US6273909B1 — Endovascular graft system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 155 words

An attachment member for anchoring a graft system at a desired location in a vessel of a patient's vascular system, the attachment member comprising: a cranial zone comprising a plurality of interconnected cranial struts, the cranial zone having a first radial strength the cranial struts having a first cross-sectional area; a caudal zone comprising a plurality of interconnected caudal struts, the caudal zone having a second radial strength, the caudal struts having a second cross-sectional area; and an intermediate zone having multiple joining longitudinal intermediate struts located between and connecting the cranial and caudal zones, the intermediate zone having a third radial strength which is less than the first and second radial strengths, the intermediate struts having a third cross-sectional area which is less than the first and second cross-sectional areas, the cranial and caudal zones being formed from a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a first delivery configuration to a second deployed configuration.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 155 words

An attachment member for anchoring a graft system at a desired location in a vessel of a patient's vascular system, the attachment member comprising: a cranial zone comprising a plurality of interconnected cranial struts, the cranial zone having a first radial strength the cranial struts having a first cross-sectional area; a caudal zone comprising a plurality of interconnected caudal struts, the caudal zone having a second radial strength, the caudal struts having a second cross-sectional area; and an intermediate zone having multiple joining longitudinal intermediate struts located between and connecting the cranial and caudal zones, the intermediate zone having a third radial strength which is less than the first and second radial strengths, the intermediate struts having a third cross-sectional area which is less than the first and second cross-sectional areas, the cranial and caudal zones being formed from a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a first delivery configuration to a second deployed configuration.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the material forming the caudal zone forms a Z-shaped pattern.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the material forming the cranial zone forms a Z-shaped pattern.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 17 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the material forming the cranial zone forms a diamond-shaped pattern.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the first radial strength is approximately equal to the second radial strength.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 13 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the caudal zone further comprises barbs.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the intermediate zone has at least three longitudinal struts.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 53 words

The attachment member of claim 1 wherein the cranial struts have a first width and thickness, the caudal struts have a second width and thickness, and the intermediate struts have a third width and thickness, and further wherein the third width and thickness is less than the first and second widths and thicknesses.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The attachment member of claim 8 wherein the first width and thickness is approximately equal to the second width and thickness.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 138 words

A stent comprising: a first engaging portion comprising first struts having a first cross-sectional area; a second engaging portion comprising second struts having a second cross-sectional area, the first and second engaging portions comprising a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration; an intermediate portion having multiple longitudinal struts having a third cross-sectional area, each of the longitudinal struts having first and second ends, the first ends being affixed to the first engaging portion and the second ends being affixed to the second engaging portion, the intermediate struts being configured such that the first engaging portion can be deployed to engage the walls of the vessel substantially independently of the deployment of the second engaging portion, wherein the third cross sectional area is less than the first and second cross sectional areas.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 138 words

A stent comprising: a first engaging portion comprising first struts having a first cross-sectional area; a second engaging portion comprising second struts having a second cross-sectional area, the first and second engaging portions comprising a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration; an intermediate portion having multiple longitudinal struts having a third cross-sectional area, each of the longitudinal struts having first and second ends, the first ends being affixed to the first engaging portion and the second ends being affixed to the second engaging portion, the intermediate struts being configured such that the first engaging portion can be deployed to engage the walls of the vessel substantially independently of the deployment of the second engaging portion, wherein the third cross sectional area is less than the first and second cross sectional areas.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The attachment member of claim 10 wherein the longitudinal struts are configured to maintain the first and second engaging portions in a substantially parallel relationship when the attachment member is deployed in a vessel which causes the attachment member to bend.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 16 words

The attachment member of claim 10 wherein the intermediate portion has at least three longitudinal struts.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 255 words

A method for repairing an aneurysm in an aorta with a graft system having an aortic attachment member having first and second engaging portions separated by an intermediate portion, the first and second engaging portions being made of a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, the second engaging portion being attached to a trunk having first and second branches adapted to be mated with first and second legs, thus forming first and second conduits, each conduit comprising a graft component and having an iliac attachment element at its caudal end, the aorta branching into two iliac arteries, the method comprising: advancing the aortic attachment member and attached trunk though an iliac artery into the aorta by means of a first catheter; positioning the aortic attachment member within the aorta at a desired location; deploying the first engaging portion of the attachment member so that it seats against the wall of the aorta before the aorta has been substantially occluded by deployment of the second engaging portion; deploying the second engaging portion of the attachment member; advancing the first leg by means of the first catheter through the iliac artery to mate with the first branch of the trunk, thus forming a first conduit; advancing the second leg by means of a second catheter though a second iliac artery to mate with the second branch of the trunk, thus forming a second conduit; and deploying the iliac attachment element of the first and second conduits within the iliac arteries.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 255 words

