Endovascular aneurysm devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for implanting prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners to at least one prosthesis end. The fasteners are usually helical fasteners which are releasably restrained on the fastener driver, and are delivered by rotation of the fastener driver. The fasteners may be applied singly, typically in circumferentially spaced-apart patterns about the interior of at least one end of the prosthesis. A lumen extension or lumens may be coupled to the prosthesis to extend the reach of the prosthesis within the implantation site. Fasteners may also be applied to the lumen extensions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 254,116, filed Oct. 20, 2005, and entitled “Devices, Systems, and Methods for Prosthesis Delivery and Implantation,” which is incorporated herein by reference. This application also is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 692,283, filed Oct. 23, 2003, and entitled “Prosthesis Delivery Systems and Methods,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 488,753, filed Jul. 21, 2003, and entitled “Endoprosthesis Delivery Systems and Methods.” This application also is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 786,465, filed Feb. 25 2004, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Attaching a Prosthesis Within a Body Lumen or Hollow Organ.” This application is also a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 693,255, filed Jun. 24, 2005, entitled “Mu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] One aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a guide defining an access path into a vessel or hollow body organ and a fastener applier comprising a catheter sized and configured for introduction along the access path to a site targeted for implantation of at least one fastener. The guide includes a distal region with terminus. The fastener applier includes an actuated member that is selectively operable to generate an implantation force to implant the at least one fastener within tissue at the site. According to this aspect of the invention, the catheter includes indicia visible to a naked eye to mark when the actuated member rests at a desired distance along the access path short of the terminus of the distal region and is therefore still out of contact with tissue. The visible indicia makes it possible for the physician, without resort to fluoroscopic visualization or other visualizations techniques that augment human sight, to always know whether the fastener is within or outside the guide.

[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a fluid seal assembly usable in association with, e.g., a catheter assembly including an operative element that, in use, is exposed to a body fluid, a control element, a control filament coupled at one end to the control element and to an opposite end to the operative element. In this arrangement, the seal assembly is positioned between the control element and the operative element, and the control filament passes through the seal assembly to prevent contact between the body fluid and the control element.

[0013] According to this aspect of the invention, the seal assembly comprises a first seal component with at least one guide tube formed therein, and a second seal component with at least one guide tube formed therein. The second seal component registers with the first seal component with at least one guide tube in the second component coaxially aligned with at least one guide tube in the first component. A septum is sandwiched between the first and second seal components. The septum accommodates passage of the control filament from one the coaxially aligned guide tubes, through the septum, to the other one of the coaxially aligned guide tubes, thereby providing a fluid seal for the control filament that prevents the control element from contacting body fluid to which the operative element is exposed during use.

Problems solved by technology

The weakening of a vessel wall from damage or disease can lead to vessel dilatation and the formation of an aneurysm.

Left untreated, an aneurysm can grow in size and may eventually rupture.

The rupture of an aortic aneurysm results in massive hemorrhaging and has a high rate of mortality.

The prosthesis for these procedures are usually unsupported woven tubes and are typically made from polyester, ePTFE or other suitable materials.

However, these procedures require a large surgical incision and have a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

In addition, many patients are unsuitable for this type of major surgery due to other co-morbidities.

These prosthesis attachment means do not provide the same level of attachment when compared to suture and can damage the native vessel upon deployment.

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