Vessel implant for the treatment of an aneurysm

Abstract

The invention relates to a vessel implant for the treatment of an aneurysm, i.e. a dilatation of the cross-sectional area of a blood vessel, comprising an elongate body which has an inlet opening, an outlet opening and a passage connecting the inlet opening to the outlet opening for blood flowing through the blood vessel, with the passage being bounded in the peripheral direction by a blood-impermeable wall, and with the inlet opening having a larger cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to German Patent Application Number 10 2007 019 058.3, filed Apr. 23, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a vessel implant for the treatment of an aneurysm, comprising an elongate body which has an inlet opening, an outlet opening as well as a passage connecting the inlet opening with the outlet opening for blood flowing through the blood vessel, with the passage being bounded in the peripheral direction by a blood-impermeable wall.[0004]An aneurysm is a pathological, spatially restricted dilatation, swelling or expansion of a flood vessel, in particular of an artery. Aneurysms can occur at any section of an artery. Abdominal aortic aneurysms or aneurysms at the popliteal artery occur particularly frequently. Dilated blood vessels are subject to a high risk of rupture so that ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]This effect even occurs when the vessel implant is not completely sealed at the inlet opening side. The risk of a rupture of the vessel wall of the aneurysm can thus be effectively reduced using the vessel implant made in accordance with the invention.

[0013]Since a seal of the aneurysm at the downstream side by the vessel implant is not required and does not even have to be 100% upstream of the seal, the vessel implant can also be used in those cases in which a sealing fixing at the blood vessel is not possible upstream and / or downstream of the aneurysm. Since a seal is not necessary downstream of the aneurysm, the vessel implant in accordance with the invention can also be used with an abdominal aortic aneurysm which starts directly at the branch to the two femoral arteries. A fixation downstream of the aneurysm can either be dispensed with or a blood-permeable fixation can be used. For an abdominal aortic aneurysm starting directly at the branches to the two renal arteries, the vessel implant can be provided with a fixation section which in particular adjoins the inlet opening of the body directly and which is made blood-permeable in order not to close the branches to the renal arteries.

Problems solved by technology

There is, however, the problem with these solutions that small leaks can frequently occur, due to insufficient adaptation to the vessel, between the stent and that region of the vessel wall of the blood vessel at which the stent is fixed.

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