Radially expansible vessel scaffolds mounted over balloons

• US 6,605,107 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LEAP Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avantec Vascular Corporation
• Inventors: Klein, Enrique J.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEWART, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US09/687,610
• Time in Patent Office: 1,035 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.24, 623/1.26, 606/198, 606/194, 606/192, 606/195
• US Class Current: 623/1.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• 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 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91516 the meander having a change in frequency along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9155 Adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention consists a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Claims

1. A prosthesis delivery system comprising:

a cylindrical frame formed from a plurality of radially expansible unit segments, said frame having a longitudinal length, a distal end and a proximal end; and

a catheter having an expansible balloon having a cylindrical inflation section which prior to expansion has about the same length as the length of the cyindrical frame, wherein the cylindrical frame is mounted over said inflation section of the expansible balloon, and wherein each end of the cylindrical inflation section of the balloon is no more than 1 mm from each adjacent end of the longitudinal length of the cylindrical frame.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein each end of the cylindrical inflation section of the balloon is no more than 0.5 mm from each adjacent end of the longitudinal length of the cylindrical frame.

3. A method for assembling a prosthesis delivery system comprising the steps of:

providing a radially expansible prosthesis and a catheter having an expansible inflation member with a cylindrical inflation section; and

mounting said prosthesis onto the inflation member, wherein each end of the cylindrical inflation section of the inflation member is no more than 1 mm from each adjacent end of the prosthesis prior to expansion.

4. A kit comprising:

a prosthesis for insertion into a body lumen having a longitudinal length and a plurality of radially expansible unit segments;

instructions for use setting forth a method according to claim 4; and

a package containing the prosthesis and the instructions for use.

5. A kit of claim 4 further comprising an a catheter having the inflation member.

6. A kit of claim 4 further comprising a crimping tool.

7. A method for assembling a prosthesis delivery system comprising the steps of:

selecting a prosthesis;

selecting a catheter including an expansible inflation member having a cylindrical inflation section of about the same longitudinal length as the length of the prosthesis;

placing the expansible inflation member in a long lumen of sail prosthesis;

aligning the position of the longitudinal length of the prosthesis with the length of the cylindrical inflation section of the expansible inflation member so that each end of the prosthesis is no more than 1 mm from each adjacent end of the longitudinal length of the cylindrical inflation section prior to expansion; and

mounting said prosthesis onto the inflation member.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein the mounting step comprises crimping said prosthesis onto the inflation member.