Patent ID: 8262721

Claim:
An implantable device for facilitating fluid flow between a branch of a bifurcated lumen and an interior region of the implantable device, the implantable device comprising: a scaffolding of struts formed from a tube of memory material and having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the scaffolding comprises a plurality of interconnected legs and connectors, and wherein the legs extend in circumferential rows about the implantable device, and the connectors extend longitudinally between adjacent rows; a cover applied to and between the scaffolding of struts to define an interior region within the scaffolding; and at least one drainage region having a proximal end, a distal end, wherein the drainage region is offset from the proximal and distal ends of the scaffolding to facilitate fluid flow between the branch of the bifurcated lumen and the interior region of the scaffolding, and wherein the drainage region comprises: at least one drainage hole defined between the scaffolding and through the cover such that fluid is capable of flowing through the drainage hole, wherein the at least one drainage hole has a periphery that follows a contour defined by a first plurality of interconnected legs of adjacent rows of the scaffolding and a first pair of connectors extending therebetween, such that all the legs and connectors are located outside of the periphery of the at least one drainage hole; and a plurality of supplemental drainage holes defined between the scaffolding and through a portion of the cover bounded by a second plurality of interconnected legs of adjacent rows of the scaffolding and a second pair of connectors extending therebetween, wherein each of the supplemental drainage holes has a periphery spaced from the second plurality of interconnected legs of adjacent rows and the second pair of connectors extending therebetween, such that fluid is capable of flowing through each of the plurality of supplemental drainage holes.