Bifurcated multicapsule intraluminal grafting system and method

• US 7,118,594 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Issued: 10/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lifeport Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: EndoVascular Technologies Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Layman, Ted W., Osborn, Kenneth L., Baker, Steve G., Williams, Richard S., Williams, Ronald G., Johansson, Peter K., Piplani, Alec A., Quiachon, Dinah B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert, Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DAVIS, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US10/700,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20050015141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.35
• US Class Current: 623/1.35
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/07 Stent-grafts
• 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 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/9517 handle assemblies therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/954 for placing stents or stent-grafts in a bifurcation
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• 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 2002/8483 Barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

An apparatus for repairing a vessel using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Claims

1. A bifurcated graft assembly for implantation within vasculature, comprising:

a graft body including a main tubular member, a first tubular leg and a second tubular leg; and

wherein the first leg and the second leg each include an external profile characterized by a plurality of peaks and valleys extending substantially an entire length of the first and second legs;

wherein the first leg further includes a terminal end portion, located on a free end of the first leg, the terminal end portion lacking an external profile characterized by peaks and valleys.

2. The bifurcated graft of claim 1, further comprising an anchoring mechanism wherein the terminal end portion defining structure to attach to the anchoring mechanism.

3. The bifurcated graft of claim 1, the second leg further comprising a terminal end portion, the terminal end portion lacking an external profile characterized by peaks and valleys.

4. The bifurcated graft of claim 3, further comprising an anchoring mechanism wherein the terminal end portion defining structure to attach to the anchoring mechanism.

5. The bifurcated shaft of claim 1, further comprising a first anchoring mechanism attached to the main tubular member.

6. The bifurcated shaft of claim 5, comprising a second anchoring mechanism attached to the first leg, the second anchoring mechanism including a first set of alternating apices.

7. The bifurcated shaft of claim 6, comprising a third anchoring attachment to the second leg, the third anchoring mechanism including a second set of alternating apices.

8. The bifurcated shaft of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of radiopaque markers, each configured within one of the pluralities of valleys of the graft.

9. The bifurcated shaft of claim 1, wherein the main tubular member lacks an external profile characterized by a repeating pattern of a plurality of peaks and valleys.