Fenestrated intraluminal stent system

#1. Technical Field

#This invention relates to a medical device and, in particular, a prosthesis for implantation within the human or animal body for the repair of damaged vessels such as blood vessels, and a method for implanting the same.

#2. Related Art

#The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

#FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of an introducer a prosthesis partially deployed.

#FIG. 1B is detail perspective view of a portion of the prosthesis shown in FIG. 1A.

#FIG. 1A shows an endoluminal prosthesis 20, and an endovascular deployment system, also known as an introducer, for deploying the prosthesis 20 in a lumen of a patient during a medical procedure. The term “prosthesis” means any replacement for a body part or function of that body part. It can also mean a device that enhances or adds functionality to a physiological system. The terms “intraluminal” and “endoluminal” describes objects that are found or can be placed inside a lumen in the human or animal body. A lumen can be an existing lumen or a lumen created by surgical intervention. This includes lumens such as blood vessels, parts of the gastrointestinal tract, ducts such as bile ducts, parts of the respiratory system, etc. “Endoluminal prosthesis” or “Intraluminal prosthesis” thus describes a prosthesis that can be placed inside one of these lumens.

#The introducer shown in FIG. 1A includes an external manipulation section 1, a distal positioning mechanism attachment region 2 and a proximal positioning mechanism attachment region 3. During the medical procedure to deploy the prosthesis 20, the distal and proximal attachment regions 2 and 3 will travel through the lumen to a desired deployment site. The external manipulation section 1, which is acted upon by a user to manipulate the introducer, remains outside of the patient throughout the procedure.

#The prosthesis 20 comprises a tubular graft material 50, with self expanding stents 19 attached thereto. The term “graft” means the generally cannular or tubular member which acts as an artificial vessel. A graft by itself or with the addition of other elements can be an endoluminal prosthesis. The term “stent” means any device or structure that adds rigidity, expansion force or support to a prosthesis.