Branch vessel prostheses

#The present embodiments relate generally to medical devises, and more particularly, to branch vessel prostheses that may be used with a main vessel prosthesis.

#The functional vessels of human and animal bodies, such as blood vessels and ducts, occasionally weaken or even rupture. For example, the aortic wall can weaken, resulting in an aneurysm. Upon further exposure to hemodynamic forces, such an aneurysm can rupture. In Western European and Australian men who are between 60 and 75 years of age, aortic aneurysms greater than 29 mm in diameter are found in 6.9% of the population, and those greater than 40 mm are present in 1.8% of the population.

#One surgical intervention for weakened, aneurysmal or ruptured vessels involves the use of an endoluminal prosthesis to provide some or all of the functionality of the original, healthy vessel and/or preserve any remaining vascular integrity by replacing a length of the existing vessel wall that spans the site of vessel failure. These prostheses may seal off the failed portion of the vessel. For weakened or aneurysmal vessels, even a small leak in the prosthesis may lead to the pressurization of or flow in the treated vessel, which aggravates the condition the prosthesis was intended to treat. A prosthesis of this type can, for example, treat aneurysms of the abdominal aortic, iliac, or branch vessels such as the renal arteries.

#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.

#FIGS. 1A-1B are side and side-sectional views, respectively, of a branch vessel prosthesis according to a first embodiment in an expanded deployed state.

#FIG. 2 is a side view of a main vessel prosthesis coupled to the branch vessel prosthesis of FIGS. 1A-1B.

#In the present application, the term “proximal” refers to a direction that is generally closest to the heart during a medical procedure, while the term “distal” refers to a direction that is furthest from the heart during a medical procedure.

#Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1B, a first embodiment of a branch vessel prosthesis 20 is shown and described. The branch vessel prosthesis 20 comprises a graft 30 including a generally tubular body of a biocompatible material. In this embodiment, the branch vessel prosthesis 20 comprises a proximal region 40, a distal region 60, and a central region 50 disposed between the proximal and distal regions 40 and 60. A lumen 35 allows fluid flow between the proximal and distal regions 40 and 60 in the expanded deployed state shown in FIGS. 1A-1B.

#Many different types of graft materials may be used for the graft 30. Common examples of graft materials currently used include expandable polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), Dacron, polyester, fabrics and collagen. However, graft materials may be made from numerous other materials as well, including both synthetic polymers and natural tissues.