Modular grafting system and method

• US 6,814,752 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2001
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifeshield Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Chuter, Timothy A. M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/780,943
• Time in Patent Office: 1,369 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.1, 623/1.11, 623/1.27, 623/1.35, 623/3.1, 623/3.26, 623/1.16, 606/153, 606/191, 606/192-195, 606/198
• US Class Current: 623/1.35
• 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 2002/061 provided with means for allowing access to secondary lumens
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/075 the stent being loosely attached to the graft material, e.g. by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• 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 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

A system and method for treating and repairing complex anatomy characterized by a plurality of vessel portions oriented at various angles relative to each other. The system including a graft device that is capable of being assembled in situ and has associated therewith a method that avoids the cessation of blood flow to vital organs. A delivery catheter system and various graft supporting, mating and anchoring structures are additionally included

Claims

1. A system for treating vasculature, comprising:

a main component having at least four apertures, each of the apertures opening in a generally superior or inferior direction when the main component is unconstrained; and

a plurality of extension components each of which including a portion configured to sealingly engage with a corresponding aperture, at least one of the plurality of extension components including a first end portion, a second end portion and a midsection portion and a support structure attached to the midsection portion, the support structure being spaced from the main component after the plurality of extension components are placed in sealing engagement with the main component.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a main delivery catheter, the main catheter including a tubular portion and being sized to releasably receive and deliver the main component within vasculature.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery catheter including structure that receives at least one of the extension components.

4. The system of claim 3, the delivery catheter further comprising releasing structure to position at least one of the extension components adjacent the main component and into sealing engagement with the main component in situ.

5. The system of claim 1, the main component further comprising a profile that is sized to be positionable in the first vessel portion, wherein the system is configured to treat vasculature characterized by having a first vessel being proximately located and in fluid communication with at least four separate vessel portions, and each of the extension components extending from the main component to one of the four separate vessel portions.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the four separate vessels branch from the first vessel portion.

7. The system of claim 1, the main component further comprising a superior end and an anchoring device attached to the superior end.

8. The system of claim 7, the anchoring device further comprising a flat wire frame, the flat wire frame embodying structure to enable the anchoring device to compress to a small diameter and to expand to a large diameter.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the anchoring device is self-expanding.

10. The system of claim 1, the extension components further comprising a generally cylindrical support structure.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the support structure extends an entire length of the extension component.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the support structure is self-expanding.

13. The system of claim 10, the extension components further comprising an inside, wherein the support structure is attached to the inside of the extension components.

14. The system of claim 1, the main components further comprising a plurality of tubular portions extending therefrom, each of the tubular portions terminating with one of the first four apertures and being attachable to one of the plurality of extension components.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of guidewires, each of the guidewires configured to be routed through an interior of the main component and out one of the at least four apertures to thereby provide a path for connecting the plurality of extension components to the main component.