EP2136739A1

EP2136739A1 - Stent with vessel valve

Info

Publication number: EP2136739A1
Application number: EP08706389A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jérôme BERNHARD; Rolf Jenni
Original assignee: Universitaet Zuerich; Carag AG
Current assignee: Universitaet Zuerich; Carag AG
Priority date: 2007-03-22
Filing date: 2008-03-06
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: US20100121423A1; RU2469681C2; RU2009137086A; WO2008113193A1; CN101641062A

Abstract

The invention relates to a stent that comprises a single sinus section and is preferably provided at the proximal end thereof with a native vessel valve (26). The stent comprises a first and a second hollow-cylindrical section (10, 11) having a first and a second diameter each, and a third section (12) disposed therebetween having a third maximum diameter. The third maximum diameter is greater than the first and second diameters and forms the sinus section. The stent according to the invention with the single sinus has an increased functionality. Particularly when used with a graft with a sinus and vessel valve, the functionality of the stent is secured and the wear is diminished. The stent is particularly suitable for native valves and particularly as a pulmonary valve replacement.

Description

STENT WITH TIP

Technical area

The invention relates to a stent according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and to a stent having a vessel flap arranged therein according to the preamble of patent claim 4.

State of the art

Stents are posts or scaffolds that are inserted into body passageways to keep them open. Usually they are brought in compressed form by means of a catheter to the desired location within a human or animal body and unfolded there. The unfolding can be achieved, for example, with balloon support, by spring action of the stent itself or thanks to shape memory. Usually, the stent is formed lattice-shaped.

Stents are best known as vascular supports for blood vessels, in particular for coronary vessels, in order to prevent reocclusion after their expansion. However, stents are also used in cancer treatment to keep open the airway, biliary and esophageal constrictions caused by malignant tumors after dilation. Other applications are known.

US Pat. No. 6,475,237 discloses a stent composed of several discrete sections, wherein the composite areas of the stent have nodes with a larger one

Diameter form. US 2003/021450 shows a stent with three hollow cylindrical sections, the two outer sections each having a larger diameter than the middle section.

US 2004/0082989 and US 2003/0236567 show stents with widenings for better fixation of the stents in the vessel.

U.S. 4,816,029 and U.S. 5,469,868 disclose stents having a heart valve sewn therein.

US 2003/0009236 shows a prosthesis with a sine and a stent placed therein.

US2003 / 0139805 describes a passage in the form of a cylindrical prosthesis with an extension at one end and a prosthetic heart valve mounted therein.

Also in US 2001/0049553 a prosthesis is disclosed to replace an aortic passageway. Also, this prosthesis has at one end to a sinus, in which a heart valve can be sewn. In one embodiment, this end merges into a short cylindrical section, which, however, has a larger diameter than the section formed on the opposite side of the sinusoid.

US 6,375,679 discloses a sine of polyurethane with a prosthetic valve.

Presentation of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a stent which allows optimal flow behavior. This object is achieved by a stent having the features of patent claim 1.

The stent according to the invention for keeping open a body passage, in particular a blood vessel, has a single sinus section and a native vessel flap. As a result, it mimics the natural shape of the vessel, and thanks to this extension, it can be better placed and anchored in the vessel wall. Furthermore, thanks to the widening cross section, it optimizes the flow conditions of the body fluid, in particular the blood, in the body passage. The load on the flap is reduced. The native vessel valve may be of human or animal origin. For example, a native jugular venous valve can be used, such as the jugular vein valve of a horse as a pulmonary valve replacement.

Preferably, the stent has first and second hollow cylindrical portions each having first and second diameters and a third portion having a third maximum diameter disposed therebetween, the third maximum diameter being greater than the first and second diameters and wherein forms the sinus section. As a result, there is an area of the body passage before and after the sinus section which, thanks to the stent, is kept open in a predefined diameter.

The stent can be used in the form of a lattice framework or mesh without further elements. In a preferred embodiment, however, the stent is provided with a vessel flap, in particular an aortic valve or a pulmonary valve. This can be artificial, i. be prosthetic. Preferably, however, it is of natural or native origin. In a preferred embodiment, a valve-carrying vascular prosthesis or a valve-carrying graft, both referred to below as graft, is arranged in the intravascular stent.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a stent with a vessel flap which, in addition to the optimal flow behavior, enables optimal functioning of the flap. This object is achieved by a stent having the features of patent claim 4.

