Intraluminal Graft

Abstract

An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to an intraluminal graft for use in treatment of aneurysms or occlusive diseases.BACKGROUND ART[0002]It is known to use stents and intraluminal grafts of various designs for the treatment of aneurysms such as aortal aneurysms and for the treatment of occlusive diseases such as the occlusion of blood vessels or like ducts such as the bile duct and the ureter (which are all hereinafter called “vessels”). It is known to form such an intraluminal graft of a sleeve in which is disposed a plurality of self expanding wire stents (see Balko A. et al., “Transfemoral Placement of Intraluminal Polyurethane Prosthesis for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms”, Journal of Surgical Research 40, 305-309 (1986); Mirich D. et al, “Percutaneously Placed Endovascular Grafts for Aortic Aneurysms: Feasibility Study” Radiology, Vol. 170, No. 3, part 2, 1033-1037 (1989)). Such intraluminal grafts are inserted through the femoral artery into the aorta in a ca...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to an intraluminal graft that is reinforced along its length by a plurality of separate, spaced-apart, maleable wires. These wires are designed to prevent the graft from moving longitudinally within the vessel after placement. The graft is introduced into the vessel using a catheter and inflated balloon until the wires are in contact with the inside surface of the vessel. The wires are designed to bell outwardly and be embedded into the vessel wall, resisting any tendency for the graft to move. The graft is made of a thin, biocompatible material such as Dacron or PTFE, which is crimped along its length to increase its flexibility. The graft is reinforced by the wires, which are formed of stainless steel or another metal or plastic that is maleable and biocompatible. The wires are interwoven with the graft body, preventing separation during use. The technical effect of this invention is to provide a reinforced graft that can be securely placed within a vessel and resist movement.

Problems solved by technology

There are a number of problems associated with such known grafts.

These include the problem of twisting or kinking of the graft when it has to extend along a non-linear path which, twisting or kinking can lead to occlusion of the luman of the graft; lack of precise control of the expansion of the graft in the lumen; avoidance of inadvertent separation of a supporting stent and the covering sleeve; and maintaining the graft against longitudinal movement along the lumen in which it is placed.

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