BARBED RADIALLY EXPANDABLE STENT WITH SLOTTED STRUTS
The present application is directed to a stent, and more particularly, a radially expandable stent including a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of struts and a plurality of apices at each of the proximal and distal ends; a barb integrally formed as an extension on at least one strut and extending outwardly from a position on each strut; and at least one slot formed as an opening through at least one of the struts, where at least one of the proximal and distal apices are curved apices.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/566,104, filed Sep. 24, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/333,595, filed Jan. 17, 2006, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/091,641, filed Mar. 5, 2002, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/029,559, filed Dec. 20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,661, the contents of each of these related applications are incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a system for the treatment of disorders of the vasculature. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for the treatment of disease or injury that potentially compromises the integrity of a flow conduit in the body. For example, an embodiment of the invention is useful in treating indications in the digestive and reproductive systems as well as indications in the cardiovascular system, including thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms, arterial dissections (such as those caused by traumatic injury), etc. Such cardiovascular indications often require intervention due to the severity of the sequelae, which frequently is death.
BACKGROUNDFor indications such as abdominal aortic aneurysms, traditional open surgery is still the conventional and most widely-utilized treatment when the aneurysm's size has grown to the point that the risk of aneurysm rupture outweighs the drawbacks of surgery. Surgical repair involves replacement of the section of the vessel where the aneurysm has formed with a graft. An example of a surgical procedure is described by Cooley in Surgical Treatment of Aortic Aneurysms, 1986 (W.B. Saunders Company).
Despite its advantages, however, open surgery is fraught with high morbidity and mortality rates, primarily because of the invasive and complex nature of the procedure. Complications associated with surgery include, for example, the possibility of aneurysm rupture, loss of function related to extended periods of restricted blood flow to the extremities, blood loss, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, arrhythmia, and complications associated with the use of general anesthesia and mechanical ventilation systems. In addition, the typical patient in need of aneurysm repair is older and in poor health, facts that significantly increase the likelihood of complications.
Due to the risks and complexities of surgical intervention, various attempts have been made to develop alternative methods for treating such disorders. One such method that has enjoyed some degree of success is the catheter-based delivery of a bifurcated stent-graft via the femoral arteries to exclude the aneurysm from within the aorta.
Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms represents a promising and attractive alternative to conventional surgical repair techniques. The risk of medical complications is significantly reduced due to the less-invasive nature of the procedure. Recovery times are significantly reduced as well, which concomitantly diminishes the length and expense of hospital stays. For example, open surgery requires an average six-day hospital stay and one or more days in the intensive care unit. In contrast, endovascular repair typically requires a two-to-three day hospital stay. Once out of the hospital, patients benefiting from endovascular repair may fully recover in two weeks while surgical patients require six to eight weeks.
Despite these and other significant advantages, however, endovascular-based systems have a number of shortcomings. Present bifurcated stent-grafts require relatively large delivery catheters, often up to 24 French and greater in diameter. These catheters also tend to have a high bending stiffness. Such limitations result in the need for a surgical cut-down to deliver the stent-graft and make delivery through the often narrow and irregular arteries of diseased vessels difficult and risky. Because of this, endovascular treatment of aortic aneurysmal disease is not available to many patients who could otherwise benefit from it. For instance, women statistically tend to have smaller vessels and therefore some are excluded from many current endovascular therapies simply due to this reason. There is therefore a need for an endovascular stent-graft capable of being delivered via a smaller and more flexible delivery catheter. Even greater advantages may be realized if such an endovascular stent-graft is capable of being delivered percutaneously.
Further, an endovascular stent-graft must withstand tremendous pulsatile forces over a substantial period of time while remaining both seated and sealed within the vessel. In order to achieve these objectives, the device, which may comprise component parts and/or materials, must remain intact. The device must resist axial migration from the site of deployment while being subjected to significant pulsatile forces, and it should have sufficient radial compliance to conform to the vessel anatomy within which it is deployed so as to prevent blood leakage between the device and the vessel wall at both its proximal, or cephalic, end as well as at its distal, or caudal end or ends (where the net force may be retrograde). Such a device should conform to the morphology of the treated vessel, without kinking or twisting, over the life of the patient.
SUMMARYThe present invention generally is directed to a system for the endovascular treatment of body passageways that includes a medical device implantable within a body lumen such as a blood vessel. Some embodiments of this invention include an endovascular graft for treating vascular disease.
One embodiment includes a graft with a graft body section having a proximal end and a distal end, and, disposed or affixed on at least one end, a connector member having one or more connector member connector elements. The connector member may be embedded within multiple layers of the graft body section. A stent may be coupled or affixed to the one or more connector member connector elements via one or more stent connector elements. The graft may include a proximal stent and connector member only, a distal stent and connector member only, or both proximal and distal stents and their respective connector members.
Both the connector member connector elements and the stent connector elements may have a proximal end and a distal end that comprise opposing shoulder portions. The graft may further have one or more coupling members, such as a wire coil, configured to couple or connect the one or more connector member connector elements to the one or more stent connector elements.
Both the connector members and the stents may be formed of a serpentine ring having one or more apices. One embodiment includes a graft having single stage distal and/or proximal stents in which the associated connector member may have twice as many apices as the stent. In another embodiment, the graft has two-stage distal and/or proximal stents with twice as many apices in a first region as in a second region while the associated connector member has the twice the number of apices as in the first region of the stent. For example, a useful embodiment is one in which a twelve-apex connector member is connected to a first six-apex or six-crown region of a proximal or distal stent and that stent has a second three-apex or three-crown region integral with or joined to the six-crown region.
In alternative embodiments, grafts that include various combinations of single and multiple-stage proximal and distal stents with their associated connector members are possible.
