APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM
An endoluminal prosthesis system deployable in a region of a patient's vasculature having one or more branch vessels, having a main graft body having a first opening in a wall portion of the main graft body and a pre-loaded guidewire positioned inside the main graft body and advanced through the first opening. One or more branch grafts can be attached to the main graft body to cover one or more openings in the main graft body.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/172,126, filed Feb. 4, 2014, (entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM”), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/546,950, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,672,989, filed on Jul. 11, 2012 (entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM”), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/390,346, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,221,494, filed on Feb. 20, 2009 (entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF A GRAFT OR GRAFT SYSTEM”), which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/030,913, filed Feb. 22, 2008 (entitled “METHOD OF PLACEMENT OF AN AORTIC GRAFT”), all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to endoluminal vascular prostheses and methods of placing such prostheses, and, in one application, to endoluminal vascular prostheses for use in the treatment of vessels with branches.
2. Description of the Related Art
An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a sac caused by an abnormal dilation of the wall of the aorta, a major artery of the body, as it passes through the abdomen. The abdomen is that portion of the body which lies between the thorax and the pelvis. It contains a cavity, known as the abdominal cavity, separated by the diaphragm from the thoracic cavity and lined with a serous membrane, the peritoneum. The aorta is the main trunk, or artery, from which the systemic arterial system proceeds. It arises from the left ventricle of the heart, passes upward, bends over and passes down through the thorax and through the abdomen to about the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra, where it divides into the two common iliac arteries.
The aneurysm usually arises in the infrarenal portion of the diseased aorta, for example, below the kidneys. When left untreated, the aneurysm may eventually cause rupture of the sac with ensuing fatal hemorrhaging in a very short time. High mortality associated with the rupture led initially to transabdominal surgical repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Surgery involving the abdominal wall, however, is a major undertaking with associated high risks. There is considerable mortality and morbidity associated with this magnitude of surgical intervention, which in essence involves replacing the diseased and aneurysmal segment of blood vessel with a prosthetic device which typically is a synthetic tube, or graft, usually fabricated of polyester, urethane, Dacron®, Teflon®, or other suitable material.
To perform the surgical procedure requires exposure of the aorta through an abdominal incision which can extend from the rib cage to the pubis. The aorta must typically be closed both above and below the aneurysm, so that the aneurysm can then be opened and the thrombus, or blood clot, and arteriosclerotic debris removed. Small arterial branches from the back wall of the aorta are tied off. The Dacron® tube, or graft, of approximately the same size of the normal aorta is sutured in place, thereby replacing the aneurysm. Blood flow is then reestablished through the graft. It is necessary to move the intestines in order to get to the back wall of the abdomen prior to clamping off the aorta.
If the surgery is performed prior to rupturing of the abdominal aortic aneurysm, the survival rate of treated patients is markedly higher than if the surgery is performed after the aneurysm ruptures, although the mortality rate is still quite high. If the surgery is performed prior to the aneurysm rupturing, the mortality rate is typically slightly less than 10%. Conventional surgery performed after the rupture of the aneurysm is significantly higher, one study reporting a mortality rate of 66.5%. Although abdominal aortic aneurysms can be detected from routine examinations, the patient does not experience any pain from the condition. Thus, if the patient is not receiving routine examinations, it is possible that the aneurysm will progress to the rupture stage, wherein the mortality rates are significantly higher.
Disadvantages associated with the conventional, prior art surgery, in addition to the high mortality rate include the extended recovery period associated with such surgery; difficulties in suturing the graft, or tube, to the aorta; the loss of the existing aorta wall and thrombosis to support and reinforce the graft; the unsuitability of the surgery for many patients having abdominal aortic aneurysms; and the problems associated with performing the surgery on an emergency basis after the aneurysm has ruptured. A patient can expect to spend from one to two weeks in the hospital after the surgery, a major portion of which is spent in the intensive care unit, and a convalescence period at home from two to three months, particularly if the patient has other illnesses such as heart, lung, liver, and/or kidney disease, in which case the hospital stay is also lengthened. Since the graft must typically be secured, or sutured, to the remaining portion of the aorta, it is many times difficult to perform the suturing step because the thrombosis present on the remaining portion of the aorta, and that remaining portion of the aorta wall may many times be friable, or easily crumbled.
Since many patients having abdominal aortic aneurysms have other chronic illnesses, such as heart, lung, liver, and/or kidney disease, coupled with the fact that many of these patients are older, the average age being approximately 67 years old, these patients are not ideal candidates for such major surgery.
