Abstract A method and article for performing an aneurysm repair is the subject of the present invention. A prosthetic graft is utilized to replace the damaged segment of the blood vessel. The graft is characterized by being movable from a collapsed formation of a diameter less than the diameter of the vessel to an open formation of a diameter approximately equal to that of the vessel. A plurality of radially spaced anchoring pins are located adjacent each end of the graft and provide means for securing the graft to the wall of the healthy vessel, on opposite sides of the aneurysm. Once in place, hemodynamic pressure will assure a continued fluid tight seal between the graft and the healthy vessel wall tissue. The prosthetic graft may be used without the need for major surgery by securing it to a catheter and inserting the catheter at a distal location from the aneurysm. The catheter with the prosthetic graft attached is moved through the vessel, utilizing fluoroscopic and X-ray data, to the area of the aneurysm. When in the proper location, the graft is moved, through remote control, to the open formation where the anchoring pins secure it to the vessel wall. The catheter may then be withdrawn as is the remote control operative linkage.
A method of repairing a damaged segment of a blood vessel inside the body utilizing a snythetic graft characterized by being movable through the vessel in a collapsed formation utilizing an elongated flexible line, said graft being adapted to be opened up to an expanded formation wherein said graft presents a tubular opening of approximately the same size as said vessel, said method comprising the steps of: securing said graft to an elongated flexible line adapted to be moved through said vessel; inserting said line and said graft in its collapsed formation into said vessel at a location distal to said damaged segment; moving said graft via said flexible line through the vessel to the area of said damaged segment; opening said graft from its collapsed formation to its expanded formation; permanently anchoring said graft to the wall of said vessel on either side of said damaged segment; and withdrawing said line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of repairing a damaged segment of a blood vessel inside the body utilizing a snythetic graft characterized by being movable through the vessel in a collapsed formation utilizing an elongated flexible line, said graft being adapted to be opened up to an expanded formation wherein said graft presents a tubular opening of approximately the same size as said vessel, said method comprising the steps of: securing said graft to an elongated flexible line adapted to be moved through said vessel; inserting said line and said graft in its collapsed formation into said vessel at a location distal to said damaged segment; moving said graft via said flexible line through the vessel to the area of said damaged segment; opening said graft from its collapsed formation to its expanded formation; permanently anchoring said graft to the wall of said vessel on either side of said damaged segment; and withdrawing said line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said anchoring step comprises providing a plurality of anchoring pins on said graft and piercing the wall of the vessel with said pins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of securing said graft to said line comprises securing the graft to a catheter.