The stents may also include one or more barbs. Typically, the barbs on a proximal stent are oriented distally to engage the stent into the tissue wall in the proximal-to-distal flow field in which the graft is typically disposed. Likewise, in applications in which the graft is deployed to treat an abdominal or thoracic aortic aneurysm, the barbs on one or more distal stents are typically oriented proximally to engage the stent into the tissue wall to oppose the typically retrograde migration forces. The barbs may range in length from about 1 to about 5 mm. They will typically project radially outward from a longitudinal axis of their respective stent and form a barb radial angle from about 10 to about 45 degrees with respect to the graft proximal neck portion inlet axis when the stent is deployed in vivo. The barbs may also be laterally biased in a plane that is orthogonal to a plane in which the barb radial angle is formed to form a barb kick angle.
The stent or stents (proximal and/or distal) comprise struts having one or more optional barb tuck pads integral to the struts such that when the proximal stent is in a reduced profile delivery configuration, each barb is retained by the stent strut. When the endovascular graft is in a deployed configuration, the one or more barbs are released.
The stent or stents may also comprise optional barb tuck slots configured to receive the barbs such that each barb is retained by a slot when the stent is in a delivery configuration. In a deployed configuration, the barbs are released from their corresponding barb tuck slots.
In addition, the stent may comprise grooves. In a typical delivery system, some type of belts or sutures may be used to help retain the endovascular graft in its compressed delivery configuration. The grooves may accommodate these belts or sutures without increasing the small diameter delivery of the device.
The graft body section may also have one or more inflatable cuffs disposed on or near the graft body section proximal end, distal end, or both. The inflatable cuffs provide a sufficiently stiff structure when inflated which help to support the graft body section and provide a conformable surface to seal the graft against the interior surface of the vessel in which it is deployed.
The graft body section may also include one or more inflatable channels. The channel or channels typically may be disposed between and in fluid communication with either or both proximal and distal inflatable cuffs. The channel or channels enhance the graft body section stiffness upon their inflation, help to prevent kinking of the graft body section, and may also facilitate deployment of the graft within a patient's body passageway. The inflatable channel or channels can be in a longitudinal and/or linear configuration with respect to the graft body section, but alternatively may take on a helical or circumferential configuration. Other orientations such as interconnecting grids or rings may also be suitable alone or in combination with any of the other configurations.
During deployment of the graft, the inflatable cuff or cuffs and channel or channels may be inflated or injected with a material that may comprise one or more of a solid, fluid (gas and/or liquid), gel or other medium. According to the invention, a useful inflation medium includes the combination polyethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerthyritol tetra 3(mercaptopropionate) and a buffer such as glycylglycine or triethanolamine in phosphate-buffered saline. Saline or another inert biocompatible liquid may be added to this three-component inflation medium in amounts up to about sixty percent of the total inflation medium volume. Radiopaque materials such as tantalum, iodinated contrast agents, barium sulfate, etc. may be added to this three-component medium, typically in the buffer, so to render the inflation medium visible under fluoroscopy.
In another embodiment of the invention, the graft may comprise a main body portion and a first bifurcated portion forming a continuous lumen that is configured to confine a flow of fluid therethrough. The graft may also include a second bifurcated portion in fluid communication with the main body portion. At least one inflatable cuff may be disposed at either or both a proximal end of the main body portion and a distal end of the first bifurcated portion. One or more inflatable channels may be disposed between the inflatable cuffs as previously described, and may extend over some or all of the main body portion. The cuffs and channels may be filled with an inflation medium, optionally diluted with an inert biocompatible material such as saline or other liquid, as described above.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the graft may comprise a main body portion in fluid communication with a first and a second bifurcated portion forming a continuous bifurcated lumen, said lumen configured to confine a flow of fluid therethrough. At least one inflatable cuff may be disposed at or near either or both a proximal end of the main body portion and a distal end of the first and second bifurcated portions. One or more inflatable channels may be disposed between the inflatable cuffs as previously described, and may extend over some or all of the main body portion.
The proximal ends of the graft main body portion may have connector members comprising one or more connector elements, and a proximal stent coupled to the one or more connector elements. One or both of the first and/or second bifurcated portions may likewise have first and/or second distal connector members comprising one or more connector elements disposed on their respective distal ends, and a distal stent coupled to the first and/or second distal connector members.
The present invention is also a system for implanting a tubular medical device within a body lumen having a wall, including a stent for affixing the medical device to the body lumen wall and a connector member for coupling the stent to the medical device, wherein the stent and the connector member are coupled to one another by at least one set of connector elements.
One or more barbs may also be included in this system. In addition, one or more barb tuck pads may be included in which the one or more barbs are configured to be retained by the one or more barb tuck pads when the system is in a delivery configuration and released by the one or more barb tuck pads when the system moves to a deployed configuration. The stent may further include optional slots configured to receive the barbs when the system is in a delivery configuration and wherein the barbs are configured to be released from the slots when the system is in a deployed configuration.
The invention also includes an endovascular graft comprising a graft body section with a proximal end and a distal end and a proximal connector member affixed to the proximal end of the graft body section. The proximal connector member may have one or more connector elements.
The graft may also have a proximal stent comprising one or more distally oriented barbs and one or more proximal stent connector elements coupled to the one or more proximal connector member connector elements and a distal connector member affixed to the distal end of the graft body section. The distal connector member may include one or more connector elements.
The graft of this embodiment further includes a distal stent comprising one or more proximally oriented barbs and comprising one or more distal stent connector elements coupled to the one or more distal connector member connector elements, one or more inflatable cuffs disposed at or near each of the proximal and distal ends of the graft body section, and wherein the graft body section comprises an inflatable channel in fluid communication with the proximal and distal cuffs.
In addition, the proximal and distal connector member connector elements may each have opposing shoulder portions on their proximal and distal ends, as may the proximal and distal stent connector elements. One or more coupling members may couple the proximal connector member connector elements to the proximal stent connector elements and likewise couple the one or more distal connector member connector elements to the one or more distal stent connector elements.
At least one of the inflatable channel, the distal inflatable cuff, and the proximal inflatable cuff may contain an inflation medium comprising the combination polyethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerthyritol tetra 3(mercaptopropionate), and a buffer.
The proximal stent barbs or distal stent barbs of this embodiment may have a length from about 1 to about 5 mm, and the graft body section may comprise ePTFE.
