Patent ID: 9486341
Filing Date: 2016-11-08
CPC Classification: A61B,A61F

Claim Text:
1. Apparatus for attachment to an aorta of a patient, the apparatus comprising: an extra-vascular ring, which comprises a structural member, which is configured to assume, when in a relaxed state, an elongate hollow shape, which (a) has first and second longitudinal ends that are curved at least partially around a longitudinal axis defined by the elongate hollow shape, and (b) is suitable for placement at least partially around the aorta so as to provide a generally cylindrical landing zone; and an endovascular stent-graft, which is suitable for endovascular placement inside the aorta such that a portion of the endovascular stent-graft is positioned against an internal wall of the aorta at the landing zone provided by the structural member, wherein, if the structural member is unrolled to a planar shape, one side of the planar shape is defined by the first longitudinal end of the structural member, and at least the first longitudinal end has a profile that defines a series of curved portions and has no singularities or discontinuities, which profile extends along at least 50% of the first longitudinal end, wherein the profile is a corrugated profile that defines a series of smooth undulations that are shaped so as to define alternating curved peaks and curved valleys, which curved peaks extend in a direction away from the second longitudinal end and have a radius of curvature equal to at least 3% of a length of the first longitudinal end, wherein the length of the first longitudinal end is measured around the longitudinal axis when the structural member is in the relaxed state, and wherein the structural member comprises a plurality of stent struts, and wherein, if the structural member is unrolled to the planar shape, at least one of the stent struts extends completely alongside at least two of the undulations, such that the strut substantially prevents longitudinal stretching of the at least two of the undulations.