Apparatus and methods for selectively stenting a portion of a vessel wall
First Claim
1. Apparatus for treating an abnormality in a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular member including an end region configured to circumferentially engage a first portion of the vessel adjacent to the abnormality;
a mid-region of the tubular member comprising a plurality of members having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a second portion of the vessel, the second portion being circumferentially smaller than the first portion and less than a full circumference of the vessel, the plurality of members adapted to span the abnormality; and
a delivery system comprising a first catheter having a distal end adapted to support the tubular member and the mid-region, the first catheter having a lumen and a first gear disposed within the lumen for orienting the mid-region so that it spans the abnormality, wherein a retractable sheath retains the tubular member on the first catheter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating vascular abnormalities in highly tortuous vessels are provided comprising a stent having at least one end region that engages a first portion of a circumference of a vessel in a region adjacent to an abnormality to anchor the stent, and a mid-region that engages a second portion of the circumference of the vessel wall to span the abnormality, the second portion having a smaller circumferential extent than the first portion. The mid-region includes a plurality of members that span the abnormality and form a lattice that occludes the abnormality. A delivery system also is provided to deliver the stent within a parent artery and orient the mid-region of the stent to span the abnormality.
375 Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for treating an abnormality in a vessel, the apparatus comprising:
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a tubular member including an end region configured to circumferentially engage a first portion of the vessel adjacent to the abnormality;
a mid-region of the tubular member comprising a plurality of members having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a second portion of the vessel, the second portion being circumferentially smaller than the first portion and less than a full circumference of the vessel, the plurality of members adapted to span the abnormality; and
a delivery system comprising a first catheter having a distal end adapted to support the tubular member and the mid-region, the first catheter having a lumen and a first gear disposed within the lumen for orienting the mid-region so that it spans the abnormality, wherein a retractable sheath retains the tubular member on the first catheter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
the first gear comprises a lumen that permits the guide wire tip to extend beyond the distal end of the first catheter into the vessel.
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14. Apparatus for deploying a prosthesis to treat a region of a vessel, the prosthesis having a feature that is adapted to be aligned with the region, the apparatus comprising:
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a flexible catheter having a distal end adapted to support the prosthesis, a lumen and a first gear disposed within the lumen, the first gear rotating the flexible catheter to orient the feature so that it is aligned with the region;
a torsion catheter configured for insertion into the lumen of the flexible catheter, the torsion catheter comprising an electrical conductor, a distal end, and a second gear disposed on the distal end, the second gear configured to engage the first gear when the torsion catheter is inserted in the lumen; and
a controller that supplies radio-frequency power to the second gear via the electrical conductor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
the second gear comprises a guide wire tip; and
the first gear comprises a lumen that permits the guide wire tip to extend beyond the distal end of the flexible catheter into the vessel.
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17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein:
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the first gear comprises a cylindrical portion and a stepped portion having an engagement surface; and
the second gear comprises a cylindrical portion and a stepped portion having an engagement surface that mates with the engagement surface of the first gear.
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18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first gear further comprises a longitudinally-oriented marker band.
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19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the prosthesis is mounted on the catheter by a thermally activated adhesive or polymer.
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20. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the prosthesis is mounted on the catheter by an electrically erodible wire.
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21. Apparatus for deploying a prosthesis to treat a region of a vessel, the prosthesis having a feature that is adapted to be aligned with the region, the apparatus comprising:
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a flexible catheter having a distal end adapted to support the prosthesis, a lumen and a first gear disposed within the lumen, the first gear rotating the flexible catheter to orient the feature so that it is aligned with the region, wherein a retractable sheath retains the prosthesis on the catheter.
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22. A method of treating an abnormality at a treatment site within a vessel, the method comprising:
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providing a stent having a tubular end region comprising at least one curved section having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a first portion of the vessel, and a mid-region comprising a plurality of members having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a second portion of the vessel, the second portion being circumferentially smaller than the first portion and less than a full circumference of the vessel;
providing a delivery system for deploying the stent, the delivery system comprising a first catheter having a distal end configured to support the stent, a lumen, and a first gear disposed within the lumen, and a second catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a second gear disposed on the distal end;
transluminally disposing the stent at the treatment site;
inserting the second catheter into the lumen of the first catheter;
engaging the second gear with the first gear;
aligning the mid-region of the stent so that the plurality of members span the abnormality, by rotating a proximal end of the second catheter using the first gear to rotate the distal end of the first catheter;
providing a controller that outputs a radio-frequency power; and
coupling the controller to the second catheter to release the stent from the distal end of the first catheter. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. A method of treating an abnormality at a treatment site within a vessel, the method comprising:
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providing a stent having tubular end region comprising at least one curved section having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a first portion of the vessel, and a mid-region comprising a plurality of members having a convex outer surface that is configured to engage a second portion of the vessel, the second portion being circumferentially smaller than the first portion;
providing a delivery system for deploying the stent, the delivery system comprising a first catheter having a distal end configured to receive the stent, a lumen, and a first gear disposed within the lumen;
transluminally disposing the stent at the treatment site;
aligning the mid-region of the stent so that the plurality of members span the abnormality by operating the first gear to rotate the distal end of the first catheter, and wherein a retractable sheath retains the stent on the first catheter; and
retracting the sheath to release the stent from the first catheter.
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Specification