In yet still a further bifurcated embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a main body portion with a distal end and a proximal end with a connector member disposed on the proximal end. The connector member may include one or more connector elements.
The proximal stent of this embodiment may comprise one or more distally oriented barbs and one or more proximal stent connector elements that are coupled to the connector member connector elements.
This embodiment further includes a first bifurcated portion and a second bifurcated portion forming a continuous lumen with the main body portion. This lumen is configured to confine a flow of fluid therethrough.
A distal connector member may be disposed on distal ends of each of the first and second bifurcated portions. Each of these distal connector members includes one or more connector elements. In addition, this embodiment has one or more distal stents with at least one proximally oriented barb and comprising one or more distal stent connector elements. The distal stent connector elements are coupled to the distal connector member connector elements on one or both of the first and second bifurcated portions.
This embodiment also includes at least one inflatable channel extending from one or both of the first and second bifurcated portions to the main body portion, at least one inflatable cuff disposed at or near a proximal end of the main body portion in fluid communication with the at least one channel, and an inflatable cuff disposed at or near a distal end of each of the first and second bifurcated portions.
The proximal and distal connector member connector elements may each have opposing shoulder portions on their proximal and distal ends, as may the proximal and distal stent connector elements. One or more coupling members may couple the proximal connector member connector elements to the proximal stent connector elements and likewise couple the one or more distal connector member connector elements to the one or more distal stent connector elements.
At least one of the inflatable channel, the first bifurcated portion distal inflatable cuff, the second bifurcated portion distal inflatable cuff, and the proximal inflatable cuff may contain an inflation medium comprising the combination polyethylene glycol diacrylate, pentaerthyritol tetra 3(mercaptopropionate), and a buffer.
The proximal and/or distal stent barbs may have a length from about 1 to about 5 mm. The graft main body portion as well as the first and second bifurcated portions may comprise ePTFE.
These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying exemplary drawings.
Graft 10 has a proximal end 11 and a distal end 12 and includes a generally tubular structure or graft body section 13 comprised of one or more layers of fusible material, such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). A proximal inflatable cuff 16 is disposed at or near a proximal end 14 of graft body section 13 and an optional distal inflatable cuff 17 is disposed at or near a graft body section distal end 15. Graft body section 13 forms a longitudinal lumen 22 configured to confine a flow of fluid therethrough and may range in length from about 5 to about 30 cm; specifically from about 10 to about 20 cm.
As will be described in greater detail below, inflation of cuffs 16 and 17 will cause them to assume a generally annular shape (especially when graft body section 13 is in an unconstrained state). Inflatable cuffs 16 and 17 will generally, however, conform to the shape of the vessel within which it is deployed. When fully inflated, cuffs 16 and 17 may have an outside diameter ranging from about 10 to about 45 mm; specifically from about 16 to about 32 mm.
At least one inflatable channel 18 may be disposed between and in fluid communication with proximal inflatable cuff 16 and distal inflatable cuff 17. Inflatable channel 18 provides structural support to graft body section 13 when inflated to contain an inflation medium. Inflatable channel 18 further prevents kinking and twisting of the tubular structure or graft body section when it is deployed within angled or tortuous anatomies as well as during remodeling of body passageways (such as the aorta and iliac arteries) within which graft 10 is deployed. Together with proximal and distal cuffs 16 and 17, inflatable channel 18 forms a network of inflatable cuffs and channels in fluid communication with one other.
We have found the helical configuration of channel 18 in the
In the embodiment of
Graft body section or tubular structure 13 and its associated components may be made from a variety of suitable materials, including ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyesters, and the like. As previously discussed, we have found constructing graft body section 13 primarily from one or more layers of ePTFE to be particularly useful. Details of how graft 10 may be fabricated (as well as all of the other grafts discussed herein) are more fully described in parent U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/029,559 and in copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/029,570, 10/029,584, and 10/029,557, each to Chobotov et al., and in addition, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/133,978 to Chobotov, filed Feb. 9, 1998 and entitled “Endovascular Graft” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/917,371 to Chobotov et al., filed Jul. 27, 2001 and entitled “Bifurcated Stent-Graft Delivery System and Method,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,331, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, teach a useful endovascular stent-graft and delivery system, respectively.
A proximal neck portion 23 is disposed in the vicinity of graft body section proximal end 14 and serves as an additional means to help seal the deployed graft against the inside of a body passageway. Proximal neck portion 23 has an inlet axis 27 that forms an inlet axis angle α in relation to graft body section longitudinal axis 25. This angled inlet axis 27 allows the graft to better conform to the morphology of a patient's vasculature in patients who have an angled vessel morphology, such as is often the case in the neck region of abdominal aortic aneurysms. The inlet axis angle α may range in any direction with respect to longitudinal axis 25 from about zero to about 90 degrees, preferably from about 20 to about 30 degrees. Proximal neck portion 23 may be tapered or flared to a larger diameter in the proximal direction to facilitate this sealing function. Proximal neck portion 23 also serves as a means of providing a smooth fluid flow transition into graft lumen 22.
The network of inflatable cuffs 16, 17 and channel 18 may be inflated, most usefully in vivo, by introduction or injection of a material or medium through an injection port 33 that is in fluid communication with cuff 17 and the associated cuff/channel network. The material may comprise one or more of a solid, fluid (gas and/or liquid), gel or other medium. The material may contain a contrast medium that facilitates imaging the device while it is being deployed within a patient's body. For example, radiopaque materials containing elements such as bismuth, barium, gold, iodine, platinum, tantalum or the like may be used in particulate, liquid, powder or other suitable form as part of the inflation medium. Liquid iodinated contrast agents are a particularly suitable material to facilitate such imaging. Radiopaque markers may also be disposed on or integrally formed into or on any portion of graft 10 for the same purpose, and may be made from any combination of biocompatible radiopaque materials.