More recently, a significantly less invasive clinical approach to aneurysm repair, known as endovascular grafting, has been developed. Parodi, et al. provide one of the first clinical descriptions of this therapy. Parodi, J. C., et al., “Transfemoral Intraluminal Graft Implantation for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms,” 5 Annals of Vascular Surgery 491 (1991). Endovascular grafting involves the transluminal placement of a prosthetic arterial graft in the endoluminal position (within the lumen of the artery). By this method, the graft is attached to the internal surface of an arterial wall by means of attachment devices (expandable stents), typically one above the aneurysm and a second stent below the aneurysm.
Stents can permit fixation of a graft to the internal surface of an arterial wall without sewing or an open surgical procedure. Expansion of radially expandable stents is conventionally accomplished by dilating a balloon at the distal end of a balloon catheter. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,337, for example, Palmaz describes a balloon-expandable stent for endovascular treatments. Also known are self-expanding stents, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,771 to Wallsten.
In certain conditions, the diseased region of the blood vessels extends across branch vessels. The blood flow into these branch vessels is critical for the perfusion of the peripheral regions of the body and vital organs. Many arteries branch off the aorta. For example, the carotid arteries supply blood into the brain, the renal arteries supply blood into the kidneys, the superior mesenteric artery (“SMA”) supplies the pancreas, and hypogastric arteries to the reproductive organs, and the subclavian arteries supply blood to the arms. When the aorta is diseased, the branch vessels may also be affected. Thoracic aortic aneurysms may involve the subclavian and carotid arteries, abdominal aneurysms may involve the SMA, renal and hypogastric arteries. Aortic dissections may involve all branch vessels mentioned above.
There is a need to place endoluminal prostheses in the aorta without obstructing critical branch vessels. The embodiments of the endoluminal prostheses disclosed herein provide a solution to the problems described above.
SUMMARY OF SOME EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTSSome embodiments of the endoluminal prosthesis disclosed herein pertain to the design and method of placement of a branch graft system for endovascular treatment of diseased blood vessels. The branch graft system can comprise a tubular expandable main body and at least one branch graft. The branch graft is made from an expandable material, which can be ePTFE. In some embodiments, the diameter of the branch graft can be sufficiently small to be manipulated into the desired vascular position by moving the branch graft over a guidewire. The branch graft can be expanded to the diameter of the branch vessel by mechanical means, which can be a dilation balloon. In another embodiment of an endoluminal prosthesis, the main body of the branch graft system can have one large opening in the wall of the graft for the treatment of a second branch vessel. A second branch graft system can be placed inside of the first branch graft system, wherein the branch graft of the second branch graft system passed through the opening of the first branch graft system and the large opening of the second branch graft system overlaps with the branch graft of the first branch graft system.
In some embodiments, an endoluminal prosthesis system is disclosed that can comprise a first endoluminal prosthesis comprising a first main graft body having at least a first and a second opening therein and a second endoluminal prosthesis comprising a second main graft body having at least a first and a second opening therein. The first opening in the first main graft body can be smaller than the second opening in the first main graft body, and the first opening in the second main graft body can be smaller than the second opening in the second main graft body. Further, the second main graft body can be configured to be expandable substantially within the first main graft body such that the second opening of the second main graft body does not cover any portion of the first opening in the first main graft body, and such that the second opening of the first main graft body does not cover any portion of the first opening in the second main graft body. In some embodiments, when the second main graft body has been expanded within the first main graft body, the resulting endoluminal prosthesis system can have two small openings therein that are each approximately equivalent in diameter to the first opening in each of the first and second main graft bodies.
In some embodiments, a method of deploying a branch graft system in a portion of a patient's blood vessel having at least a first and a second branch blood vessel is described. In some embodiments, the method can comprise positioning a first main graft body having at least a first and a second opening therein in the patient's blood vessel so that the first opening can be substantially aligned with the first branch blood vessel and so that the second opening can be sufficiently aligned with the second branch blood vessel so that the first main graft body does not substantially cover either the first or second branch blood vessel. The method can further comprise positioning at least a portion of a second main graft body having at least a first and a second opening therein within the inside of the first main graft body so that the first opening of the second main graft body can be substantially aligned with the second branch blood vessel and so that the second opening of the second main graft body can be sufficiently aligned with the first branch blood vessel so that the second main graft body does not substantially cover either the first or second branch blood vessel. The method can further comprise expanding the first and second main graft bodies against the patient's blood vessel to create a multi-layer graft system having two openings through the wall thereof that are substantially aligned with the first and second blood vessels and have a diameter substantially equal to the first opening of each of the first and second main graft bodies, and supporting the first and second main graft bodies against the patient's blood vessel. In some embodiments the second opening in each of the first and second main graft bodies can be substantially larger than the first opening in each of the first and second main graft bodies.
