Method and apparatus for bilateral intra-aortic bypass

Abstract

A bilateral intra-aortic bypass graft and method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm includes two tubular grafts which are intraluminally delivered to the aorta and secured to the aorta by the expansion and deformation of two expandable and deformable tubular members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a bilateral intra-aortic bypass graft for intraluminal delivery, and a method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.2. Description of the Prior ArtAn abdominal aortic aneurysm is a sac caused by an abnormal dilation of the wall of the aorta, a major artery of the body, as it passes through the abdomen. The abdomen is that portion of the body which lies between the thorax and the pelvis. It contains a cavity, known as the abdominal cavity, separated by the diaphragm from the thoracic cavity and lined with a serous membrane, the peritoneum. The aorta is the :main trunk, or artery, from which the systemic arterial system proceeds. It arises from the left ventricle of the heart, passes upward, bends over and passes down through the thorax and through the abdomen to about the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra, where it divides into the two common iliac arteries.The aneurysm usually arises in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The bilateral intra-aortic bypass graft for intraluminal delivery, and method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm of the present invention, when compared to previously proposed prior art grafts and methods and apparatus for repairing aneurysms, are believed to have the advantages of: a lower mortality rate; shortened recovery periods; not requiring suturing a graft to the aorta; utilizing the existing aortic wall and thrombosis therein to support and reinforce the aortic graft; being suitable for use with patients having other chronic illnesses; being less susceptible to kinking and / or twisting of the graft and permitting the use of a small diameter delivery system.

Problems solved by technology

When left untreated, the aneurysm will eventually cause rupture of the sac with ensuing fatal hemorrhaging in a very short time.

Surgery involving the abdominal wall, however, is a major undertaking with associated high risks.

There, is considerable mortality and morbidity associated with this magnitude of surgical intervention, which in essence involves replacing the diseased and aneurysmal segment of blood vessel with a prosthetic device which typically is a synthetic tube, or graft, usually fabricated of either DACRON.RTM., TEFLON.RTM., or other suitable material.

Thus, if the patient is not receiving routine examinations, it is possible that the aneurysm will progress to the rupture stage, wherein the mortality rates are significantly higher.

Disadvantages associated with the conventional, prior art surgery, in addition to the high mortality rate, are: the extended recovery period associated with such surgery; difficulties in suturing the graft or tube, to the aorta; the loss of the existing thrombosis to support and reinforce the graft; the unsuitability of the surgery for many patients having abdominal aortic aneurysms; and the problems associated with the performing the surgery on an emergency basis after the aneurysm has ruptured.

Since the graft must be secured, or sutured, to the remaining portion of the aorta, it is many times difficult to perform the suturing step because of thrombosis present on the remaining portion of the aorta, and that remaining portion of the aorta wall may many times be friable, or easily crumbled.

Since the thrombosis is totally removed in the prior art surgery, the new graft does not have the benefit of the previously existing thrombosis therein, which could be utilized to support and reinforce the graft, were the graft to be able to be inserted within the existing thrombosis.

Since many patients having abdominal aortic aneurysms have other chronic illnesses, such as heart, lung, liver and / or kidney disease, coupled with the fact that many of these patients are older, the average age being approximately 67 years old, these patients are not ideal candidates for such surgery, which is considered major surgery.

Such patients have difficulties in surviving the operation.

Lastly, once the aneurysm has ruptured, it is difficult to perform a conventional surgery on an expedited basis because of the extent of the surgery.

Because of the relatively large diameter of the catheter and associated graft necessary for implantation within the aorta, some difficulties have been sometimes encountered, such as spasms associated with the access body vessel such as the femoral artery.

Additional problems sometimes encountered with this method or repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm have been kinking and / or twisting of the flexible, collapsible graft during and / or after implantation of the graft.

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