A connector member 24 is affixed to or integrally formed in graft body section 13, or as shown in
The configuration of connector member 24 shown in
No matter the number of apices present, one function of connector member 24 is to work in conjunction with proximal neck 23 in which it is typically embedded to help seal the deployed graft against the inside of a body passageway as previously described. It can also play a role in helping to keep graft 10 in place within the vessel wall and may also facilitate the opening of graft body section proximal end 14 during deployment.
Some apices 28 may also comprise a connector member connector element 30, described more fully below with respect to the embodiment of
Graft 10 further comprises a proximal stent 40 having a proximal end 42 and a distal end 44. Although other configurations are possible, proximal stent 40 in the
As shown in
This configuration of proximal stent 40, connector member 24, proximal neck portion 23, and proximal cuff 16 helps to separate the sealing function of proximal cuff 16, which requires conformation and apposition to the vessel wall within which graft 10 is deployed without excessive radial force, from the anchoring function of proximal stent 40 (connector member 24 and proximal neck portion 23 play intermediate roles). This allows the sealing and anchoring functions each to be optimized without compromising the other. In addition, in part because proximal stent 40, connector member 24, and inflatable cuff 16 are longitudinally distributed along the graft body section longitudinal axis 25, a smaller, more flexible delivery profile ranging from about 10 to about 16 French is possible; preferably below 12 French.
Proximal stent 40 may be manufactured from any of the materials suitable for connector member 24. When manufactured from a shape memory alloy having superelastic properties such as NiTi, proximal stent 40 may be configured to self-expand upon release from a constrained state.
Proximal stent 40 further comprises proximal stent connector elements 48 that are affixed to connector member connector elements 30 via coupling members as described more fully below in relation to
Proximal stent 40 also comprises struts 41 and may also comprise one or more barbs 43. A barb can be any outwardly directed protuberance, typically terminating in a sharp point that is capable of at least partially penetrating a body passageway in which graft 10 is deployed (typically the intimal and medial layers of a blood vessel such as the abdominal aorta).
When proximal stent 40 is deployed in the abdominal aorta, for example, typically in a location proximal to the aneurysm and any diseased tissue, barbs 43 are designed to work in conjunction with the distally-oriented blood flow field in this location to penetrate tissue and prevent axial migration of graft 10. This is why barbs 43 in the
In alternative embodiments, depending upon the material used in the manufacture of proximal stent 40, the clinical demands and other factors, the degree to which barbs 43 help maintain the position of graft 10 within the vessel may vary. Consequently, the number, dimensions, configuration and orientation of barbs 43 may vary significantly, yet be within the scope of the present invention.
The length of barbs 43 in any of the embodiments of the present invention may range from about 1 to about 5 mm; more particularly, from about 2 to about 4 mm.
As shown in their free expanded configuration in
It is generally desirable that barbs 43 be oriented in a position generally parallel to the axis of the lumen in which they are deployed so that they are in a position to best resist the drag loads imposed by the flow field in vivo in certain applications. To this end, we have found it useful for one or more of barbs 43 to form an optional second barb azimuth or “kick” angle γ with respect to strut longitudinal axis 29 as shown in
The number of barbs, the length of each barb, each of the barb angles described above, and the barb orientation may vary from barb to barb within a single stent or between multiple stents within a single graft.
Note that although the various barbs (and tuck pads 45 discussed below) discussed herein may be attached to or fixed on the stent struts 41, we have found it useful that, as shown in the various figures, they be integrally formed as part of the stent struts. In other words, they can be mere extensions of the struts in which no joint or other connection exists. Because there is no joint, we have found the strength of the barb/strut interface to be very high, as is the fatigue resistance of the barbs. With no mechanical connection to join the barbs to the struts, reliability of the barb/strut interface is higher. In addition, the lack of a heat-affected zone in which the mechanical properties of a welded or brazed joint may be deleteriously affected is another significant advantage to having the barbs and tuck pads be integral to the stent.
Struts 41 may also comprise optional integral tuck pads 45 disposed opposite each barb 43. As is the case with the barbs, the number, dimensions, configuration and orientation of barb tuck pads 45 may vary significantly.
During preparation of graft 10 (and therefore proximal stent 40) into its reduced diameter delivery configuration, each barb 43 is placed behind a corresponding strut 41 (and optional tuck pad 45, if present) so to thereby prevent that barb from contacting the inside of a delivery sheath or catheter during delivery of the device and from undesired contact with the inside of a vessel wall. As described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/917,371 to Chobotov et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,733, a release belt disposed in one or more grooves 35 disposed on struts 41 retain proximal stent 40 in this delivery configuration.
Upon deployment of graft 10, and more particularly, proximal stent 40, (typically accomplished in part by release of this and other belts), the radial expansion of stent 40 results in a displacement of struts 41 so that the distance between them increases. Eventually this displacement becomes large enough so to free the barbs from behind the adjacent strut (and optional tuck pad 45, if present) and engage the wall of the lumen being treated. During experiments in which stents of the present invention having barbs described herein are released from a constrained delivery configuration to assume an expanded or deployed configuration, high speed video confirms that the barbs tend to release with a time constant that is generally an order of magnitude lower than the time constant associated with the radial expansion of the stent. In other words, during the stent deployment process, their barbs complete their deployment before the stent is fully expanded, so that the barbs may engage the vessel or lumen wall with maximum effectiveness.
Alternatively, and especially in the case when a different material such as stainless steel is used for proximal stent 40, an optional balloon may be used to expand stent 40 to free barbs 43 from their tuck pads 45 and to cause barbs 43 to engage tissue as desired. Even if a superelastic self-expanding proximal stent 40 is used in graft 10, such a balloon may be used to help further implant barbs 43 into their desired position to ensure proper placement of graft 10.
