Stent Graft Delivery System Handle

Abstract

A system for implanting a prosthesis includes a prosthesis delivery device having a handle with a longitudinal axis and a lumen control assembly an intermediate lumen connected to the lumen control assembly and having a distal end, a prosthesis sheath at the distal end of the intermediate lumen for holding therein a prosthesis to be implanted, and an outer lumen fixedly connected to the handle with respect to the longitudinal axis about the intermediate lumen. The lumen control assembly is operable to selectively move the intermediate lumen with the prosthesis sheath between a retracted position in which, when a prosthesis is disposed within the prosthesis sheath, both the prosthesis sheath and the prosthesis are disposed within the outer lumen and an extended position in which, when the prosthesis is disposed within the prosthesis sheath, a portion of the prosthesis sheath containing the prosthesis is disposed outside the outer lumen.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application: [0002] claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 833,533, filed Jul. 26, 2006; [0003] is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 701,867, filed Feb. 1, 2007, which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 765,449, filed Feb. 3, 2006, and 60 / 833,533, filed Jul. 26, 2006; and [0004] is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10 / 784,462, filed Feb. 23, 2004, and 10 / 884,136, filed Jul. 2, 2004, which applications claim the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 499,652, filed Sep. 3, 2003, and 60 / 500,155, filed Sep. 4, 2003, [0005] is a continuation in part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11 / 348,176, filed Feb. 6, 2006, 11 / 353,927, filed Feb. 13, 2006, 11 / 449,337, filed Jun. 8, 2006, 11 / 699,700, filed Jan. 30, 2007, 11 / 699,70...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0041] The invention provides a handle assembly in an endovascular stent graft delivery system and a method for operating the handle assembly that overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provides a vessel repair device that implants / conforms more efficiently within the natural or diseased course of the aorta by aligning with the natural curve of the aorta, decreases the likelihood of vessel puncture, increases the blood-tight vascular connection, retains the intraluminal wall of the vessel position, is more resistant to migration, and delivers the stent graft into a curved vessel while minimizing intraluminal forces imparted during delivery and while minimizing the forces needed for a user to deliver the stent graft into a curved vessel.

[0051] In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the lumen control assembly is operable to longitudinally lock the inner lumen to the outer lumen and, thereby, keep the inner lumen substantially stationary along the longitudinal axis when the prosthesis sheath and the intermediate lumen are moved in a proximal direction along the longitudinal axis to unsheath a prosthesis contained in the prosthesis sheath.

Problems solved by technology

Because blood flow within the lumen of the graft could be impaired if the framework was disposed on the interior wall of the graft, the framework is connected typically to the exterior wall of the graft.

One of the significant dangers in endovascular graft technology is the possibility of the graft migrating from the desired position in which it is installed.

When the introducer system holding the stent graft positioned in an appropriate location in the vessel and allowed to open, the radial force imparted by the self-expanding framework is helpful, but, sometimes, not entirely sufficient, in endoluminally securing the stent graft within the vessel.

Thus, the rips in the graft body can lead to the possibility of the exposed stent moving with respect to the graft and of the graft body ripping further.

Such points, however, create a very significant possibility of piercing the vessel.

Even though the end-most portion of the stent is curved, because it is relatively narrow, it still creates the possibility of piercing the vessel wall.

All of these prior art stents suffer from the disadvantageous characteristic that the relatively sharp proximal apices of the exposed stents have a shape that is likely to puncture the vessel wall.

Therefore, a device having unsecured stents, could behave like an accordion or concertina with each systolic pulsation, and may have a tendency to migrate downstream.

Such movement is entirely undesirable.

Thus, the material 8 cannot provide support in the longitudinal extent of the stent graft.

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