In some embodiments, an endoluminal prosthesis is disclosed that can comprise an expandable main graft portion having an axial opening therethrough and at least a first branch opening therein and an expandable branch graft portion having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and an axial opening therethrough. In some embodiments, the branch graft portion can be supported by the main graft portion and the branch graft portion can be supported by the main graft portion so that the proximal end portion of the branch graft portion can be positioned around a periphery of the first branch opening in the main graft, and such that the axial opening through the branch graft portion can be in communication with the first branch opening formed in the main graft portion. In some embodiments, at least the distal end portion of the branch graft portion can be in a first, unexpanded state. In other words, in some embodiments, before the branch graft has been deployed in the desired vascular location, the distal end portion of the branch graft portion can have a diameter that is less than the diameter of the proximal end portion of the branch graft portion.
The following detailed description is now directed to certain specific embodiments of the disclosure. In this description, reference is made to the drawings wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout the description and the drawings.
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses to treat lesions, aneurysms, or other defects in the aorta, including, but not limited to, the thoracic, ascending, and abdominal aorta, to name a few. However, the systems, methods, and apparatuses may have application to other vessels or areas of the body, or to other fields, and such additional applications are intended to form a part of this disclosure. For example, it will be appreciated that the systems, methods, and apparatuses may have application to the treatment of blood vessels in animals. In short, the embodiments and/or aspects of the endoluminal prosthesis systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein can be applied to other parts of the body or may have other applications apart from the treatment of the thoracic, ascending, and abdominal aorta. And, while specific embodiments may be described herein with regard to particular portions of the aorta, it is to be understood that the embodiments described can be adapted for use in other portions of the aorta or other portions of the body and are not limited to the aortic portions described.
Because the branch graft or grafts 14 can be configured to conform to a wide range of vessels and a wide range of positions, the branch graft or grafts 14 can be of any suitable size, shape, or configuration, and can be attached to the main body graft 12 in any of a wide variety of locations. Therefore, some embodiments of the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can comprise only one branch graft 14. However, in some embodiments, the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can comprise two or more branch grafts 14, or any suitable number depending on the application.
With reference to
In some arrangements, the proximal end portion 14a of the branch graft 14 can be expanded to approximately match or conform to the expected diameter of the branch vessel and/or the diameter of the opening 12a. Thus, the branch graft 14 can be configured so as to be expandable over a wide range of sizes and cross-sectional shapes, depending on the size or shape of the branch vessel that the branch graft 14 is intended to be supported by. After removing the balloon expander 16, the proximal portion of the partially expanded branch graft 14 can be trimmed to conform to the opening 12a formed in the main body graft 12. The opening 12a can be sized and positioned to conform to the desired size location of the partially expanded branch graft 14. Thereafter, as mentioned, the branch graft 14 can be attached to the main body graft 12 using adhesive, sutures, or any other suitable attachment method, to form the endoluminal prosthesis 10 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the sutures used to attach the branch graft 14 (or any other branch graft disclosed herein) to the main body 12 (or any other main body or graft portion disclosed herein) can be made from a radiopaque (“RO”) material so that the location of the branch graft can be perceived in an x-ray or other radiation transmission during deployment. In some embodiments, the sutures can be made from platinum, gold, barium sulfate, or any other suitable RO material. Alternatively, RO markers can be sewn to or otherwise attached to the main body of the endoluminal prosthesis at any suitable position, such as but not limited to adjacent to or on the branch graft or near the end portions of the main body, again to aid in visualization of the endoluminal prosthesis during deployment.
In some embodiments, the diameter of the pre-expanded branch graft 14 (shown in
In some embodiments, the branch graft 14 can be integrally formed with the main body graft 12. In some embodiments, the branch graft 14 can be attached to the main body graft 12 using sutures, adhesive, or any other suitable attachment material or method. The junction between the branch graft or grafts 14 and the main body graft 12 can be sealed so as to substantially inhibit or prevent blood from leaking through the junction and flowing between the main body graft 12 and the aorta or other blood vessel that the main body graft 12 is positioned within. In some embodiments, the junction between the branch graft or grafts 14 and the main body graft 12 can be sealed so as to inhibit or prevent at least the majority of the blood flowing therethrough from leaking through the junction and flowing between the main body graft 12 and the aorta or other blood vessel that the main body graft 12 is positioned within. In this configuration, the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can be less susceptible to leakage between the main body graft 12 and the aorta or blood vessel at the blood vessel branch point as compared to conventional fenestrated graft systems.
