Biological stent-graft

Abstract

A biological stent-graft and a method of making the same wherein a stent is surgically implanted in the lumen of an artery of a mammal, harvesting the stent-graft precursor after the stent has been incorporated into artery wall, fixing the harvested stent-graft precursor, and washing the same to yield a biological stent-graft.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 382,097, filed on May 21, 2002.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]As the name implies, a stent-graft is the combination of a flexible, compressible conduit, or graft, and a structural framework, or stent. The graft is a continuous sealed walled conduit surrounding a central plenum opened at opposing ends for the transport of blood or other body fluids. The graft is used to bridge diseased or weakened portions of vessels, or other corporeal lumen.[0003]Problems with the Current Supported Grafts[0004]The structural functions of a stent and graft are difficult to incorporate into a single integral unit, because each has a different function and each requires different material properties. Hence, the use of two distinct components. The connection of one component to another has been problematic. In most applications, the stent-graft is introduced in a collapsed state into the vessel. After the stent-graft is ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Problems with the Current Supported Grafts

The structural functions of a stent and graft are difficult to incorporate into a single integral unit, because each has a different function and each requires different material properties.

The connection of one component to another has been problematic.

But none achieve full integration.

The resulting problems from the lack of full integration include micro-movement, poor contact with surrounding lumen, and restriction of the lumen, and the like.

Micromovement between the stent and graft can lead to graft erosion.

Lack of contact between the stent and graft can lead to perigraft leakage, i.e. leakage of body fluids around the outer wall of the graft, especially when the stent is on the outside of the graft.

In addition redundant folds of graft which is a problem with dual layer sandwich graft-stents, can fold into the lumen, occluding or impeding blood flow or other bodily fluid flow.