Turning now to
Inflatable channel 58 comprises an inflatable longitudinal channel or spine in fluid communication with a series of approximately parallel inflatable circumferential channels or ribs. We have found this configuration to be particularly useful in providing effective kink resistance while allowing for rapid and relatively easy inflation of the cuffs and channels when using more viscous inflation materials. Channel 58 is in fluid communication with proximal and distal cuffs 56 and 57, forming a network of inflatable cuffs and channels in fluid communication with each other. Fill port 59 is in fluid communication with distal cuff 57, inflatable channel 58, and proximal cuff 56, adding to this network for the introduction of an inflation medium into graft body section 53. Features of the
Graft 50 of
As illustrated in
Proximal stent 70 comprises struts 71, any one of which may further comprise one or more barbs 74. Optional barb tuck pads 86 near each barb serve to shield barbs 74 when graft 50 is in its reduced diameter delivery configuration. Struts 71 or tuck pads 86 may also contain an optional barb tuck slot 85 to help retain barbs 74 while graft 50 (and consequently proximal stent 70) is in its delivery configuration. Upon deployment of graft 50 as previously described with respect to the
Proximal stent 70 also may comprise one or more sets of optional grooves 87 for housing device release bands as previously discussed.
Unlike proximal stent 40 of
Proximal stent 70 may exhibit a greater outward radial force at three-crown region 92 than in six-crown region 90. Such a design is particularly useful in a clinical setting in which it is desired that such outward radial force be applied within a healthier section of vessel, more remote from the site of disease. Proximal stent 70 may accordingly perform the anchoring function within a portion of vessel that can accommodate such radial force.
While the actual number of apices may vary as previously discussed, this more generally illustrates a useful convention for the present invention in which the relationship among the various apices may be described: for instance, if the number of connector member 60 apices 65 is denoted “n”, “n/2” then denotes the number of proximal stent 70 first or six-crown region 90 apices 94 and “n/4” as the number of proximal stent 70 second or three-crown region 92 apices 93. Other useful embodiments include those in which there are “n” connector member apices, “n” proximal stent first region apices, and “n/2” proximal stent second region apices. These ratios may vary as appropriate; these particular sets of ratios are merely illustrative.
Note also in
Any suitable member may be used for coupling member 54 although we have found a wire or wire-like member having a circular cross-sectional shape to be useful (although any shape may be used). Optimally, the wire coupling member 54 may be formed of a suitable metal such as nickel, stainless steel, nickel-titanium, etc. The wire may have a diameter ranging from about 0.002 to about 0.006 inch; more specifically from about 0.003 to about 0.005 inch.
To secure the connector elements 62 and 72 to one another, coupling member 54 may be wound around the matched connector elements one or more times. We have found that providing enough windings to present a single layer of wire in which the windings are immediately adjacent one another from shoulder 78, 84 to shoulder 78, 84 provides sufficient strength and stiffness to the joint thus created without detracting from the low delivery profile afforded by the novel design of graft 50. Thus the number of optimal windings from graft to graft will vary but typically ranges from about 6 to about 18 windings in most applications. With coupling members 54 in place, connector member connector elements 62 and proximal stent connector elements 72 are securely coupled to one another. The features and advantages of coupling member 54 discussed herein may be utilized by any of the embodiments of the present invention herein discussed.
Graft 100 comprises a first bifurcated portion 114, a second bifurcated portion 115 and main body portion 116. The size and angular orientation of the bifurcated portions 114 and 115, respectively, may vary—even between portion 114 and 115—to accommodate graft delivery system requirements and various clinical demands. For instance, each bifurcated portion or leg is shown in
Together, main body portion 116 and first and second bifurcated portions 114, 115 form a continuous bifurcated lumen, similar to lumens 22 and 73, which is configured to confine a flow of fluid therethrough. And although not shown in
First and second bifurcated portions 114 and 115 each comprises a network of inflatable cuffs and channels as discussed with respect to the
As with the embodiments previously discussed, the number of inflatable circumferential channels 144 may vary with the specific configuration of the graft as adapted to a given indication. Generally, however, the number of inflatable circumferential channels 144 per bifurcated portion may range from 1 to about 30, preferably about 10 to about 20. Similarly, the dimensions, spacing, angular orientation, etc. of circumferential inflatable channels 144 may vary as well.
For instance, the distance between and width of each circumferential inflatable channel 144 may vary along the length of the graft or may be constant. The pitch or inter-ring distance may range from about 2 to about 20 mm; specifically, it may range from about 3 to about 10 mm. Circumferential inflatable channels 144 are each typically between about 2 and about 4 mm wide, but may be from about 1 to about 8 mm wide. Each longitudinal channel 110 is typically from about 2 to about 4 mm wide, but may vary, together or independently, to be from about 1 to about 8 mm wide.
In the embodiment of
In alternative embodiments of the graft of
Second bifurcated portion 115 may be of a similar construction to first bifurcated portion 114. In the
First and second bifurcated portions 114 and 115 may be generally cylindrical in shape when deployed, and will generally conform to the shape of a vessel interior within which they are deployed. Their length as measured from main body portion 116 may range from about 1 to about 10 cm or more. The nominal inflated outside diameter of the distal ends of the first and second bifurcated portions 114 and 115 at cuffs 117 and 119 may range from about 2 to about 30 mm, preferably from about 5 to about 20 mm.
Main body portion 116 comprises a proximal inflatable cuff 111 and an optional secondary proximal inflatable cuff 112 in fluid communication with one or more inflatable longitudinal channels 110. As with other embodiments, proximal cuff 111 serves primarily to seal graft 100 firmly against a lumen wall. Secondary proximal inflatable cuff 112 has been found to confer additional kink resistance on graft 100, particularly in those clinical applications in which the vessel in which the graft is deployed is highly angled or tortuous. The nominal inflated outside diameter of secondary proximal inflatable cuff 112 may range from about 10 to about 45 mm, preferably from about 15 to about 30 mm, while the nominal inflated outside diameter of proximal cuff 111 may range from about 10 to about 45 mm, preferably from about 16 to about 32 mm. Main body portion 116 may range in length from about 2 to about 10 cm; preferably from about 4 to about 8 cm.