In some embodiments, the main body graft 12 or the branch graft 14 of the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can be similar in size, material, or other details to other suitable expandable bifurcated or non-bifurcated endoluminal prostheses presently known or later developed in the art, or can be of any size, material, or other details of any other prosthesis presently known or later developed in the art. For example, without limitation, in some embodiments, the main body graft 12 or the branch graft 14 can comprise any of the materials, features, or other aspects of the embodiments of the polymeric sleeves or the tubular wire supports disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,296 (titled ENDOLUMINAL VASCULAR PROSTHESIS and filed on Mar. 4, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,036 (titled ENDOLUMINAL VASCULAR PROSTHESIS and filed on DEC. 11, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,049 (titled ARTICULATING BIFURCATION GRAFT and filed on FEB. 17, 1999), U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,202 (titled BIFURCATION GRAFT DEPLOYMENT CATHETER and filed on Mar. 15, 2000), U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,030 (titled BIFURCATION GRAFT DEPLOYMENT CATHETER and filed on DEC. 22, 2000), or U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,523 (titled IMPLANTABLE VASCULAR GRAFT and filed on JUN. 26, 2001). The entirety of each of the above-listed patents are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
For example, in some embodiments, the main body graft 12 and/or the branch graft 14 can be expanded using an uncovered (i.e., bare) self-expanding metal frame or a self-expanding metal frame covered with a thin graft material, which can be made from ePTFE, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,296. However, the specific design and selection of the materials, shapes, or other aspects for the main body graft 12 or the branch graft 14 of the endoluminal prosthesis 10 is not limited to the designs and configurations disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, but can be based on any suitable variety of materials, shapes, or other aspects of any other suitable endoluminal prostheses. Additionally, the main body graft 12 and/or the branch graft 14 (or any other main or branch graft disclosed herein) can be expanded using a mechanical expander, and be held in the expanded position against the blood vessel wall by the blood pressure within the vessel (i.e., without the use of a stent).
In some embodiments, the main body graft 12 can comprise an expandable metal frame to support the main body graft 12 within the aorta (not illustrated). The frame supporting the main body graft 12 of the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can be formed from a metal or any other suitable material, and can be configured so as to not obstruct the flow of blood through the opening 14b in the branch graft or grafts 14. The metal frame can comprise a self-expandable structure comprising one or more wires forming a zig-zag, tubular shape, as described above with reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,296, 6,187,036, 6,197,049, 6,500,202, 6,660,030 and/or 6,733,523. In some embodiments, the metal frame can be formed by laser cutting a tubular structure. Such structures are well known in the art. However, those of skill in the art will recognize that various configurations and constructions of the frame can be used in light of the disclosure herein.
With reference to
With reference to
The main body graft 12 and/or branch graft 14 the can be expanded and secured in the desired position by any other suitable method for such. Suitable expansion apparatuses and methods include, but are not limited to, balloon catheters, dilators, and self-expanding stents or stent grafts. Other means of securing the main body graft 12 and/or branch graft 14 may include, without limitation, self-expanding stents, stent grafts, sutures, and staples.
In some embodiments, the stent 20 can be a bare wire stent of any configuration described above or incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the stent 20 can be a graft covered stent, also of any configuration described above or incorporated herein by reference. A graft covered stent can provide a greater degree of safety to the patient by providing a double layer graft system that can be less prone to tearing or other damage.
In some arrangements, after the branch stent 20 and the branch graft 14 have been expanded within the desired branch vessel, the main body graft 12 may thereafter be expanded within the aorta. In some arrangements, the main body graft 12 can be expanded within the aorta prior to expanding the branch stent 14 within the branch vessel BV. The main body graft 12 can be expanded and held in the desired position using a self-expandable stent, or can be expanded and held in position by any other suitable stent device, such as without limitation, a balloon expandable stent. As such, similar to the branch graft 14, the main body graft 12 can be expanded and held in position with a bare metal stent or a covered stent, or any of the stents described or incorporated by reference herein.
Some embodiments of the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can be implanted within the desired vessel in a multistep process, such that an integrated deployment mechanism is not used for such embodiments of the endoluminal prosthesis 10. The expansion and stenting of the branch graft 14 can be performed in a secondary procedure, after the branch graft 14 has been positioned in the desired blood vessel.
As mentioned, in certain situations, several vessels may branch off from the main blood vessel in the location that is desired to be stented. In this case, the endoluminal prosthesis 10 can be formed with multiple branch grafts 14 formed therein or secured thereto. For example, the two renal arteries and the superior mesenteric artery (“SMA”) generally branch off from the aorta in close proximity to each other. The positions of the branch vessels generally vary from patient to patient, as shown in
The embodiments of the endoluminal prostheses in
Similarly, some embodiments of the endoluminal prostheses 40 illustrated in
The issue of variability in the anatomy has been overcome in the past by providing custom-made fenestrated grafts in which the openings (commonly referred to as fenestrations) are formed in the main body graft, which were generally custom-made to fit vessels of the individual patient. One disadvantage of custom making the fenestrated grafts after examining the individual patients vascular anatomy is that, as mentioned, the patient's anatomy is generally required to be closely examined using imaging scans prior to fabricating the fenestrated graft. Subsequently, image analysis is typically required to be performed to determine the geometrical relationship between the particular patient's main vessel and the branch vessels. This generally required the medical practitioner to individually build or modify the endoluminal prosthesis to create fenestrations at the appropriate location of the branch vessels. The custom-made graft then is generally required to be placed exactly in the correct location in the blood vessel to ensure that the fenestrations are properly aligned with the branch vessel. Another disadvantage is that this can be a multi-step, time consuming procedure. It is not uncommon to require several months to prepare a custom-made graft for the patient. Additionally, the deployment of a custom-made endoluminal prosthesis can be very difficult, typically requiring a high skill level in endovascular procedures.