If the vessel flap is arranged in the direction of flow of the body fluid in the initial region of the third section, a lesser liquid pressure acts on the flap in the counterflow direction. The flap may be located in the third section itself or at the beginning thereof. It opens and closes better thanks to the different pressure per unit area on both sides and is therefore subject to less wear. When reversing the flow of blood, the pockets or sails of the open flap can be flown behind thanks to the sinus. This quickly closes the flap and minimizes blood backflow. The same applies of course to other body fluids. With a purely cylindrical stent, there is a risk that the sails or pockets will be pressed against the stent wall, thus delaying or not closing. The result is a leaky flap.

The operation of the flap is also improved if the first and second sections over their entire lengths have the same diameter and thus prevail the same pressure conditions.

A further advantageous embodiment of a stent according to the present invention has radially inwardly directed indentations in the region of the stent on which the pockets or sails are arranged. The indentations are made at the point of the circumference at which two different sails or pockets adjoin one another. In the region where a single sail or a single pocket is arranged along the circumference, a bulge is thereby formed. In the cross section of the stent, this results in a kind of rosette or cloverleaf in this area. This area may be in the distal or proximal area of the third portion of the stent, i. H. in the flow direction of the body fluid before or in the beginning region or in or after the end region of the third portion. In the longitudinal direction of the stent, such a recess may extend along the entire sinus section or even along the entire stent. But it is also possible, the indentations only on the

Provide location where the sails or bags are arranged or suspended. The indentations have in this case z. B. the shape of a dent in the sinus section. There the indentation is located exactly where two sails or pockets adjoin one another, the line along which the sails or flaps for closure are shortened compared to a stent without such indentations. This improves the tightness of a closed flap. At the same time, the flow area in the case of an open flap is advantageously only insignificantly reduced by the indentations. Such indentations or dents can be z. B. realize in a stent with a lattice framework as a basic body by a corresponding shape of the lattice framework.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

In the following the subject invention will be explained with reference to a preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a side view of a stent according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the stent according to FIG. 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the stent according to Figure 1 and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stent according to FIG. 1.

Ways to carry out the invention

FIG. 1 shows a preferred exemplary embodiment of a stent according to the invention in an expanded form of use. The direction of flow of the body fluid, in particular of the blood, through the body passage and thus through the stent is indicated by arrows. The left end of the stent is thus proximal and the right distal in this example.

The stent has a main body in the form of a lattice framework 1. The grid 1 may be woven or lasered or made by other suitable means. Preferably, the lattice framework 1 is made of a metal, an alloy or a plastic. It can also be made of a biodegradable material. Preferably, it is nitinol.

The lattice frame 1 has a first and a second hollow cylindrical portion

10, 11 and a third portion 12 disposed therebetween. This third section 12 has a larger diameter than the first and second sections 10,

11. It forms the only sinus of the stent.

The first and second sections 10, 11 have an equal diameter, which remains approximately equal over the entire length of the sections 10, 11, preferably even exactly.

The maximum diameters of the first and second sections 10, 11 are usually 5 to 50 mm, preferably 10 to 30 mm. The maximum diameter of the third portion 12 is usually 8 to 70 mm, preferably 12 to 35 mm. Regardless of the absolute values of the diameters, the ratio of the diameters of the first and second sections to the third section is 1: 1.1 to 1: 2 and preferably 1: 1.1 to 1: 1.4. The example shown in the drawings has a ratio of about 1: 1.23.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the lattice framework 1 does not necessarily have to have the same lattice shape over its entire length. At the distal and proximal ends of the framework 1, it transitions from a diamond-shaped grid into pointed or triangular end pieces. Other grid shapes are possible. The three sections 10, 11, 12 are preferably formed from a common grid, so that there are no seam or connection areas between the individual sections. However, the lattice framework 1 can also consist of individual, separately produced and subsequently joined together sections 10, 11, 12.

