Radiopaque markers and method of using the same

Claim 2

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque material is at least partially dispersed from the marker (14) over time.

Claim 3

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the radiopaque material has a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV.

Claim 4

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) has a thickness of from about 20 microns to about 500 microns and the radiopaque material has at least one element with an atomic number of from about 22 to about 83.

Claim 5

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) includes an oxide or salt material having at least one element with an atomic number of from about 22 to about 83.

Claim 6

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) includes a material selected from the group consisting of barium sulfate, bismuth trioxide, iodine, iodide, titanium oxide, zirconium oxide, gold, platinum, silver, tantalum, niobium, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.

Claim 7

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) is coated or alloyed with a radiopaque material that has a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV.

Claim 8

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) crosses at least one portion of the implantable endoprosthesis (16).

Claim 9

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) is in a form selected from the group consisting of wire, mono-filament, multi-filament, ribbon, suture, spring, and combinations thereof.

Claim 10

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) comprises material selected from the group consisting of metal, polymer, copolymer, ceramic, and combinations thereof.

Claim 11

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) includes at least one hollow, cavity, or porous portion.

Claim 12

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker (14) includes at least one hollow, cavity, or porous portion therein adapted to receive the radiopaque material removably attached therein.

Claim 13

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end (14a) of the marker (14) is connected to at least one of the implantable endoprosthesis delivery device (10) or a handle (21).

Claim 14

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the proximal end (14a) of the marker (14) has a hook, knob, ring, or eyelet attached thereto.

Claim 15

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 further comprising a delivery device (10) wherein the implantable endoprosthesis (16) and marker (14) are disposed in the delivery device (10) and adapted for implantation into a body lumen (12).

Claim 16

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the implantable endoprosthesis (16) is selected from the group consisting of stent, stent-graft, graft, filter, occlusive device, and valve.

Claim 17

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 1 wherein the marker system further comprises at least one elongate wire (18) removably attached to the implantable endoprosthesis wherein the marker (14) crosses at least a portion of the implantable endoprosthesis (16) and crosses the at least one elongate wire (18).

Claim 18

An implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system comprising: an implantable endoprosthesis (16) adapted to be disposed in a body lumen; and at least one elongate marker (14) removably attached to the implantable endoprosthesis (16), the marker (14) having a proximal end (14a), a distal end, a thickness, at least one hollow, cavity, or porous portion, and at least one radiopaque material having a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV wherein the radiopaque material is removably attached to at least one of the hollow, cavity, or porous portions.

Claim 19

The implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system of claim 18 wherein the radiopaque portion is at least one of a liquid, solid, powder, gel, wire, mono-filament, multi-filament, pellet, particle, and combinations thereof.

Claim 21

The method of marking an implantable endoprosthesis of claim 20 further comprising the step of performing one or more medical procedures using the markers (14) as a surgical guide prior to removing at least a portion of the marker (14) from the endoprosthesis (16).

Claim 22

The method of marking an implantable endoprosthesis of claim 20 wherein the marker (14) includes a radiopaque portion (13) and a secondary portion and the radiopaque portion (13) is first substantially removed from the implantable endoprosthesis (16) prior to removal of the remaining secondary portion of the marker (14).

Claim 23

The method of marking an implantable endoprosthesis of claim 20 wherein removing the marker (14) from the implantable endoprosthesis (16) is performed by a force controlled from outside the body.

Claim 24

The method of marking an implantable endoprosthesis of claim 20 further comprising the steps of removably-attaching at least one wire to at least a portion of the implantable endoprosthesis (16) and crossing the wire (18) or the elongate marker (14) over the other such that one of the marker (14) or the wire (18) requires removal prior to removal of the other from the implantable endoprosthesis (16).

Claim 25

An implantable endoprosthesis and radiopaque marker system comprising: an implantable endoprosthesis (16) having a tubular and radially expandable structure adapted to be disposed in a body lumen (12); and at least one elongate marker (14) removably attached to the implantable endoprosthesis (16), the marker (14) including a radiopaque material having a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV, a proximal end (14a), a distal end, and a thickness wherein the radiopaque material disperses into the body when in vivo .

Claim 26

The implantable endoprosthesis (16) and radiopaque marker system of claim 25 wherein the implantable endoprosthesis further comprises an axially flexible structure including a plurality of the elongate elements which are interwoven in a braid-like configuration.

Claim 27

A temporary radiopaque marker comprising: an elongate marker (14) having a proximal end (14a), a distal end, an average thickness of from about 20 microns to about 500 microns, and including a radiopaque material having a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV wherein the marker (14) is adapted to be removably attached to an implantable endoprosthesis (16).

Claim 28

The temporary radiopaque marker of claim 27 wherein the proximal end (14a) further comprises at least one of a hook, knob, or eyelet.

Claim 29

In combination, a discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis comprising: an implantable endoprosthesis (16) having one or more attachment areas and adapted to be disposed in a body lumen (12); and one or more elongate markers (24) having a proximal end (24a), a distal end (24b), and one or more portions therebetween, the markers (24) having a thickness of from about 20 microns to about 500 microns and including a radiopaque material having a linear attenuation coefficient of from about 10 cm -1 at 50 KeV to about 120 cm -1 at 50 KeV, the one or more portions of the marker (24) being deformed and permanently disposed about the one or more attachment areas of the endoprosthesis (16).

Claim 30

The in combination, discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis of claim 29 wherein the markers (24) are deformed by at least one of plastic deformation, elastic deformation, or combinations thereof.

Claim 31

The in combination, discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis of claim 29 wherein the marker (24) further includes one of a twist, knot, crimp, weld, and combinations thereof.

Claim 32

The in combination, discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis of claim 29 wherein the one or more portions are ductile.

Claim 33

The in combination, discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis of claim 29 wherein the marker (24) is a spring.

Claim 34

The in combination, discrete radiopaque marker and implantable endoprosthesis of claim 29 wherein the deformation of one or more portions of the marker (24) into an attachment position on the attachment area thereby prevents the marker (24) from releasing from the implantable endoprosthesis (16).