Abstract: Disclosed is a method for excluding a pathological defect such as an aortic aneurysm. By the disclosed method, a grafstent complex is advanced through each branch of the patient's femoral and iliac system. The graftstent complex includes a segment of prosthetic graft material attached at each end to a respective stent. The cephalic stents of each graftstent complex are positioned relative to one other in a common region of normal aortic tissue on one side of the aneurysm and then deployed. The caudal stents are deployed in the iliac arteries. Additional steps can be taken to ensure that the internal iliac artery is not blocked when the caudal stents are deployed.

Abstract: The invention provides an endovascular graft system for repair of aneurysms. The graft system includes a trunk component and first and second leg components. The graft components include graft material supported by a plurality of stents which are spaced apart and affixed to the graft material in a manner that allows articulation of the graft system without excessive wear of the graft material. The stents are formed by intersecting struts which may be tapered to relieve stress. A stabilizing mechanism is provided to stabilize the position of the legs with respect to the trunk when the graft system is deployed.

Abstract: The invention provides an endovascular graft system for repair of aneurysms. The graft system includes a trunk component and first and second leg components. The graft components include graft material supported by a plurality of stents which are spaced apart and affixed to the graft material in a manner that allows articulation of the graft system without excessive wear of the graft material. The stents are formed by intersecting struts which may be tapered to relieve stress. A stabilizing mechanism is provided to stabilize the position of the legs with respect to the trunk when the graft system is deployed.

Abstract: A prosthetic graft for use with a graft system is used to repair the treatment of aortic aneurysms which extend into at least one common iliac artery and do not have a suitable region for seating a stent or other attachment device. The graft is designed to be used in combination with a graft system having legs extending into the common iliac arteries and provides the graft system with a place to securely seat its iliac legs without blocking the internal iliac artery.

Abstract: The invention provides an attachment member for anchoring a graft system at a desired location in a vessel of a patient's vascular system. The attachment member comprises a cranial zone having a first radial strength, a caudal zone having a second radial strength, and an intermediate zone having multiple joining longitudinal struts located between and connecting the cranial and caudal zones. The intermediate zone has a third radial strength which is less than the first and second radial strengths, and the cranial and caudal zones are formed from a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a first delivery configuration to a second deployed configuration. The invention also provides an endovascular graft system, a method for deploying an aortic attachment member, and a method for repairing an aneurysm in an aorta.

Abstract: A prosthetic graft for use with a graft system is used to repair the treatment of aortic aneurysms which extend into at least one common iliac artery and do not have a suitable region for seating a stent or other attachment device. The graft is designed to be used in combination with a graft system having legs extending into the common iliac arteries and provides the graft system with a place to securely seat its iliac legs without blocking the internal iliac artery.

Abstract: An endovascular graft system used to repair aneurysms in arteries which bifurcate such as the aorta which bifurcates at the aortoiliac junction. The graft system includes two legs, each defining a lumen. Each leg comprises an aortic stent, a graft component and an iliac stent. The graft component is affixed at one end to the aortic stent and at the other end to the iliac stent. Each leg of the graft system is preferably a mirror image of the other with the exception of the aortic stents. The graft component of each leg includes a means for allowing in situ adjustment of the length of the leg to accommodate the different sizes required for different patients.

Abstract: A method for endoluminally treating a pathological defect is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of introducing first and second graftstents through respective first and second access sites on a first side of a pathological defect; advancing the graftstents until each extends across the defect and is positioned within a common body passageway on a second side of the pathological defect; and drawing the graftstents together within the common body passageway.

Abstract: A method for endoluminally isolating a pathological defect in a body passageway. The method includes the steps of advancing a graft through the body passageway and attaching a distal portion of the graft to the interior surface of the body passageway. A proximal portion of the graft is sized within the body passageway. The method sizes the graft by moving an intraluminal cutting device through the body passageway relative to the graft and actuating the cutting device within the body passageway at a predetermined position relative to the graft. The foregoing steps result in a graft being cut to a desired length within the body passageway. Contrast may be injected in the vicinity of the graft to facilitate the method. Graft cutting while the graft is contained in a guide sheath. Also, the graft may be attached to a stent for attaching it within the body passageway. A device for performing the method is also disclosed.