CA1340419C

CA1340419C - Artificial graft and implantation method

Info

Publication number: CA1340419C
Application number: CA000616927A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Harrison M. Lazarus
Original assignee: Endovascular Technologies Inc
Current assignee: Endovascular Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1988-03-09
Filing date: 1994-10-14
Publication date: 1999-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-09

Abstract

An intraluminal grafting system includes a hollow graft which has a proximal staple positioned proximate its proximal end and a distal staple adapted proximate its distal end. The system includes a capsule for transporting the graft through the lumen and for positioning the proximal end of the graft upstream in a lumen which may be a blood vessel or artery. A tube is connected to the capsule and extends to exterior the vessel for manipulation by the user. A catheter is positioned within the tube to extend from the cavity and through the graft to exterior the body. The catheter has an inflatable membrane or balloon proximate the distal end thereof which is in communication via a channel with inflation and deflation means located exterior the vessel. With the inflatable membrane deflated, the capsule is positioned in the lumen and manipulated to a desired location. The inflatable membrane is manipulated by the rod away from the graft. The force exerted by the inflatable membrane and the structure of the staples urges the staples in the vessel wall, retaining the graft in position. The remainder of the intraluminal grafting system is then removed from the corporeal vessel.

Claims

1. A graft for emplacement by a balloon catheter within a corporal lumen, said graft comprising:
a tubular member having a first end and a second end;
a first attachment system positioned proximate the first end of said tubular member, said first attachment system including a plurality of support members each having two legs joined to form an apex, each leg being joined to the legs of adjacent support members to form a circular arrangement of support members about a central axis and operable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position;
first wall engaging members positioned proximate the first end of said tubular member; and wherein said first attachment system is operatively associated with said first wall engaging members such that when said first attachment system is configured in said second expanded position, said first wall engaging members engage walls defining an interior of the corporal lumen.

2. A graft as in claim 1, wherein said first attachment system is self-expanding.

3. A graft as in claim 2, wherein each of the legs of the support members are formed of a spring material and are substantially straight.

4. A graft as in claim 3, wherein each of said first wall engaging members are secured to a leg of a support member.

5. A graft as in claim 4, wherein support members are vee-shaped.

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6. A graft as in claim 5, wherein each of said first wall engaging members have tip portions extending at an angle from the central axis of about 55 degrees to about 80 degrees toward the second end of said tubular member.

7. A graft as in claim 5, wherein each of said first wall engaging members are attached to a leg of a support member and have tip portions extending at an angle from the central axis of about 65 degrees toward the second end of said tubular member.

8. A graft as in claim 4, wherein legs of each of the support members extend away from the apex so that said first attachment system is sinusoidal in shape.

9. A graft as in claim 1, further comprising a second attachment system positioned proximate the second end of said tubular member, and second wall engaging members positioned proximate the second end of said tubular member, said second attachment system including a plurality of support members each having two legs joined to form an apex, each leg being joined to the legs of adjacent support members to form a circular arrangement of support members about a central axis and operable between a first collapsed position and a second expanded position.

10. A graft as in claim 9, wherein the support members of said second attachment system are self-expanding and the second wall engaging members are attached to a leg of a support member of the second attachment system and have tip portions extending at an angle from the central axis of about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees toward the first end of said tubular member.

11. A graft as in claim 9, wherein the support members of said second attachment system are self-expanding and the second wall engaging members are attached to a leg of a support member of the second attachment system and have tip portions extending at an angle from the central axis of about 85 degrees toward the first end of said tubular member.

12. A graft as in claim 1, further comprising a radio-opaque seam stitched therein in a longitudinal manner.