A method and article for performing an aneurysm repair is the subject of the present invention. A prosthetic graft is utilized to replace the damaged segment of the blood vessel. The graft is characterized by being movable from a collapsed formation of a diameter less than the diameter of the vessel to an open formation of a diameter approximately equal to that of the vessel. A plurality of radially spaced anchoring pins are located adjacent each end of the graft and provide means for securing the graft to the wall of the healthy vessel, on opposite sides of the aneurysm. Once in place, hemodynamic pressure will assure a continued fluid tight seal between the graft and the healthy vessel wall tissue. The prosthetic graft may be used without the need for major surgery by securing it to a catheter and inserting the catheter at a distal location from the aneurysm. The catheter with the prosthetic graft attached is moved through the vessel, utilizing fluoroscopic and X-ray data, to the area of the aneurysm. When in the proper location, the graft is moved, through remote control, to the open formation where the anchoring pins secure it to the vessel wall. The catheter may then be withdrawn as is the remote control operative linkage.
A method for implanting a tubular graft within a preselected blood vessel utilizes apparatus embodiments for inserting the graft endwise and axially through the blood vessel into place therein and for operatively securing the graft to the inside wall of the blood vessel with surgical staple-like clips. For inserting the graft through the blood vessel, an apparatus embodiment includes a lengthy conduit for insertion through the blood vessel and having a distal end adapted to selectively expand and contract for cooperating with a preformed hole in the sidewall of the graft for binding the graft to or releasing the graft from the distal end. For securing the graft to the wall of the blood vessel, an apparatus embodiment includes an inflatable body adapted to retain the staple-like clips in a circular formation so that the pointed legs of the clips are directed generally radially outwardly of the circular formation and a mechanism for abruptly inflating the inflatable body to thereby drive the clips radially outwardly and through the wall of the tubular graft. A magnet can be used to retain the clips in condition against the inflatable body prior to being driven outwardly as aforesaid. The method of the invention includes the steps involved in implanting the tubular graft in the preselected blood vessel.
A method and apparatus for repairing inside the body a damaged section of a blood vessel, including an occlusion catheter which is inserted into the vessel at an incision site remote from the damaged section. An umbrella-like stopper at the proximal end of the occlusion catheter is positioned upstream of the damaged section whereupon it is opened to block the flow of blood through the damaged section. A prosthetic graft is inserted into the vessel around a balloon catheter. The outer periphery of the graft is coated with a contact adhesive which is brought into contact with the healthy walls of the vessel on either side of the damaged section by inflation of the balloon catheter. The graft adheres permanently to the walls of the vessel thereby replacing the damaged section while leaving the normal circulatory pathways intact.
A stent for reinforcing a vessel wall is disclosed. The stent is constructed from two elongated wires which are each bent into a series of tight bends. The two wires are permanently adhered at a first interconnection junction. The two wires are then wrapped around a mandrel repeatedly forming two opposing series of interconnections. The two wires are then permanently adhered at a second interconnection junction after a desired stent length is obtained. The completed stent forms a cylindrical form which can be expanded from an initial diameter to a larger implanted diameter by application of a radially outward force from a balloon catheter or the like.
A stent for reinforcing a vessel wall is constructed from a single elongated wire. The wire is first bent into a series of tight bends. The wire is then further bent into a sequence of loops that are connected by half hitch junctions and interconnections which are either aligned or spiral around a circumference of the stent. The completed stent forms a cylindrical form which can be expanded from a initial diameter to a larger implanted diameter by application of a radially outward force from a balloon catheter or the like.
An intravascular prosthesis comprises a lining rolled upon itself around an axis so that it is introducible into a vascular lumen. An inflatable channel is included for unrolling the lining when the prosthesis is positioned within the lumen so that the lining may engage the vascular wall to provide support therefor.