The following embodiments present additional alternatives to the custom-made fenestrated grafts discussed above.
In some embodiments, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can comprise a main body 62 and first and second openings 64, 66, respectively. The main body 62 can have an inside surface 62a and an outside surface 62b. In some embodiments, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can comprise any suitable or desired number of openings. For example, without limitation, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can have one or more openings or cutouts (not illustrated) in addition to the openings 64, 66 illustrated in
In the embodiment of the endoluminal prosthesis 60 illustrated in
Further, in the illustrated embodiment where each of the openings are generally circular, the diameter of the second opening 66 can be approximately four times greater than the diameter of the first opening 64. In some embodiments, the diameter of the second opening 66 can be between approximately two times greater and approximately four times greater, or between approximately four times greater and approximately six times or more greater than the diameter of the first opening 64. Additionally, in some embodiments, the second opening 66 can be configured to be as large as is possible to cover a wide range of branch vessel anatomies. As the size of the second opening 66 is increased, the potential to treat a large range of branch vessel anatomies is also increased.
Similarly, in some embodiments where the openings are non-circular, the width and/or height of the second opening 66 can be approximately four times greater than the width and/or height of the first opening 64. In some embodiments, the width and/or height of the second opening 66 can be between approximately two times greater and approximately four times greater, or between approximately four times greater and approximately six times or more greater than the width and/or height of the first opening 64.
In some embodiments, similar to any other prosthesis disclosed herein, the prosthesis 60 can be self-expanding, balloon expandable, or can be of any other suitable configuration. The openings 64, 66 can be configured to be positioned adjacent to the two renal arteries. The first opening 64 can approximately match the size of the first renal artery, while the second opening 66 can be substantially larger that the first opening 64. As will be described in greater detail below, the size of the second opening 66 can be greater than the size of the first opening 64 to account for the variability in the location of the second renal artery with respect to the first renal artery. In this configuration, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can be positioned within the patient's vasculature so that the main body 62 of the endoluminal prosthesis 60 does not cover the second renal when the first opening 64 of the main body 62 is aligned with the patient's first renal artery.
As will be described in greater detail below, to seal the area around the second renal artery after the first endoluminal prosthesis 60 has been positioned in the patient's vasculature, another fenestrated endoluminal prosthesis 70 (also referred to herein as a second endoluminal prosthesis or graft) comprising a main body 72, a first or smaller opening 74, and a second or larger opening 76, can be inserted into the patient's vasculature on the inside of the first endoluminal prosthesis 60.
The first or smaller opening 74 of the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can be positioned within the patient's vasculature so as to be aligned with the patient's second renal artery. The second or larger opening 76 of the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can ensure that the first renal artery is not covered by the main body 72 of the second endoluminal prosthesis 70. The second, larger opening 66 in the first endoluminal prosthesis 60 and the second, larger opening 76 in the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can allow for greater variability in the location of the renal arteries, without requiring a medical practitioner to custom make the prosthesis.
In particular, after the first endoluminal prosthesis 60 has been positioned in the patient's vasculature so that the outside surface 62b can expand against and contact the walls of the patient's artery and so that the first or smaller opening 64 is approximately aligned with the first renal artery and the second or larger opening 66 is sufficiently aligned with the second renal artery so that the main body 62 does not cover the second renal artery, the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can be positioned within the patient's vasculature so that the first or smaller opening 74 is approximately aligned with the patient's second renal artery and the second or larger opening 76 is sufficiently aligned with the first renal artery so that the main body 72 does not cover the first renal artery. The second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can then be expanded so that the outside surface 72b of the main body 72 of the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 is in contact with the inside surface 62a of the main body 62 of the first endoluminal prosthesis 60.
In some embodiments, the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can be the same as or similar to the first endoluminal prosthesis 60 including, but not limited to, having the same number, size, and location of the openings as are in the first endoluminal prosthesis 60. In some embodiments, the second endoluminal prosthesis 70 can have a different configuration as compared to the first endoluminal prosthesis 60 including, but not limited to, having a different number, size, and/or location of the openings that are formed in the main body 72 of the second endoluminal prosthesis 70.
