Aortic graft for repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm

Claim 1

An aortic graft for intraluminal delivery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm in an aorta having two iliac arteries associated therewith, 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 including 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 first end of the tube being secured to the second 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 first end of the tubular member to the aorta.