Patent ID: 6251133
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method of making a bifurcated stent comprising the steps of:a) preparing a sheet having a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis, and a circumferential axis, the sheet provided with:a first side having a proximal portion having a proximal end and a distal end and a distal portion having a proximal end and a distal end;a second side having a proximal end and a distal end, the second side disposed between the proximal end of the sheet and the distal end of the sheet;a third side having a proximal end and a distal end, the third side disposed between the distal end of the second side and the distal end of the sheet;a fourth side disposed between the proximal end of the proximal portion of the first side and the proximal end of the second side;a fifth side disposed between the distal end of the distal portion of the first side and the distal end of the third side, the fifth side having a length that is shorter than the length of the fourth side; anda sixth side disposed between the second side and the third side;b) attaching the second side to the proximal portion of the first side and attaching the third side to the distal portion of the first side to form a first expandable tubular member having a longitudinal bore defining a longitudinal axis, the fourth side defining a proximal stent aperture communicating with the longitudinal bore, the fifth side defining a distal stent aperture communicating with the longitudinal bore, and the sixth side and the proximal end of the third side and the proximal end of the distal portion of the first side defining a side branch aperture communicating with the longitudinal bore and sized and adapted to receive and secure a second expandable tubular member;c) delivering the first expandable tubular member to a bifurcated vessel having a first lumen and a second lumen so that the first expandable tubular member is disposed within the first lumen and the branch aperture communicates with the second lumen;d) expanding the first expandable tubular member in an amount sufficient to secure the first expandable tubular member in the first lumen;e) preparing a second expandable tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and having longitudinal bore therethrough;f) delivering the second expandable tubular member into the branch aperture of the first tubular member so that the distal end of the second expandable tubular member is disposed within the second lumen and the proximal end of the second expandable tubular member is disposed within the longitudinal bore of the first tubular member; andg) expanding the second expandable tubular member in an amount sufficient to secure the second expandable tubular member within the second lumen and within the branch aperture.