Patent ID: 7699883
Filing Date: 2010-04-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A combination of a deployment apparatus and a vascular graft, the graft having a main portion and a branch portion that is connected to the main portion by an articulating joint, the combination comprising: a main elongate flexible member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; a second elongate member, slidably housed in the lumen of the main elongate member, having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen extending therebetween, and a longitudinal groove located on the distal end; wherein the second elongate member comprises a plurality of adjacent segments along at least a portion of its length; wherein each of the plurality of adjacent segments lies substantially along a plane; wherein the plane of each adjacent segment is substantially parallel to the plane of a neighboring adjacent segment; wherein at least two neighboring segments of the plurality of adjacent segments are separated by a distance extending along a longitudinal axis of the second elongate member; wherein each of the at least two neighboring segments of the plurality of adjacent segments extends substantially along a perimeter of a cross-section of the second elongate member and is discontinuous at the longitudinal groove; and wherein each of the at least two neighboring segments of the plurality of adjacent segments comprises a reinforced portion that provides more radial reinforcement of the second elongate member than exists between the at least two neighboring segments of the plurality of adjacent segments, such that the main portion of the vascular graft is maintained within the lumen of the second elongate member; a pusher slidably housed in the lumen of the main elongate member, located proximal to the distal end of the second elongate member; wherein the main portion of vascular graft is positioned within the lumen of the second elongate member between the distal end of the second elongate member and the pusher; wherein the main portion comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; wherein the branch portion comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween; wherein the proximal end and the distal end of the branch portion are each distinct from each of the proximal end and distal end of the main portion; wherein the articulating joint of the vascular graft extends, at least partially, through the longitudinal groove of the second elongate member; and wherein the main portion is configured such that when (a) the combination is at least partially in a main vessel, and (b) the main elongate member is retracted proximally relative to the main portion, and (c) the second elongate member is retracted proximally such that the articulating joint moves distally relative to the groove, then the main portion expands in the main vessel, such that after expansion of the main portion in the main vessel and after expansion of the branch portion in a branch vessel that branches off the main vessel, the proximal and distal ends of the main portion reside entirely within the main vessel while the proximal and distal ends of the branch portion reside entirely within the branch vessel.