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US5078726A
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Graft stent and method of repairing blood vessels
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-04-09
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Granted: 1992-01-07
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Expires: 2010-04-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for repairing a weakened section of a vessel. A pair of expandable stents are placed at either end inside a prosthetic graft of a length sufficient to span the weakened section. The graft and stents are inserted into the vessel. The stents are positioned on either side of the weakened section and expanded to a stable, increased diameter for securing by friction the graft in situ inside the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffry W. Kreamer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/92; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/07; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for repairing a weakened section of a vessel, comprising: (a) a tubular graft for lining the interior of the unresected vessel and of a length sufficient to span the weakened section of the vessel; (b) a pair of generally cylindrical stents expandable from a relaxed, smaller diameter condition to an enlarged, larger diameter condition; (c) wherein said stents are positioned inside end portions of said graft and separated by a distance greater than the length of the weakened section; and (d) wherein said stents are expanded from said smaller diameter condition to said larger diameter condition for securing said graft inside the vessel and spanning the weakened section thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
An apparatus for repairing a weakened section of a vessel, comprising: (a) a tubular graft for lining the interior of the unresected vessel and of a length sufficient to span the weakened section of the vessel; (b) a pair of generally cylindrical stents expandable from a relaxed, smaller diameter condition to an enlarged, larger diameter condition; (c) wherein said stents are positioned inside end portions of said graft and separated by a distance greater than the length of the weakened section; and (d) wherein said stents are expanded from said smaller diameter condition to said larger diameter condition for securing said graft inside the vessel and spanning the weakened section thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising: (a) means applied outside the vessel at the locations of said expanded stents for further securing said stents and graft in position inside the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus in claim 2, wherein: (a) said securing means is a length of suture tied about the vessel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said stents are substantially impenetrable by bodily tissues.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said stents are unfenestrated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said stents when in said enlarged, larger diameter have a substantially equal diameter over the length thereof.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for repairing a weakened section of a vessel, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a graft inside the vessel that is of a length to span the weakened section thereof; (b) inserting an expandable stent wholly inside said graft on either side of the weakened section; (c) expanding said stents to a stable, expanded condition for securing said graft to the vessel on either side of the weakened section.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for repairing a weakened section of a vessel, comprising the steps of: (a) inserting a graft inside the vessel that is of a length to span the weakened section thereof; (b) inserting an expandable stent wholly inside said graft on either side of the weakened section; (c) expanding said stents to a stable, expanded condition for securing said graft to the vessel on either side of the weakened section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method defined in claim 7, wherein (a) said graft and inserted stents are received about a double balloon catheter whereby each of said stents is located at a balloon of the catheter; (b) making an incision in the vessel at a site remote from and communicating with the weakened section; (c) feeding into the vessel said balloon catheter; and (d) enlarging said balloon catheter to expand each of said stents to a stable, expanded condition for securing said graft to the vessel on either side of the weakened section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as defined in claim 7, further comprising the step of: (a) applying to the outside of the vessel at the locations of said expanded stents means for further securing said stents and graft in position inside the vessel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the vessel lining grows only over a free end portion of said stents.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein the vessel remains open to the circulation of blood during repair of the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 7, wherein said graft resides partially within the weakened section.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-06 | 1995-07-08 | 1996-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-06 | 1999-07-08 | 2000-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-06 | 2003-07-08 | 2004-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |