Methods and apparatus for treatment of aneurysms adjacent branch arteries

Abstract

A polymer coating/ring is employed to aid in the sealing and connection of modular elements used in body flow lumens for the exclusion and bypass of diseased regions of the flow lumen, such as where aneurysm occurs adjacent to branching blood vessels.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The field of the invention is the treatment of vascular abnormalities. More particularly, the field of the invention is the treatment of vascular abnormalities by placing an excluding device in a blood vessel to exclude or bypass an abnormality, including placing such an excluding device in an area near one or more branch vessels so as to bypass the abnormality, but not occlude the branch vessel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]“Aortic aneurysm” is the term used to describe a condition where a segment of the aorta is dilated to a diameter greater than its original diameter. Aneurysms can occur in virtually any region of the vasculature including the aorta in the abdominal and thoracic regions. Aortic aneurysms are caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure (hypertension), genetic disposition such as Marfan's Syndrome, trauma, or less common disorders. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause. [0003] Where dilation meets...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Embodiments according to the present invention address aneurysm repair and in situ positional stability of a device used for aneurysm repair. Specifically, embodiments according to the present invention provide methods and apparatus for use in the treatment of aneurysms located near branch vessels, using modular, sectional-type stent grafts that exclude the aneurysmal region without blocking or otherwise impeding the flow of blood to branch arteries. Additionally, these modular stent grafts provide a tight seal between sections. Although the specification provides specific configurations for use in abdominal and thoracic locations, stent grafts according to the invention are readily applicable to uses in other aneurysmal locations where branch vessels or other flow lumen discontinuities are present. Stent graft features according to the invention can also be used in all modular components of a stent graft that do not necessarily relate to branch vessels, including junctions between main modular elements and other stent graft extensions such as cuffs.

[0008] Thus, in one embodiment according to the invention there is provided a modular exclusion device useful for implantation in an aneurysmal site in a blood vessel having a branch vessel near the aneurysmal site comprising: a main body with at least one aperture; at least one insert with an insertion end, where a polymeric compound is disposed within the aperture of the main body, on the insertion end of the insert, or both within the aperture of the main body and on the insertion end of the insert, and where the polymeric compound comes into contact with both the aperture of the main body and the insertion end of the insert when the insertion end of the insert is disposed within the aperture of the main body. In addition, an embodiment provides a method of treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel having a branch vessel near the aneurysm, comprising deploying a modular exclusion device comprising a main body with at least one aperture; deploying at least one insert with an insertion end, where a polymeric compound is disposed within the aperture of the main body, on the insertion end of the insert or both within the aperture of the main body and on the insertion end of the insert, and where the polymeric compound comes into contact with both the aperture of the main body and the insertion end of the insert when the insertion end of the insert is disposed within the aperture of the main body.

Problems solved by technology

Without intervention, the aneurysm may continue to expand, leading to the possibility of tearing or rupture of the aorta, and death.

The proximity of an aneurysm to a branch artery may limit the use of an excluding device such as a tubular stent graft, as the main body or ends of the tubular stent graft may occlude or block the branch arteries due to the need to position the stent graft to seal against a healthy, i.e., undiseased or dilated portion of the artery wall.

There may be an inadequate length of healthy tissue for the stent graft to seal against in the area between the aneurysmal region of the artery and the location of the branch arteries, or, even if the stent graft initially is located without blocking a branch artery, there still is a risk of migration of the exclusion device to a position where it may partially or fully block a branch artery, since aneurysms of the descending aorta commonly occur above and adjacent to the celiac trunk, superior mesenteric and renal arteries.

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