Mobile external coupling for branch vessel connection

A main prosthesis and a branch prosthesis assembly comprising:

• a main prosthesis configured for placement in a main vessel, the main prosthesis including a tubular body and a mobile external coupling, the tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, a body lumen disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and a body graft material, the mobile external coupling extending outwardly from the tubular body and including a coupling lumen in flow communication with the body lumen, wherein the mobile external coupling includes a generally frustoconically shaped coupling graft material, wherein the coupling graft material is a woven fabric with warp yarns which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mobile external coupling, the warp yarns including a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material of the warp yarns is annealed straight to shape set the warp yarns to urge the mobile external coupling to protrude away from the tubular body;
• and
• a branch prosthesis configured for placement in a branch vessel that extends from the main vessel, the branch prosthesis including an outer surface in contact with an inner surface of the mobile external coupling;
• wherein the mobile external coupling includes a base coupled to the tubular body and a top spaced from the tubular body, and wherein a distal portion of the mobile external coupling overlaps with a proximal end of the branch prosthesis.

A method for excluding an aneurysm at a target location near a junction of a main vessel and a branch vessel, comprising the steps of:

• delivering a main prosthesis in a compressed configuration to the target location in the main vessel, wherein the main prosthesis includes a tubular body and a mobile external coupling, the tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, a body lumen disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and a body graft material, the mobile external coupling including a coupling graft material, wherein the coupling graft material is a woven fabric with warp yarns which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the mobile external coupling, the warp yarns including a shape memory material, wherein the shape memory material of the warp yarns is annealed straight to shape set the warp yarns to urge the mobile external coupling to protrude away from the tubular body;
• retracting a first sleeve to expose the mobile external coupling;
• aligning the mobile external coupling with the branch vessel;
• and
• deploying the tubular body such that the tubular body expands from the compressed configuration to an expanded configuration,
• wherein the tubular body is disposed in the main vessel and the mobile external coupling extends into the branch vessel, wherein the mobile external coupling extends outwardly from the tubular body, and wherein the mobile external coupling includes a coupling lumen in flow communication with the body lumen.