Again, the size and shape of the openings 64, 66, 74, 76 are not limited to the illustrations or the description set forth above, but can be any suitable size or shape, or can be positioned at any suitable location on the endoluminal prosthesis 60, 70, respectively. Additionally, the size, shape, or other aspects of the configuration of the endoluminal prostheses 60, 70 are not limited to the specific embodiments described or illustrated herein. The endoluminal prostheses 60, 70 can comprise any suitable size, shape, including openings or cutouts (i.e., scallops) formed in the proximal and/or distal ends thereof or other aspects of other suitable configurations known or later developed in the field including, but not limited to, other known expandable non-bifurcated and bifurcated prostheses. For example, without limitation, in some embodiments, the main body 62, 72 of the prostheses 60, 70, respectively, can comprise any of the materials, features, or other aspects of the embodiments of the endoluminal vascular prostheses disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,296, 6,187,036, 6,197,049, 6,500,202, 6,660,030 and/or 6,733,523, the entirety of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Without limitation, in some embodiments, the main body 62, 72 of the endoluminal prostheses 60, 70 may comprise any of the materials, shapes, or other aspects of the polymeric sleeves and/or the tubular wire supports disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,077,296, 6,187,036, 6,197,049, 6,500,202, 6,660,030 and/or 6,733,523. However, the specific design and selection of the materials, shapes, or other aspects for each of the main bodies 62, 72 of the endoluminal prostheses 60, 70 are not limited to those set forth in patents set forth above, but can be based on any suitable variety of materials, shapes, or other aspects of any other suitable endoluminal prostheses. In addition, the techniques and constructions of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,187,036, 6,197,049, 6,500,202, 6,660,030 and/or 6,733,523, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, can also be used and/or adapted for use with the main body 62, 72.
With reference to
In some embodiments the guidewires 80, 82 can support balloons on the distal end of the guidewires 80, 82. The balloons can be inflated in the branch vessel to removably anchor or support the guidewire 80, 82 against the vessel wall and prevent inadvertent removal of the guidewires from the branch vessels during the deployment procedure. In some embodiments, for example, one or more occlusion balloon catheters can be used. Other anchoring mechanisms can be attached to the guidewire, such as, without limitation, hooks, to removably secure one or more of the guidewires 80, 82 within or to the vessel.
Additionally, in some embodiments, one of more of the guidewires disclosed herein (such as, without limitation, guidewires 80, 82) can have a coiled distal end portion. The coiled distal end portion can be configured to be insertable into a branch vessel and can be biased to remain in the branch vessel. In particular, in some embodiments, the size or diameter of the coils can be greater than the inside diameter of the branch vessel so as to bias the coiled portion to remain within the branch vessel when the proximal end of the guidewire is retracted. In this configuration, proximal retraction of the guidewire can cause a proximal end of the coil to unravel, allowing a portion of the coiled portion of the guidewire to be unraveled and retracted while the remaining portion of the coiled portion can remain within the branch vessel. This configuration can inhibit the distal end portion of the guidewire from being inadvertently removed from the branch vessel. To completely remove the coiled distal end portion from the branch vessel, the guidewire can be retracted until the entire coiled portion is unraveled and retracted.
In some embodiments, the length of the coiled portion can be approximately 6 cm. In some embodiments, the length of the coiled portion can be between approximately 3 cm or less and approximately 5 cm, or between approximately 5 cm and approximately 7 cm, or between approximately 7 cm and approximately 9 cm or more, or from or to any values in these ranges. In some embodiments, the unraveled length of the coiled portion can be approximately 20 cm. In some embodiments, the unraveled length of the coiled portion can be between approximately 10 cm or less and approximately 15 cm, or between approximately 15 cm and approximately 20 cm, or between approximately 20 cm and approximately 25 cm or more, or from or to any values in these ranges.
However, the guidewires 80, 82 or any other guidewires disclosed herein can have any desired or suitable configuration. For example, the guidewires 80, 82 or any other guidewires disclosed herein can have the same or similar materials, configurations, methods of fabrication, and other aspects or details as the hollow guidewires set forth in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2004-0098087 A1, titled DUAL WIRE PLACEMENT CATHETER (application Ser. No. 10/706,660), filed on Nov. 12, 2003, and U.S. application Ser. No. 11/623,022, titled DUAL CONCENTRIC GUIDEWIRE AND METHODS OF BIFURCATED GRAFT DEPLOYMENT, filed on Jan. 12, 2007, the entirety of both of which are incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth herein.
With reference to
The hollow guidewires 80, 82 can pass through the outer sheath 84 from the proximal end of the delivery catheter 78 to the distal end of the delivery catheter 78. Each of the hollow guidewires 80, 82 can be configured to receive or allow the insertion of 0.014 in guidewire therethrough. In this configuration, the hollow guidewires 80, 82 can pass over guidewires 90, 92 that can be pre-placed in the appropriate vasculature.