Endovascular graft 100 further comprises a proximal connector member 118, proximal stent 120, and proximal neck portion 146 all of which may be similar to those components discussed above in reference to
In bifurcated embodiments of grafts having features of the invention which also have a biased proximal end that forms an inlet axis angle, the direction of the bias or angulation can be important with regard to achieving a proper fit between the graft and the morphology of the deployment site. Generally, the angular bias of the proximal end of the graft, proximal neck portion or proximal anchor can be in any direction. Preferably, the angular bias is in a direction and of a magnitude consistent with the mean angulation of the type of lesion (e.g. abdominal aortic aneurysm) intended for treatment with the graft.
As with proximal stent 70 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, proximal stent 120 comprises barbs 121 which are oriented in a distal direction for reliable anchoring against the direction of pulsatile forces in vivo when the device is implanted in the abdominal aorta, for instance, to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
One or both bifurcated portions 114 and/or 115 may further comprise a distal connector member 124 and/or 150, a distal stent 128, and a distal neck portion 154. The embodiment of
As discussed with respect to the
Inflatable channels 113 (and other inflatable members of the invention) are in communication with a fill port 160 through distal inflatable cuff 117. Fill port 160 may be disposed alternatively on second bifurcated portion 115 or graft main body portion 116, and more than one fill port may be used. Fill port 160 is configured to accept a pressurized source of fluid (gas and/or liquid), particles, gel or combination thereof as previously discussed.
As discussed with respect to the
The optional distal connector member 150, disposed in the
Turning to
We have found that for the NiTi stents used in the present invention, such a configuration provides for a more diffuse strain distribution in the stent and reduces the peak strains experienced during assembly and in vivo, while also allowing for a smaller delivery profile as compared to other configurations, particularly in the proximal apex 93 of the second or three-crown region 92 of proximal stent 70. However, the stent apex configuration of
In the example of
We have found that when NiTi is used for the stents and connector members of the present invention, such a configuration is effective in distributing the peak strains experienced in the stent from the apex 94 to stent strut 71 as compared to other configurations, particularly in the proximal apex 94 of the first or six-crown region 90 of proximal stent 70. However, the offset circular apex configuration of
When used in the proximal apex 94 of the proximal stent first or six-crown region 90, we have found offset values ranging from about zero to about 0.030 inch; particular about 0.020 inch, to be effective in NiTi stents having expanded, or deployed diameters ranging from about 16 to about 26 mm. We have also found effective a configuration in which radius r2 ranges from about 0.020 to about 0.040 inch; more particularly about 0.035 inch, and in which radius r3 ranges from about 0.005 to about 0.020 inch; in particular about 0.010 inch.
Optional taper or tapers may be incorporated into the struts 41 and 71 of the various stent embodiments of the present invention as well as the various proximal and distal connector members. In general, incorporating one or more tapers into the struts on both proximal and distal stents provide greater space in the tapered region to accommodate alternative features such as barbs and tuck pads. It allows for a smaller deployment profile when the component is in a radially collapsed delivery configuration. We have found that when configuring the various stents and connector elements of the present invention into this reduced diameter delivery profile, the stents experience a large degree of bending strain that is often poorly or locally distributed. Tapering certain stent struts in particular locations helps to distribute this strain more evenly throughout the stent or connector member and to manage the peak strains. The examples of
In
For example, in a proximal stent 70 three-crown region 92 made from NiTi, we have found effective a maximum strut width 190 ranging from about 0.016 to about 0.032 inch; particularly from about 0.022 and about 0.028 inch, and a minimum strut width 192 of between about 0.010 and about 0.026 inch; particularly from about 0.012 and about 0.022 inch. The optional tapered strut feature described herein and shown in
Turning now to
We have found that, especially for the distal stents of the present invention, an asymmetric crown in which the distal apex 200 has a smaller strut width than that of the proximal apex 196 results in a difference in the expansion force exerted between each of the proximal and distal apices. When deployed in a diseased lumen or vessel, the proximal apices of such a stent having this configuration will tend to exert a smaller expansion force near the graft seal zone, reducing the potential for such a stent to cause trauma to tissue in the seal zone near the cuffs (where weaker, more diseased tissue tends to reside). Such a configuration also facilitates a consistent, safe and predictable deployment when the component moves from a reduced diameter delivery profile to an expanded treatment profile. Finally, such a taper reduces the flare exhibited by the distal apex 200; this in turn provides for a smaller distal stent delivery profile when the distal stent is in a reduced-diameter configuration. Taper ratios (defined in the same manner above as the ratio between width 198 and width 202) ranging from 1 to about 10 or higher are within the scope of the present invention.
For distal stent 128 comprising NiTi, we have found that a width 202 ranging from about 0.010 to about 0.026 inch; specifically from about 0.012 and about 0.024 inch to be useful, and we have found a width 198 ranging from about 0.016 to about 0.032 inch; specifically from about 0.017 to about 0.028 inch to be useful.
Of course, the various types of offset radii and combinations of elliptical and circular apex radii may be used to effect these tapers and ratios so to further cause the desired behavior during assembly into a reduced-diameter delivery configuration, effective delivery and performance in vivo.
Useful inflation media generally include those formed by the mixing of multiple components and that have a cure time ranging from a few minutes to tens of minutes, preferably from about three and about twenty minutes. Such a material should be biocompatible, exhibit long-term stability (preferably on the order of at least ten years in vivo), pose as little an embolic risk as possible, and exhibit adequate mechanical properties, both pre- and post-cure, suitable for service in the graft of the present invention in vivo. For instance, such a material should have a relatively low viscosity before solidification or curing to facilitate the graft cuff and channel fill process. A desirable post-cure elastic modulus of such an inflation medium is from about 50 to about 400 psi—balancing the need for the filled graft to form an adequate seal in vivo while maintaining clinically relevant kink resistance of the graft. The inflation media ideally should be radiopaque, both acute and chronic, although this is not absolutely necessary.