A method for repairing an aneurysm in an aorta with a graft system having an aortic attachment member having first and second engaging portions separated by an intermediate portion, the first and second engaging portions being made of a self-expanding material capable of expanding from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration, the second engaging portion being attached to a trunk having first and second branches adapted to be mated with first and second legs, thus forming first and second conduits, each conduit comprising a graft component and having an iliac attachment element at its caudal end, the aorta branching into two iliac arteries, the method comprising: advancing the aortic attachment member and attached trunk though an iliac artery into the aorta by means of a first catheter; positioning the aortic attachment member within the aorta at a desired location; deploying the first engaging portion of the attachment member so that it seats against the wall of the aorta before the aorta has been substantially occluded by deployment of the second engaging portion; deploying the second engaging portion of the attachment member; advancing the first leg by means of the first catheter through the iliac artery to mate with the first branch of the trunk, thus forming a first conduit; advancing the second leg by means of a second catheter though a second iliac artery to mate with the second branch of the trunk, thus forming a second conduit; and deploying the iliac attachment element of the first and second conduits within the iliac arteries.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 155 words

A biluminal endovascular graft system capable of being deployed at a desired location within a vessel in a patient's vascular system, comprising: a first delivery catheter having a retractable outer sheath adapted to be delivered through a first femoral artery; the first delivery catheter containing therein a first leg and a graft portion comprising an aortic attachment member attached to a trunk having first and second branches, the graft portion and the first leg being positioned in the first delivery catheter in a non-overlapping manner such that the graft portion may be deployed independently of the first leg and the first leg can be deployed thereafter within the first branch of the trunk; a second delivery catheter having a retractable outer sheath adapted to be delivered through a second femoral artery; the second delivery catheter containing therein a second leg, such that the second leg can be deployed within the second branch of the trunk.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 155 words

A biluminal endovascular graft system capable of being deployed at a desired location within a vessel in a patient's vascular system, comprising: a first delivery catheter having a retractable outer sheath adapted to be delivered through a first femoral artery; the first delivery catheter containing therein a first leg and a graft portion comprising an aortic attachment member attached to a trunk having first and second branches, the graft portion and the first leg being positioned in the first delivery catheter in a non-overlapping manner such that the graft portion may be deployed independently of the first leg and the first leg can be deployed thereafter within the first branch of the trunk; a second delivery catheter having a retractable outer sheath adapted to be delivered through a second femoral artery; the second delivery catheter containing therein a second leg, such that the second leg can be deployed within the second branch of the trunk.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 183 words

A biluminal endovascular graft system capable of being deployed at a desired location within a vessel by one or more catheters introduced into a patient's vascular system, the biluminal endovascular graft system comprising: an attachment member having a first engaging portion, an intermediate portion and a second engaging portion, a trunk formed of a biocompatible graft material, the trunk being affixed to and extending from one of the engaging portions of the attachment member, such that the other engaging portion and the intermediate portion do not lie within the trunk, the trunk having first and second branches; first and second legs adapted to be deployed in a manner such that they extend from the first and second branches, respectively, the first branch and first leg forming a first conduit and the second branch and second leg forming a second conduit; and a plurality of spaced apart stent segments lining the first and second conduits and attached to the graft material, the diameter of graft material overlying a stent segment being greater than the diameter of graft material between the spaced apart stent segments.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 183 words

A biluminal endovascular graft system capable of being deployed at a desired location within a vessel by one or more catheters introduced into a patient's vascular system, the biluminal endovascular graft system comprising: an attachment member having a first engaging portion, an intermediate portion and a second engaging portion, a trunk formed of a biocompatible graft material, the trunk being affixed to and extending from one of the engaging portions of the attachment member, such that the other engaging portion and the intermediate portion do not lie within the trunk, the trunk having first and second branches; first and second legs adapted to be deployed in a manner such that they extend from the first and second branches, respectively, the first branch and first leg forming a first conduit and the second branch and second leg forming a second conduit; and a plurality of spaced apart stent segments lining the first and second conduits and attached to the graft material, the diameter of graft material overlying a stent segment being greater than the diameter of graft material between the spaced apart stent segments.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-08-13	2005-02-12	2005-08-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-08-13	2009-02-12	2009-08-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-08-13	2013-02-12	2013-08-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Endovascular graft system

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