In this configuration, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can be retained in the delivery catheter 78 by the outer sheath 84. As will be described in greater detail, retraction of the outer sheath 84 can deploy the endoluminal prosthesis 60. With the outer sheath 84 retracted, the endoluminal prosthesis 60 can expand either by self-expansion, balloon expansion, or by any other suitable method or mechanism.
As again illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, sutures or markers made from an RO material can be sewn into or attached to the endoluminal prosthesis 60 or any other prosthesis disclosed herein adjacent to the openings formed therein or at any other suitable location to assist the medical practitioner in visualizing the location of the prosthesis relative to the patient's vasculature. For example, without limitation, RO sutures can be sewn into the main body 62 of the endoluminal prosthesis 60 around each of the openings 64, 66 and/or near the end portion or portions of the main body 62. Alternatively, RO markers can be sewn to or otherwise attached to the main body of the endoluminal prosthesis 60 or any endoluminal prosthesis at any suitable position.
For example, the cutouts 118 can be advantageous when positioning the endoluminal prosthesis 110 in the vasculature below the SMA. Any of the endoluminal prostheses or other grafts disclosed in this application or incorporated by reference herein can be formed so as to comprise the one or more cutouts 118 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the branch graft 124 can be integrally formed with or can be sutured, adhered, or otherwise attached to the main body 122 in place of the first, smaller opening 64 described above with reference to endoluminal prosthesis 60. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the endoluminal prosthesis 120 can be deployed in the same manner as or similar to the method described above for deploying the endoluminal prosthesis 60. Alternatively, the endoluminal prosthesis 120 can be deployed by any suitable method. Similar to the embodiment of the endoluminal prosthesis 110 illustrated in
With reference to
Similar to the fenestrated endoluminal prostheses described above, each endoluminal prosthesis 120, 130 is independently positionable so as to accommodate a wide range of vasculature geometries or renal arteries without requiring a medical practitioner to custom make the endoluminal prosthesis. In some embodiments, the branch graft 124, 134 in the endoluminal prostheses 120, 130 can be sized to match the renal artery or branch vessel that the branch graft 124, 134 is intended to be inserted into. The position and size of the second larger opening can be configured such that it accommodates a wide range of branch vessel configurations.
Similar to the deployment of the endoluminal prostheses 60, 70 described above, the guidewires 90, 92 can be used for positioning each of the endoluminal prostheses 120, 130, and for guiding the delivery catheter for each of the branch stents, as will be described below.
Once the deployment catheter 140 has reached the desired position such that the catheter tip 142 has extended past the end of the branch graft 124, as illustrated in
As mentioned above,
Finally,
Alternatively, the branch grafts 124, 134 can be expanded within the renal artery in a manner similar to any of the methods disclosed herein for expanding the branch graft 14 in the blood vessel or renal artery. Alternatively, the branch grafts 124, 134 can be expanded within the blood vessel or renal artery following any other suitable method, which can include deploying a self-expanding or balloon expandable bare metal stent or graft covered stent therein after the branch grafts 124, 134 have been positioned in the desired blood vessel or renal artery.
Additionally, any of the endoluminal prostheses described herein can be used independently or can be used in conjunction one or more additional grafts, including the grafts disclosed herein or any other suitable grafts such as other tubular or bifurcated grafts. For example, without limitation, any of the endoluminal prostheses disclosed herein or incorporated herein by reference, or either or both of the endoluminal prostheses 120, 130 can be used in conjunction with an additional prosthesis configured the same as or similar to the endoluminal prosthesis 120 to accommodate additional branch vessels, and/or any other suitable prostheses, such as without limitation a bifurcated prosthesis.
Additionally, without limitation, any of the endoluminal prostheses disclosed herein or incorporated herein by reference, or either or both of the endoluminal prostheses 120, 130 can be used with any bifurcated graft positioned in a patient's vasculature to protect a patient's AAA. In this application, one or more of the endoluminal prostheses disclosed herein (including but not limited to endoluminal prostheses 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 110, and/or 120) can be deployed within the patient's vasculature after the bifurcated graft has been deployed across the patient's AAA. In this manner, the endoluminal prostheses disclosed herein will be positioned within the bifurcated graft it has been deployed across the patient's AAA so as to minimize or prevent blood from flowing between the main tubular portion of the bifurcated graft and the patient's blood vessel.
One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many configurations of the fenestrated grafts described herein for the treatment of a main vessel having two or more branch vessels. As described herein, in some embodiments, the overlap of two or more portions of the endoluminal prostheses each having at least one small and one large opening can combine to create an endoluminal prosthesis system with two or more small openings, which can be used address a wide range of vasculature geometries without requiring any custom fabrication of the prostheses.