Details of compositions suitable for use as an inflation medium in the present invention are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/496,231 to Hubbell et al., filed Feb. 1, 2000 and entitled “Biomaterials Formed by Nucleophilic Addition Reaction to Conjugated Unsaturated Groups” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/586,937 to Hubbell et al., filed Jun. 2, 2000 and entitled “Conjugate Addition Reactions for the Controlled Delivery of Pharmaceutically Active Compounds”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,958,212. The entirety of each of these patent applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
We have found one particular three-component medium formed by the Michael addition process to be particularly useful in serving as an inflation medium for the present invention. This medium comprises:
polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), present in a proportion ranging from about 50 to about 55 weight percent; specifically in a proportion of about 52 weight percent,
pentaerthyritol tetra 3(mercaptopropionate) (QT) present in a proportion ranging from about 22 to about 27 weight percent; specifically in a proportion of about 24 weight percent, and
glycylglycine buffer present in a proportion ranging from about 22 to about 27 weight percent; specifically in a proportion of about 24 weight percent.
Variations of these components and other formulations as described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/496,231 and 09/586,937 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,958,212, both to Hubbell et al., may be used as appropriate. In addition, we have found PEGDA having a molecular weight ranging from about 350 to about 850 to be useful; PEGDA having a molecular weight ranging from about 440 to about 560 are particularly useful.
Radiopaque materials as previously discussed may be added to this 3-component system. We have found that adding radiopacifiers such as barium sulfate, tantalum powder, and soluble materials such as iodine compounds to the glycylglycine buffer is useful.
We have found that triethanolamine in phosphate-buffered saline may be used as an alternative to glycylglycine buffer as the third component described above to form an alternative curable gel suitable for use in embodiments of the present invention.
An alternative to these three-component systems is a gel made via polymer precipitation from biocompatible solvents. Examples of such suitable polymers include ethylene vinyl alcohol and cellulose acetate. Examples of such suitable biocompatible solvents include dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) and others. Such polymers and solvents may be used in various combinations as appropriate.
Alternatively, various siloxanes may be used as inflation gels. Examples include hydrophilic siloxanes and polyvinyl siloxanes (such as STAR-VPS from Danville Materials of San Ramon, Calif. and various silicone products such as those manufactured by NuSil, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif.).
Other gel systems useful as an inflation medium or material for the present invention include phase change systems that gel upon heating or cooling from their initial liquid or thixotropic state. For example, materials such as n-isopropyl-polyacrylimide (NIPAM), BASF F-127 pluronic polyoxyamer, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) chemistries having molecular weights ranging between about 500 and about 1,200 are suitable.
Effective gels may also comprise thixotropic materials that undergo sufficient shear-thinning so that they may be readily injected through a conduit such as a delivery catheter but yet still are able to become substantially gel-like at zero or low shear rates when present in the various channels and cuffs of the present invention.
In the case of the three-component PEDGA-QT-glycylglycine formulation described above, a careful preparation and delivery protocol should be followed to ensure proper mixing, delivery, and ultimately clinical efficacy. Each of the three components is typically packaged separately in sterile containers such as syringes until the appropriate time for deploying the endovascular graft. The QT and buffer (typically glycylglycine) are first continuously and thoroughly mixed, typically between their respective syringes for approximately two minutes. PEGDA is then mixed thoroughly with the resulting two-component mixture for approximately three minutes. This resulting three-component mixture is then ready for introduction into the graft body section as it will cure into a gel having the desired properties within the next several minutes. Cure times may be tailored by adjusting the formulations, mixing protocol, and other variables according to the requirements of the clinical setting. Details of suitable delivery protocols for these materials are discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/917,371 to Chobotov et al., now U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,331.
We have found the post-cure mechanical properties of these gels to be highly tailorable without significant changes to the formulation. For instance, these gels may exhibit moduli of elasticity ranging from tens of psi to several hundred psi; the formulation described above exhibits moduli ranging from about 175 to about 250 psi with an elongation to failure ranging from about 30 to about 50 percent.
Notably, we have found it helpful to add an inert biocompatible material to the inflation material. In particular, we have found that adding a fluid such as saline to the PEGDA-QT-glycylglycine formulation (typically after it has been mixed but before significant curing takes place) lowers the viscosity of the formulation and results in greater ease when injecting the formulation into the graft body section network of inflatable cuffs and channels without sacrificing the desired physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the formulation or its clinical efficacy. In the appropriate volume percentages, adding materials such as saline may also reduce the potential for the inflation material such as PEGDA-QT-glycylglycine to pose an embolic risk in case of spillage or leakage. Saline concentrations as a volume percentage of the final saline/three-component formulation combination may range from zero to as high as sixty percent or more; particularly suitable are saline concentrations ranging from about twenty to about forty percent. We have found a saline volume concentration of about thirty percent to be most suitable. Alternatives to saline may include biocompatible liquids, including buffers such as glycylglycine.
In more general terms, it is desirable to use an inflation medium in which each of its components is biocompatible and soluble in blood. A biocompatible inflation medium is desirable so to manage any toxicity risk in the case the inflation medium were inadvertently released into the patient's vasculature. A soluble inflation medium is desirable so to manage any embolism risk if released into the vasculature. Such an inflation medium should not disperse nor gel or solidify if spilled into flowing blood before curing. In the event of a spill, the normal blood flow would then rapidly disperse the components and their concentration would fall below the level required for crosslinking and formation of a solid. These components would then be eliminated by the body through standard pathways without posing an embolic risk to the patient. Among the many possibilities of an inflation medium example in which all of the components are soluble in blood is the combination polyethylene glycol diacrylate, a thiolated polyethyleneamine, and a buffer.
As previously discussed, more than one type of inflation medium, or more than one variant of a single type of inflation medium may be used in a single graft to optimize the graft properties in the region in which it is disposed.
For example, in the proximal and distal cuffs of the various embodiments of the present invention, the inflation material serves as a conformable sealing medium to provide a seal against the lumen wall. Desirable mechanical characteristics for the inflation medium in the proximal and distal cuffs would therefore include a low shear strength so to enable the cuff to deform around any luminal irregularities (such as calcified plaque asperities) and to conform to the luminal profile, as well as a high volumetric compressibility to allow the fill material to expand the cuffs as needed to accommodate any late lumen dilatation and maintain a seal.
