantable intraluminal device

• US 6,488,705 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2001
• Issued: 12/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Meadox Medicals, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Peter J., Lentz, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Vy Q.
• Application Number:
  US09/955,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20020026237A1
• Time in Patent Office: 441 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.1, 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 623/1.13, 623/1.14, 623/1.15, 623/1.16, 623/1.17, 623/1.18, 623/1.19, 623/1.2, 623/1.21, 623/1.22, 623/1.25, 623/1.3, 623/1.32, 623/1.33, 623/1.36, 623/1.49, 623/1.5, 623/1.51, 623/1.53, 606/108, 606/191, 606/194, 606/195, 600/198
• US Class Current: 623/1.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• 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 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/077 having means to fill the space between stent-graft and aneurysm wall, e.g. a sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30065 thermoplastic, i.e. softening or fusing when heated, and hardening and becoming rigid again when cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30461 sutured, ligatured or stitched
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9534 for repositioning of stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0071 thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0075 sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: D04C 1/06 Braid or lace serving particular purposes
• CPC Class Codes: D10B 2509/06 Vascular grafts; stents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/903 Blood vessel

Abstract

A radially self-expanding implantable intraluminal device formed from a hollow tubular braid. The intraluminal device may be used in a variety of medical procedures which require a passageway to be maintained in an open position or which require reinforcement, support or a bypass conduit such as in blood vessels weakened by disease. The intraluminal device is longitudinally expanded or radially collapsed for ease of insertion into a lumen and upon alignment within the lumen, the intraluminal device radially self-expands to come into intimate contact with the inner surface of the lumen.

Claims

1. An implantable intraluminal device comprising a radially self-expanding hollow tubular braid wherein the device is made from a thermoplastic material which is heat-set for a sufficient time and temperature to effectuate a permanent memory in an expanded state and wherein the braid is a three-dimensional braid, wherein the braid further includes a stiffening component to add a greater degree of rigidity to the structure.

2. A device as described in claim 1, wherein said stiffening component comprises a metallic wire braided into said three-dimensional braid.

3. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device is an endovascular prosthesis.

4. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device expands under conditions found within a lumen.

5. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device substantially conforms to the shape and inner surface of a lumen.

6. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device is radially adjustable.

7. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyurethane, and polytetrafluoroethylene.

8. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic material is heat conditioned at 350°

F. for a time sufficient to set it in a radially expanded position.

9. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device is in a radially expanded position under unstressed conditions.

10. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device has a diameter in the range of about 4 mm to about 38 mm in the radially expanded position.

11. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the device has a diameter in the range of about 12 mm to about 24 mm in a longitudinally expanded position.

12. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the braid has a braid angle from about 10°

to about 85°

.

13. A device as described in claim 12, wherein the braid has a braid angle from about 15°

to about 70°

.

14. A device as described in claim 1, wherein the braid is formed from a yarn having a denier in the range of 20 to 500 denier.

15. An implantable intraluminal device, comprising a radially self-expanding hollow tubular braid, wherein the device is made from a thermoplastic material which is heat-set for a sufficient time and temperature to effectuate a permanent memory in an expanded state and wherein the braid is a three-dimensional braid, wherein the braid further includes axial yarns braided into said braid to control the amount of expansion of the device in an unstressed state.