Apparatus and methods for deployment of linked prosthetic segments

• US 9,883,957 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2014
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JW Medical Systems Ltd
• Original Assignee: JW Medical Systems Ltd
• Inventors: Andreas, Bernard, Chew, Sunmi, Dittmer, Jeremy, Grainger, Jeff, Kao, Stephen, Lowe, David, Mao, Bryan, Olson, Stephen, Snow, David, Welk, Craig
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodjom, Katherine
• Application Number:
  US14/183,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20140236282A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,449 Days
• Field of Search: 623 111, 623 116, 623 112, 623 123
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/1205 Introduction devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/12068 detachable by heat
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/852 Two or more distinct overlapping stents
• 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 2/91 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 2/95 Instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30545 for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/826 more than one stent being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/828 Means for connecting a plurality of stents allowing flexibility of the whole structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude 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 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91591 : Locking connectors, e.g. using male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9665 : with additional retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 : Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 : soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 : Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 : conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/001 : for adjusting a diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0071 : breakable or frangible

Abstract

A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A luminal prosthesis comprising:

a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially, wherein a radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or group of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments is separable upon expansion from an adjacent radially expandable prosthetic stent segment of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments, wherein each radially expandable prosthetic stent segment comprises distal and proximal ends with a wave pattern; and

a separate coupling structure between each of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments to couple and limit relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the separate coupling structure comprises a strand of flexible material that forms a plurality of loops that extend about the circumference of the luminal prosthesis, wherein the loops are formed by the strand of flexible material being threaded axially and circumferentially through openings in the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments such that each of the loops encircles at least two adjacent expandable prosthetic stent segment ends, and wherein each of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments have a wall with openings therein, the strand of flexible material being threaded axially and circumferentially threaded about the entire circumference and through multiple openings in each of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments, and wherein each opening in the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments is defined by a first curved side, a second curved side, a first straight side, and a second straight side, the first curved side couples to a first end of the first straight side and a first end of the second straight side, and the second curved side couples to a second end of the first straight side and to a second end of the second straight side, and wherein the first and second straight sides are spaced apart from each other;

wherein severing the coupling structure permits the radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or a group of radially expandable prosthetic segments to separate from the adjacent radially expandable prosthetic stent segment of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or the group of radially expandable prosthetic segments.

2. The luminal prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the flexible strand of material comprises a polymer thread.

3. The luminal prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments are arranged axially in an interleaving manner.

4. The luminal prosthesis of claim 1, wherein each of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments comprises a first end and a second end wherein the first end comprises a first plurality of crests and troughs and the second end comprises a second plurality of crests and troughs.

5. The luminal prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the separate coupling structure couples the crests of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments together.

6. The luminal prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the first and second straight sides are parallel to each other.

7. The luminal prosthesis of the claim 1, comprising third and fourth straight sides, wherein the third and fourth straight sides couple to peaks or troughs of the first and second curved sides.

8. The luminal prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the first curved side and the second curved side curve in a same direction such that the first curved side and the second curved side are parallel with one another.

9. The luminal prosthesis of claim 8, wherein each opening is formed by parallel first and second straight sides and parallel first and second curved sides.

10. A luminal prosthesis comprising:

a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially, wherein a radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or group of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments is separable upon expansion from an adjacent radially expandable prosthetic stent segment of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments, wherein each radially expandable prosthetic stent segment comprises distal and proximal ends with a wave pattern; and

a separate coupling structure between each of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments to couple and limit relative axial movement therebetween, wherein the separate coupling structure comprises a strand of flexible material, and wherein each of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments have a wall with openings therein, the strand of flexible material being threaded axially and circumferentially threaded about the entire circumference and through multiple openings in each of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments, and wherein each opening in the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments is defined by a first curved side, a second curved side, a first straight side, and a second straight side, the first curved side couples to a first end of the first straight side and a first end of the second straight side, and the second curved side couples to a second end of the first straight side and to a second end of the second straight side, and wherein the first and second straight sides are spaced apart from each other, wherein the first curved side and the second curved side curve in a same direction such that the first curved side and the second curved side are parallel with one another such that each opening is formed by parallel first and second straight sides and parallel first and second curved sides;

wherein severing the coupling structure permits the radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or a group of radially expandable prosthetic segments to separate from the adjacent radially expandable prosthetic stent segment of the plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the radially expandable prosthetic stent segment or the group of radially expandable prosthetic segments.

11. The luminal prosthesis of claim 10, wherein the strand of flexible material forms a plurality of loops that extend about the circumference of the luminal prosthesis, wherein the loops are formed by the strand of flexible material being threaded axially and circumferentially through openings in the radially expandable prosthetic stent segments such that each of the loops encircles at least two adjacent expandable prosthetic stent segment ends.