Inflatable stent

A method of by-passing a section of pipe, the method comprising:

• obtaining access to a section of pipe at two locations, one upstream and one downstream, to either side of a section of pipe to be by-passed;
• deploying an inflatable stent into each of the two locations, the inflatable stent comprising an inflatable portion that comprises:
• an inner membrane of a flexible sheet material defining a first end and a second end of the inflatable portion, and a passage there between when inflated;
• and
• an outer membrane of a flexible sheet material disposed about the inner membrane, the outer membrane defining a first diameter of the stent when inflated;
• wherein, when inflated, the inner and outer membranes are radially spaced apart to define an annular space there between;
• the inner and outer membranes are connected by a plurality of connecting members in the annular space, and by first and second end caps that connect the membranes at the respective first and second ends of the inflatable portion;
• wherein the inflatable portion is further provided with at least one inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion that defines a second, larger diameter of the stent, when the inflatable portion is inflated;
• and
• wherein the at least one inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion is inflatable by being in fluid communication with the annular space and inflates when the annular space, or a part of the annular space, is inflated;
• and each inflatable stent having a passage therethrough;
• inflating the stents so as to obtain substantially sealing engagement with the inner walls of the pipe;
• providing a by-pass pipe running externally of the pipe from the upstream location to the downstream location;
• and
• providing a route of fluid communication from upstream to downstream through the passages of the inflatable stents and via the by-pass pipe to by-pass the said section of pipe.

An inflatable stent comprising an inflatable portion that comprises:

• an inner membrane of a flexible sheet material defining a first end and a second end of the inflatable portion, and a passage there between when inflated;
• and
• an outer membrane of a flexible sheet material disposed about the inner membrane, the outer membrane defining a first diameter of the stent when inflated;
• wherein, when inflated, the inner and outer membranes are radially spaced apart to define an annular space there between;
• the inner and outer membranes are connected by a plurality of connecting members in the annular space, and by first and second end caps that connect the membranes at the respective first and second ends of the inflatable portion;
• wherein the inflatable portion is further provided with at least one inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion that defines a second, larger diameter of the stent, when the inflatable portion is inflated;
• wherein the at least one inflatable pipe or lumen engaging portion is inflatable by being in fluid communication with the annular space and inflates when the annular space, or a part of the annular space, is inflated;
• and
• further comprising a sealing membrane to block flow through the passage or redirect flow through a side port or a selected end of the stent.