Abstract:
A stent graft (40) for treating Type-A dissections in the ascending aorta (22) is provided with a plurality of diameter-reducing suture loops (56-60) operable to constrain the stent graft during deployment thereof in a patient's aorta. The diameter-reducing loops (56-60) allow the stent graft (40) to be partially deployed, in such a manner that its location can be precisely adjusted in the patient's lumen. In this manner, the stent graft can be placed just by the coronary arteries (26, 28) with confidence that these will not be blocked. The stent graft (40) is also provided with proximal and distal bare stents (44,52) for anchoring purposes.
Abstract:
A stent graft (10) includes a tubular graft element (12) to which there are attached a plurality of stent rings (14). The stent rings (14) are formed of a plurality of stent struts (16) arranged in a zig-zag arrangement with alternating peaks (18) and valleys (20). The end-most stent (22) is located at the proximal end (24) of the graft tube (12). Between adjacent peaks (18) of the end-most stent (22), there is provided a series of bridging elements (28). These are preferably formed of Nitinol wire and to be substantially more flexible than the stent struts (14). The bridging elements (28) extend in the region of graft material between adjacent stent peaks (18) and are attached to the graft material, for example by suturing. The bridging elements (28) are substantially more flexible than the stent ring (22) and therefore impart little opening force on the graft material in comparison to the force produced by the stent ring (22). However, the bridging elements (28) impart enough force on the flaps (26) of graft material between the peaks (18) of the stent ring (28) keep these flaps (26) open, that is against the vessel wall. The bridging elements (28) can provide integral barbs (30).
Abstract:
An introducer assembly (100) including at its distal end a dilator tip (20) and an inner catheter for supporting an implantable medical device (1) for deployment, is provided with a plurality of strut elements (102, 202) extending from the dilator tip (20) to the proximal end of the medical device (1 ). The strut elements (102, 202) act to apply both a pulling and a pushing force against the proximal end of the medical device (1), having the effect of assisting in the correct positioning of the proximal end of the medical device in a patient's lumen, particularly where this is curved such as with the aortic arch. The strut elements (102, 202) form part of the introducer assembly and are removed from the patient following the deployment procedure. The device avoids the need for bare stents at the end of a stent graft.
Abstract:
An endoluminal prosthesis includes a support structure comprising a curvilinear portion having a first strut and a second strut that meet at an apex. Disposed on the support structure is an anchor (25) with an anchor body and one or more barbs (21) extending outwardly from the anchor body. The anchor body fits at least partially about, and conforms to the first strut, second strut, and the apex.
Abstract:
An introducer assembly (10) includes a guide wire catheter (12), a pusher element (16), an external manipulation unit (28) and an external sheath (30). The distal end (18) of the pusher element (16) is bonded, with adhesive or other bonding agent (32), to the guide wire catheter (12) so as to fix these components together at the distal end (18) of the pusher element (16). This reduces twisting of the pusher element (16) relative to the guide wire catheter (12) and thus twisting of any implantable medical device carried on the introducer assembly (10). This can reduce incorrect deployment of the implantable medical device and reduce instances of an abortive medical procedure. In addition, such bonding increases the torque resistance of the guide wire catheter (12) and pusher element (16) to reduce overall twisting at the distal end of the introducer assembly (10).