The lattice framework 1 is introduced in a known manner by means of a catheter. For this purpose, it can be squeezed transversely to its longitudinal direction or reduced by pulling in the longitudinal direction in the radial direction. In order to recover the illustrated expanded form of use, it may be self-expanding or it may be brought into this form of use by means of balloon dilatation or other suitable means. The self-expansion preferably takes place by means of elastic deformation, for example by means of spring force, or by means of shape memory.

In a simplest embodiment, the stent according to the invention can consist only of the lattice framework 1 described above.

As can now be clearly seen in FIG. 2, however, a graft 2 with a sine 22 and a vessel flap 26 is fastened in this lattice framework 1. Usually it is sewn into the lattice framework 1. However, other types of attachment are also possible, e.g. can be glued or pinned. If the graft is sewn in, then it can be fastened to the lattice frame 1 with a continuous seam around the entire circumference or with individual stitches.

The graft 2 has a sine area 22 with the flap 26 and pipe sections 20, 21 formed on both sides. These two pipe regions, i. the proximal tube portion 20 and the distal tube portion 21 are preferably abutted against the inside of the first and second portions 10, 11, respectively.

The flap 2 has, depending on the type sails or pockets 23, 24, 25. These are arranged in the direction of flow of the body fluid before or in the initial region of the sinusoidal section 12. In the case illustrated here, this means that it is arranged at the proximal end of the sinusoidal section 12. Preferably, flap 26 is used as an aortic or pulmonary valve replacement. The flap itself can be of another origin. For example, a native jugular venous valve can be used. It is preferably a native valve of human or animal origin. In the example shown here, a jugular vein flap of a horse is used as a pulmonary valve replacement with the three pocket flaps 23, 24, 25, which are clearly visible in FIG.

Instead of a graft with sinus and flap, a simple vessel flap, in particular a heart valve, can also be fastened in the lattice framework.

The erfmdungsgemäße stent with its single sinus has increased functionality. In particular, when used with a graft with sinus or another vessel flap their functionality is ensured and reduces the wear. It is particularly suitable for native valves, in particular as a pulmonary valve replacement.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 lattice framework

10 first section (proximal) 11 second section (distal)

12 third section (sinus)

2 graft

20 proximal tube area

21 distal tube area

22 sinus area

23 first bag

24 second bag

25 third bag

26 damper flap

Claims

claims

1. A stent for holding open a body passage, in particular a blood vessel, characterized in that the stent has a single sinusoidal section (12) and a vessel flap (26), wherein the vessel flap (26) is a native vessel flap.

2. Stent according to claim 1, wherein it has a first and a second hollow cylindrical portion (10, 11) each having a first and a second diameter and a third portion (12) having a third maximum diameter arranged therebetween, the third maximum diameter is greater than the first and second diameters and where it forms the sinusoidal section.

3. A stent according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the vessel flap (26) is given by an aortic or pulmonary valve replacement.

4. The stent according to claim 3, wherein the vessel flap (26) is arranged in the flow direction of the body fluid before or in the beginning region of the third section in this third section.

5. A stent according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the vessel flap (26) at the proximal end of the third portion (12) is arranged. 5

6. Stent according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the vessel flap (26) has a pocket (23, 24, 25).

7. Stent according to one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the vessel flap (26) is part of a graft (2), which in the lattice framework (1) is arranged.

8. A stent according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first and second diameters are the same size and wherein the first and second sections (10, 11) over their entire length have the same diameter.

9. Stent according to one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the first and second diameters 5 to 50 mm, in particular 10 to 30 mm, and the third diameter 8 to 70 mm, in particular 12 to 35 mm.

10. A stent according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the ratio of the first and / or second diameter to the third diameter 1: 1.1 to 1: 2 and preferably 1: 1.1 to 1: 1.4.

11. Stent according to one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the three sections (10, 11, 12) consist of a lattice framework (1).

12. Stent according to claim 11, wherein the three sections (10, 11, 12) from a common lattice framework (1) are formed.

A stent according to any one of claims 2 to 12, wherein the three sections (10, 11, 12) are self-expanding.