System and method for providing a graft in a vascular environment
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient, wherein the graft includes;
an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and
a body element coupled to the anchor system, wherein the anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent, wherein the anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is provided that includes a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient. The graft includes: 1) an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and 2) a body element coupled to the anchor system. The anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent. In particular embodiments, portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable. In still other embodiments, anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits. In one embodiment, the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE). In yet other embodiments, the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric coating disposed on its surface.
124 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
a graft for coupling two vascular conduits within a patient, wherein the graft includes; an anchor system that forms an arc at one end of the conduits; and a body element coupled to the anchor system, wherein the anchor system comprises a biodegradable stent, wherein the anchor system includes NITINOL and the anchor system is substantially self-sealing at one end of the conduits.
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2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein portions of the graft are either self-expandable or balloon-expandable.
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3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stent includes a drug, which covers either an external or an internal surface of the stent.
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4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein anti-coagulants, anti-platelets, or thrombolytics can be loaded on an inside or an outside of the body element.
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5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or expanded polytetrafluorethylene (EPTFE).
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6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element includes either a gelatinous or an elastomeric layer disposed on its surface.
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7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element or the anchor system includes two materials, whereby one of the materials biodegrades at a rate that is different from the other material.
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8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body element or the anchor system includes a coating, a fibrous material, or a wrap that can be used for drug loading.
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9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein footers are provided at an end of the anchor system or the body element to secure the graft to a respective conduit.
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10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a delivery system used to deliver the graft to a target location, the delivery system including a perforated splittable sheath.
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11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the delivery system includes a plunger and a base that is coupled to the plunger, wherein actuation of the plunger can cause the graft to be released.
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12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the delivery system includes an inner support member that facilitates delivery of the graft.
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13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the anchor system forms an arc at one end of the conduits and the anchor system is drug eluting.
Specification