In the channel or channels, by contrast, the inflation medium serves primarily to provide structural support to the lumen within which the graft is placed and kink resistance to the graft. Desirable mechanical characteristics for the inflation medium in the channel or channels therefore includes a high shear strength, to prevent inelastic deformation of a channel or channel segment due to external compression forces from the vessel or lumen (due, for example, to neointimal hyperproliferation) and low volumetric compressibility to provide stable support for adjacent channels or channel segments that may be in compressive contact with each other, thereby providing kink resistance to the graft.
Given these contrasting requirements, it may be useful to have different inflation materials fill different portions of the graft, such as one inflation medium for the proximal and distal cuffs and a second in the channel or channels.
In the various embodiments of the present invention, it is desirable that the inflation medium be visible through the use of techniques such as fluoroscopy during the time of deployment in which the graft cuffs and channels are being filled with the inflation medium. Such visibility allows the clinician to verify that the cuffs and channels are filling correctly and to adjust the filling procedure if they are not. It also provides an opportunity to detect any leakage or otherwise undesirable flow of inflation material out of the graft so that injection may be stopped, thereby minimizing the amount of leaked inflation material.
After the graft has been deployed into a patient, it is desirable that the graft be visible through the use of follow-up imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and the like. However, the inflation material at this point in time is ideally not so radiopaque that it produces a dense CT image as such an image could potentially mask clinically significant endoleaks that would be visualized by opacifying the blood with a contrast agent.
Balancing these two objectives is difficult, however, since CT techniques are much more sensitive in detecting small amounts of radiopaque matter than are fluoroscopy techniques. One solution is to use an inflation medium that becomes less radiopaque over time, such as for example by using a blend of radiopaque materials in which one or more will diffuse out of the inflation medium over time, thereby reducing the inflation medium's radiopacity. For instance, a blend of a soluble contrast agent such as an iodinated aqueous solution and an insoluble contrast agent such as barium sulfate may serve this purpose. The soluble contrast agent will diffuse through the graft body section pores some time after the graft has been implanted, resulting in a progressive decrease in radiopacity of the inflation material over time. A fill material radiopacifier prepared from a combination of about two percent barium sulfate (by weight) and about 20 percent iodinated contrast solution (by weight) is useful in this capacity.
While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A radially expandable stent comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of struts and a plurality of apices at each of the proximal and distal ends;
- a barb integrally formed as an extension of at least one strut and extending outwardly from a position on each strut;
- at least one slot formed as an opening through at least one of the struts; and
- wherein at least one of the proximal and distal apices are curved apices.
2. The stent of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot is configured to the shape of the barb.
3. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent comprises NiTi.
4. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent has an expanded or deployed diameter from about 16 mm to about 26 mm and wherein the stent has a delivery profile from about 10 French to about 16 French.
5. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent has a delivery profile of about 16 French.
6. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent is a two-stage stent having interconnected intermediate portions.
7. The stent of claim 1, wherein the barb has an elevation angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of a strut from which the barb extends of about 10 degrees to about 45 degrees.
8. The stent of claim 1, wherein the plurality of proximal apices is ten apices.
9. The stent of claim 1, wherein the plurality of distal apices is ten apices.
10. The stent of claim 1, wherein a length of the barb ranges from about 1 mm to about 5 mm.
11. The stent of claim 1, wherein the barb terminates in a sharp point.
12. The stent of claim 1, wherein the barb is proximal to an apex.
13. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent is affixed to a graft.
14. The stent of claim 13, wherein the graft comprises polyester.
15. The stent of claim 14, further comprising a delivery system.
16. A radially expandable stent comprising:
- a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of struts and joined by curved apices at the proximal and distal ends of said stent;
- at least one barb on at least one strut, the barb being an extension of the strut in which no joint or other connection to the strut exists; and
- at least one slot formed as an opening through at least one of the struts, the slot being configured to the shape of the at least one barb;
- wherein the stent is a two-stage stent having interconnected intermediate portions; and
- wherein said curved apices have an outer surface with a radius of curvature.
17. The stent of claim 16, wherein some of said apices are free of barbs.
18. The stent of claim 17, further comprising a graft affixed to a portion of the stent.
19. The stent of claim 18, wherein the graft comprises polyester.
20. The stent of claim 19, further comprising a delivery system.
21. A radially expandable stent comprising:
- a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of struts and apices at the proximal and distal ends of said stent; and
- at least one barb on a strut, the barb and strut comprising a barb/strut interface in which there is no mechanical connection to join the barb to the strut; and
- at least one slot formed as an opening through at least one of said struts, the at least one slot being configured to the shape of the at least one barb; and
- wherein said apices have an outer surface with a radius of curvature.
22. The stent of claim 21, wherein some of said apices are free of barbs.
23. The stent of claim 22, wherein the stent is affixed to a graft.
24. The stent of claim 23, further comprising a delivery system.
25. A radially expandable stent comprising:
- a proximal end, a distal end and a plurality of struts joined by curved apices at the proximal and distal ends of said stent;
- at least one barb on at least one strut, the barb being located on the strut between two apices;
- the barb being an extension of the strut in which no joint or other connection to the strut exists;
- at least one slot formed as an opening through at least one of the struts, the slot being configured to the shape of the at least one barb;
- wherein the stent is a two-stage stent having interconnected intermediate portions; and
- wherein said curved apices have an outer surface with a radius of curvature.
26. The stent of claim 25, wherein some of said apices are free of barbs.
27. The stent of claim 26, further comprising a graft affixed to a portion of the stent.
28. The stent of claim 27, wherein the graft comprises polyester.
29. The stent of claim 28, further comprising a delivery system.
30. The stent of claim 25, further including a barb proximal to a distal apex.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 26, 2011
Publication Date: Jan 19, 2012
Applicant: TRIVASCULAR2, INC. (Santa Rosa, CA)
Inventors: Michael V. Chobotov (Santa Rosa, CA), Robert G. Whirley (Santa Rosa, CA)
Application Number: 13/245,652
International Classification: A61F 2/82 (20060101);