Patent ID: 7608100
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An intraluminal graft assembly, comprising: a support frame comprising a tubular structure of woven threads having an upstream end, a downstream end, a first configuration with a first length and a first diameter, and a second configuration with a second length that is shorter than the first length and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; at least one connector on the upstream end of the support frame; and a graft disposed on the support frame, wherein an upstream end of the graft is attached to the upstream end of the support frame by the at least one connector, the graft extending only along a fractional length of the first length of the support frame and a downstream end of the graft is not connected to the support frame, the graft thereby not extending beyond the downstream end of the support frame in the first configuration, wherein the graft has a thickness and defines an opening through the thickness, and wherein the connector passes through the opening, wherein the support frame is formed of at least two frame threads having terminal ends, and wherein the connector comprises: wherein the barb extends through a single hole in the graft such that a portion of the barb where the two frame threads join is disposed radially inward of the graft and a portion of the barb including the single tapered point is disposed radially outward of the graft.