Patent ID: 6942691

Claim:
A method for repairing an aorta in an area proximate renal arteries and having a point of bifurcation, using a graft assembly including a first element and a second element, the first element having a bifurcation junction, first and second legs extending from the bifurcation junction, a support stent disposed distal to the bifurcation junction, and a plurality of leg support devices at least one of which is operatively associated with each of the first and second legs, the second element having a second element support structure attached thereto prior to placement of the second element in an aorta, comprising: inserting the first element within the aorta; configuring the bifurcation junction of the first element at the point of bifurcation of the aorta such that the graft spans and is supported by the point of bifurcation; actuating the leg support devices to affix the first and second legs within the aorta; attaching the second element to the first element subsequent to actuating the leg support devices to affix the first and second legs; and configuring the second element support structure to fixate the second element superior to the renal arteries by causing the second element support structure to directly engage and be in contact with the aorta so that the second element extends from contact with the first element to superior the renal arteries.