While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or process illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. Additionally, the various features and processes described above can be used independently of one another, or can be combined in various ways. All possible combinations and subcombinations are intended to fall within the scope of this disclosure.
As will be recognized, certain embodiments described herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of the inventions is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, while some embodiments of the delivery and graft systems are described herein with respect to the abdominal aortic artery, the delivery and graft systems can be used for repairing vasculature in other portions of the body, including but not limited to the SMA, the inferior mesenteric artery, or any other arteries or blood vessels in the body suitable for such procedures or apparatuses.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A method of delivering an endoluminal prosthesis system, the method comprising:
- deploying a first endoluminal prosthesis in a main vessel, the first endoluminal prosthesis comprising a main body graft, a first lateral opening in a wall portion of the main body graft, and a second lateral opening in the wall portion of the main body graft, the first opening being aligned with a first branch vessel when the first endoluminal prosthesis is deployed and the second opening being aligned with a second branch vessel when the second endoluminal prosthesis is deployed so that the main body graft does not cover access to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel;
- advancing a first tubular structure carrying a first stent through the first opening and into the first branch vessel;
- advancing a second tubular structure carrying a second stent through the second opening and into the second branch vessel;
- deploying a second endoluminal prosthesis in the main vessel, the second endoluminal prosthesis comprising a main body graft, a portion of the main body graft of the second endoluminal prosthesis being deployed inside of the first endoluminal prosthesis, another portion of the main body graft of the second endoluminal prosthesis extending out of the first endoluminal prosthesis;
- deploying a first stent in the first branch vessel; and
- deploying a second stent in the second branch vessel.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first lateral opening is diametrically opposite the second lateral opening.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising delivering a first branch graft in the first branch vessel prior to deploying the first stent.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising delivering a second branch graft in the second branch vessel prior to deploying the second stent.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first branch graft is connected to the main body of the first endoluminal prosthesis.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein deploying the first stent comprises expanding the first stent with a balloon.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein the first branch vessel is the left renal artery and the second branch vessel is the right renal artery.
9. The method of claim 2, wherein the second endoluminal prosthesis comprises a bifurcated graft.
10. A method of delivering an endoluminal prosthesis system, the method comprising:
- deploying a first endoluminal prosthesis in a main vessel, the first endoluminal prosthesis comprising a main body graft, a first lateral opening in a wall portion of the main body graft, and a second lateral opening in the wall portion of the main body graft, the first opening being aligned with a first branch vessel when the first endoluminal prosthesis is deployed and the second opening being aligned with a second branch vessel when the second endoluminal prosthesis is deployed so that the main body graft does not cover access to the first branch vessel and the second branch vessel;
- advancing a first tubular structure carrying a first stent through the first opening and into the first branch vessel;
- advancing a second tubular structure carrying a second stent through the second opening and into the second branch vessel;
- deploying a second endoluminal prosthesis in the main vessel, the second endoluminal prosthesis comprising a bifurcated graft;
- deploying a first stent in the first branch vessel; and
- deploying a second stent in the second branch vessel.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first lateral opening is diametrically opposite the second lateral opening.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising delivering a first branch graft in the first branch vessel prior to deploying the first stent.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising delivering a second branch graft in the second branch vessel prior to deploying the second stent.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the first branch graft is connected to the main body of the first endoluminal prosthesis.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein deploying the first stent comprises expanding the first stent with a balloon.
16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first branch vessel is the left renal artery and the second branch vessel is the right renal artery.
17. A method of delivering an endoluminal prosthesis system, the method comprising:
- deploying a first endoluminal prosthesis in an aorta, the first endoluminal prosthesis comprising a main body graft, a first lateral opening in a wall portion of the main body graft, and a second lateral opening in the wall portion of the main body graft, the first opening being aligned with a left renal artery when the first endoluminal prosthesis is deployed and the second opening being aligned with a right renal artery when the second endoluminal prosthesis is deployed so that the main body graft does not cover access to the left renal artery and the right renal artery;
- advancing a first tubular structure carrying a first stent through the first opening and into the left renal artery;
- advancing a second tubular structure carrying a second stent through the second opening and into the right renal artery;
- deploying a second endoluminal prosthesis in an iliac artery;
- deploying a first stent in the left renal artery; and
- deploying a second stent in the right renal artery.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising delivering a first branch graft in the left renal artery prior to deploying the first stent.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising delivering a second branch graft in the right renal artery prior to deploying the second stent.
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first branch graft is connected to the main body of the first endoluminal prosthesis.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein deploying the first stent comprises expanding the first stent with a balloon.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 31, 2015
Publication Date: Dec 24, 2015
Inventors: Stefan G. Schreck (Fallbrook, CA), Joshua Benjamin (Aliso Viejo, CA), Kevin Mayberry (Mission Viejo, CA)
Application Number: 14/840,428