Aortic graft, and method and apparatus for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Claim 2

The aortic graft of claim 1, wherein the second means for securing the second end includes a thin-walled tubular member having a longitudinal axis, an interior, first and second ends and a smooth outer tubular member wall surface disposed between the first and second ends, the tubular member wall surface having a substantially uniform thickness and a plurality of slots formed therein, the slots being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the second end of the tube being secured to the first end of the tubular member; the tubular member having a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular member into the aorta and the tubular member having a second, expanded and deformed diameter, upon an application from the interior of the tubular member of a radially, outwardly extending force, which second diameter is variable and dependent upon the force applied to the tubular member, whereby the tubular member may be expanded and deformed to secure the second end of the tubular member within the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 3

The aortic graft of claim 2, wherein the second end of the tube is secured to the first end of the tubular member by a plurality of sutures.

Claim 4

The aortic graft of claim 1, wherein the tube has an intermediate portion which is not substantially radially expandable.

Claim 5

The aortic graft of claim 1, wherein the tube is crimped to form an undulating longitudinal cross-sectional configuration, whereby kinking or twisting of the tube is minimized.

Claim 6

An aortic graft for intraluminal delivery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries associated therewith at an aortic bifurcation having an interior surface, comprising: a tube having first and second ends and a wall surface disposed between the two ends, at least a portion of the tube adapted to be disposed within the abdominal aortic aneurysm; and means for securing the first end of the tube to the aorta, the securing means having a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the securing means into the aorta and the securing means having a second, expanded diameter, to secure the first end of the tube to the aorta; and a means for sealing the second end of the tube within the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 7

The aortic graft of claim 6, wherein the tube has an intermediate portion which is not substantially radially expandable.

Claim 8

The aortic graft of claim 6, wherein the tube is crimped to form an undulating longitudinal cross-sectional configuration, whereby kinking or twisting of the tube is minimized.

Claim 9

The aortic graft of claim 6, wherein the means for sealing the second end of the tube is at least one wire associated with the second end of the tube, the at least one wire and the second end of the tube having a first cross-sectional configuration which permits intraluminal delivery of the tube and the means for sealing within the aortic bifurcation, and a second enlarged cross-sectional configuration, wherein the at least one wire and the second end of the tube conform to, and sealingly engage, the interior surface of the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 10

The aortic graft of claim 9, wherein the at least one wire is associated with the second end of the tube by weaving the at least one wire into the second end of the tube.

Claim 11

The aortic graft of claim 10, wherein the at least one wire is woven into the second end of the tube in a generally zigzag pattern.

Claim 12

The aortic graft of claim 10, wherein the at least one wire is woven into the second end of the tube with portions of the at least one wire extending outwardly of the second end of the tube.

Claim 13

The aortic graft of claim 10, wherein the at least one wire is woven into the second end of the tube with portions of the at least one wire extending inwardly of the second end of the tube.

Claim 14

The aortic graft of claim 9, wherein the at least one wire is formed of gold.

Claim 15

The aortic graft of claim 9, wherein the at least one wire is formed of tantalum.

Claim 16

A balloon device for use in repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries associated therewith at an aortic bifurcation, comprising: a catheter having a longitudinal axis and at least three internal passageways; first and second inflatable balloons disposed upon the catheter and separated by a predetermined distance, each balloon connected to at least one of the internal passageways, the second balloon having first and second ends and a longitudinal axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the catheter, the first end of the second balloon being disposed closer to the first balloon than the second end of the second balloon; the first and second balloons having a generally cylindrical cross-sectional configuration upon being inflated defined by an outer wall surface; and the second end of the second balloon including an end wall surface which is disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a first portion of the catheter disposed within the second balloon and substantially perpendicular to the outer wall surface of the second balloon, whereby the second balloon may be readily disposed within the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 17

The balloon device of claim 16, wherein a second portion of the catheter located adjacent the second end of the second balloon is disposed at an angle of approximately thirty degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second balloon, whereby the second portion of the catheter may be readily disposed in an iliac artery adjacent the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 18

The balloon device of claim 17, wherein the second portion of the catheter is biased into the angle of approximately thirty degrees.

Claim 19

The balloon device of claim 16, wherein a second portion of the catheter located adjacent the second end of the second balloon is more flexible than the first portion of the catheter to permit the second portion of the catheter to be readily disposed at an angle of approximately thirty degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the second balloon, whereby the second portion of the catheter may be readily disposed in an iliac artery adjacent the aortic bifurcation.

Claim 20

The balloon device of claim 19, wherein the second portion of the catheter has a wall thickness which is thinner than a wall thickness of the first portion of the catheter, whereby the second portion is more flexible than the first portion.

Claim 21

The balloon device of claim 19, wherein the second portion of the catheter is formed of a first material and the first portion of the catheter is formed of a second material, the first material being more flexible than the second material.

Claim 22

A graft for intraluminal delivery to repair a body passageway, comprising: a tube having first and second ends and a wall surface disposed between the two ends, the tube adapted to be disposed within the body passageway; and means for securing the tube within the body passageway, the securing means including a thin-walled tubular member having first and second ends and a smooth outer wall surface disposed between the first and second ends, the wall surface having a substantially uniform thickness and a plurality of slots formed therein, the slots being disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, the tube being secured to the outer wall surface of the tubular member; the tubular member having a first diameter which permits intraluminal delivery of the tubular member and tube into the body passageway and the tubular member and tube having a second, expanded and deformed diameter, upon the application from the interior of the tubular member of a radially, outwardly extending force, which second diameter is variable and dependent upon the amount of force applied to the tubular member, the tube and tubular member each having a predetermined length, the length of the tube and tubular member being substantially the same, whereby the tubular member may be expanded and deformed to secure the tube within the body passageway.

Claim 23

The graft of claim 22, wherein the slots are uniformly and circumferentially spaced from adjacent slots and the slots are uniformly spaced from adjacent slots along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member, whereby at least one elongate member is formed between adjacent slots.

Claim 24

The graft of claim 23, wherein each slot has first and second ends, and the first and seconds ends of each slot are disposed intermediate the first and second ends of adjacent slots along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member.

Claim 25

The graft of claim 22, wherein the slots have a substantially rectangular configuration when the tubular member has the first diameter; and the slots have a substantially hexagonal configuration when the tubular member has the second, expanded diameter.

Claim 26

The graft of claim 22, wherein the tube is secured to the outer wall surface of the tubular member by a plurality of sutures.

Claim 27

The graft of claim 26, wherein at least one pair of sutures are utilized and the sutures of each pair of sutures are disposed on the outer wall surface of the tubular member circumferentially spaced by an angle of approximately 180 degrees.

Claim 28

The graft of claim 26, wherein the tube is folded and wrapped around the tubular member when the tubular member has its first diameter; and the tube unfurls and has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the tubular member, after the tubular member has been expanded and deformed and has the second, expanded and deformed diameter.

Claim 29

The graft of claim 22, wherein the tube is crimped to form an undulating longitudinal cross-sectional configuration, whereby kinking or twisting of the tube is minimized.

Claim 30

The graft of claim 22, wherein the tube is bioerodable.

Claim 31

The graft of claim 22, wherein the tube is impervious to the flow of fluid through the wall surface of the tube.