Intraluminal graft assembly and vessel repair system

#The present invention relates generally to radially self-expanding support frames for intraluminal therapeutic use. More particularly, the present invention relates to an intraluminal support frame having a graft material disposed on its surface.

#Various types of disease conditions present clinical situations in which a vessel of a patient needs to be artificially supported or held in an open position. For example, blood flow through an artery can be impeded due to a build-up of cholesterol. Also, walls of a vessel may be weakened by an aneurysm.

#Intraluminal support frames, sometimes referred to as stents, provide an artificial mechanism to support a body vessel. Generally, these support frames are tubular structures formed in a mesh pattern of metal, plastic, or other suitable material. Self-expanding support frames are able to take on a radially compressed configuration, which facilitates delivery of the frame to the site of interest. Once at the site, the force holding the frame in the radially compressed configuration is removed, and the frame takes on its radially expanded configuration. In this configuration, the frame exerts radially outward force on the vessel, which supports the vessel.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an intraluminal graft assembly according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support frame of the assembly is in a radially expanded configuration.

#FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1. The support frame of the assembly is in a radially compressed configuration.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of an intraluminal graft assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The support frame of the assembly is in a radially expanded configuration.

#The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention provides examples of the present invention. The embodiments discussed herein are merely exemplary in nature, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. Rather, the description of these preferred embodiments serves to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and use the present invention.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an intraluminal graft assembly 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The graft assembly 10 includes a support frame 12, one or more connectors 14, and a graft 16.

#A variety of stent types can be used as the support frame. For example, both self-expanding and balloon-expandable stents can be used. Preferably, the support frame 12 is a radially self-expanding support frame formed into a tubular structure. The support frame 12 is able to take on at least two configurations: a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. FIG. 1 illustrates the support frame 12 in the radially expanded configuration. The support frame 12 takes on the radially compressed configuration when a constraining force is applied around the frame 12, such as when the frame is stored in a delivery device for later deployment. FIG. 2 illustrates the graft assembly 10 of FIG. 1 with the support frame 12 in the radially compressed configuration. In this configuration, the support frame 12 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the frame 12 when in the radially expanded configuration (illustrated in FIG. 1). Also, the support frame 12 has a length that is greater than the length of the frame 12 when it is in the radially expanded configuration (illustrated in FIG. 1).