Stent/graft assembly

Abstract

A stent / graft assembly includes a tubular graft having an upstream end, a downstream end and a tubular passage between the ends. The assembly also includes a tubular stent having an upstream end, a downstream end and a tubular passage. The upstream end of the tubular graft is affixed in substantially end-to-end relationship with the downstream end of the tubular stent. The affixation may employ sutures, bonding, hooks or the like. The end-to-end connection may also require a slight overlapping to ensure an adequate affixation. The end-to-end disposition of the tubular graft and tubular stent reduces the cross-sectional profile of the stent / graft assembly. One or more wires may extend from the tubular stent through the tubular graft for anchoring near the downstream end of the tubular graft. The wire prevents axial collapsing of the tubular graft and provide radial support for the tubular graft.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10 / 299,882 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 961,825 and which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 900,241.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The subject invention relates to a stent and graft assembly for treating vascular anomalies, such as aneurysms. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Vascular anomalies are considered to include blood vessels that are damaged, weakened or otherwise impaired. The anomaly may include a local change in the cross-sectional dimensions of the blood vessel. For example, aneurysms include a local area where a blood vessel expands to a larger cross-sectional area due to disease, weakening or other damage. [0006] The aorta extends from the heart and through the abdomen. The abdominal aorta then feeds abdominal organs and the right and left iliac arteries that bring blood to the right and left legs...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is an endovascular graft assembly that includes a tubular graft and a fixation device. The graft and fixation device are connected in an end-to-end relationship, with little or no longitudinal overlap between them. The fixation device is a tubular stent or a plurality of hooks that extend from the graft. The assembly also includes an internal stent to provide radial support for the graft and a support to prevent the graft from collapsing or to provide radial outward support for the graft. The endovascular graft assembly has advantages over traditional grafts and stents, including easier insertion and enhanced fixation. The patent text also describes the various ways in which the graft and fixation device can be connected in end-to-end relationship with a tubular stent."

Problems solved by technology

The aorta is prone to aneurysms.

Aortic aneurysms that are not treated in a timely manner can lead to rupture, occlusion, infection or the production of emboli which can flow downstream and occlude a smaller blood vessel.

A ruptured aortic aneurysm typically is fatal due to a loss of the large volume of blood that flows through the abdominal aorta.

However, the coaxially and longitudinally coextensive arrangement of the stent and graft has resulted in a cross-sectionally large assembly.

A cross-sectionally large graft and stent assembly can be difficult to insert and deliver intravascularly to the damaged section of the blood vessel and may require surgery.

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