Apparatus and method for deploying an implantable device within the body
AssigneeTaheri LaDuca LLC
InventorsRobert LaDuca, Paul LaDuca
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides devices and methods for fabricating and deploying an implantable device within the body. The invention is particularly suitable for delivering and deploying a stent, graft or stent graft device within a vessel or tubular structure within the body, particularly where the implant site involves two or more interconnecting vessels. The delivery and deployment system utilizes a plurality of strings which are releasably attached to the luminal ends of the implantable device.
Claims41
An implantable stent for deployment into a vessel or tubular structure comprising:
- a main lumen having a proximal end and a distal end;
- and
- at least one side branch lumen interconnected and in fluid communication with the main lumen;
- wherein at least one of the main lumen and the at least one side branch lumen is adjustable.
A method of fabricating an implantable device having a main lumen and at least one side branch lumen, said method comprising:
- a mandrel device comprising a main mandrel and at least one side mandrel extending substantially transverse to the main mandrel, wherein each of the main mandrel and the at least one side mandrel have a plurality of pins extending there from;
- and
- winding a length of wire around the pins of the mandrel device, wherein the wound wire forms interconnected cells, wherein the cells of the main mandrel form the main lumen of the implantable device and the cells of the at least one side mandrel form the at least one side branch lumen of the at least one side branch lumen, and wherein the cells of the main lumen are interconnected with the cells of the at least one side branch lumen.
A system for delivering and deploying an implant within a vessel or tubular structure within the body, the implant having a distal end and a proximal end defining a length therebetween and having a diameter, the system comprising:
- a first catheter configured for slidable retention of the implant therein;
- at least one string adapted for releasable attachment to the implant;
- a second catheter configured for removable attachment to the at least one string;
- wherein the first and second catheters are in substantial axial alignment with each other upon attachment of the at least one string to the second catheter.
A method of implanting a device to a target location within a vessel or tubular structure within the body having a main vessel and at least one side branch vessel in fluid communication with the main vessel, the method comprising:
- creating first and second incisions within the body;
- advancing a first catheter through the vasculature from the first incision to the second incision until a first end of the catheter is exposed from the second incision;
- tethering the first catheter to a first end of the second catheter;
- retracting the first catheter from the first incision until the first end of the second catheter is positioned at the target location;
- advancing the device through the second catheter;
- and
- deploying the device from the first end of the catheter at the target location.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.