Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end toward said proximal end; and attachment means positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body and having pores on the surface thereof sufficient for promoting ingrowth of tissue into said attachment means, said attachment means being structured to alternately assume said first reduced circumference and said second expanded circumference in tandem with said flexible tubular body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end toward said proximal end; and attachment means positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body and having pores on the surface thereof sufficient for promoting ingrowth of tissue into said attachment means, said attachment means being structured to alternately assume said first reduced circumference and said second expanded circumference in tandem with said flexible tubular body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 1 wherein said compressible frame comprises circumferential support structures oriented about at least a portion of said circumference of said flexible tubular body and longitudinal support structures oriented parallel to said longitudinal axis, said circumferential support structures being radially expandable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 2 wherein said attachment means is further treated with a substance which enhances ingrowth of tissue into said pores of said attachment means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 3 wherein said attachment means includes a first collar of material positioned about the circumference of said flexible tubular body at said open proximal end, said collar being porous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 4 wherein said attachment means further includes a second collar of material positioned about the circumference of said flexible tubular body at said open distal end, said collar being porous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 3 wherein said attachment means is made of porous and textured polyurethane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 2 wherein said longitudinal support structures extend beyond said open proximal end of said flexible tubular body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 7 wherein said attachment means are positioned proximate said circumferential support structures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 8 wherein said attachment means are treated with a substance selected to enhance the ingrowth of tissue into said pores.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 9 wherein said flexible tubular body is treated with a substance selected to promote an inflammatory response in surrounding tissue to promote incorporation of said flexible tubular body into a surrounding vessel environment.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 3 wherein said compressible frame is treated with a radio-opaque substance to facilitate determination of placement of said intraluminal vascular graft within a vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 11 wherein said attachment means is treated with a radio-opaque substance selected to facilitate determination of placement of said intraluminal vascular graft within said vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 1 wherein said flexible tubular body further includes at least one tubular leg portion extending from said open distal end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 13 wherein said at least one leg portion includes a compressible frame structure to support said at least one tubular leg portion with a vessel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 14 wherein said at least one tubular leg portion further includes attachment means positioned about the circumference of said at least one tubular leg portion, said attachment means having pores for promoting ingrowth of tissue into said attachment means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
149 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material and sized for intraluminal positioning, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end upwardly toward said proximal end; and attachment collars positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body in proximity to said distal end and said proximal end for facilitating ingrowth of cellular matter into said attachment collars to promote incorporation into a vessel wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
149 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material and sized for intraluminal positioning, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end upwardly toward said proximal end; and attachment collars positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body in proximity to said distal end and said proximal end for facilitating ingrowth of cellular matter into said attachment collars to promote incorporation into a vessel wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 16 wherein said attachment collars are formed of a material having porosity sufficient to promote ingrowth of cellular matter thereinto to facilitate incorporation of said attachment means into said vessel wall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 16 wherein said attachment collars are treated with material which renders the surface of said attachment collars sufficiently porous to promote ingrowth of cellular matter thereinto to facilitate incorporation of said attachment collars into said vessel wall.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end upwardly toward said proximal end; and at least one toroidally-shaped attachment means positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body and having pores on the surface thereof sufficient for promoting ingrowth of tissue into said attachment means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
138 words
An intraluminal vascular graft structure comprising: a flexible tubular body formed from a biocompatible material, said tubular body having an open proximal end, an open distal end and a longitudinal axis oriented between said open ends, said tubular body being compressible transverse said longitudinal axis for providing a first reduced circumference thereabout relative to a second expanded circumference; a compressible frame positioned against said flexible tubular body and oriented both along said longitudinal axis and around said circumference of said flexible tubular body, said frame being structured to support said flexible tubular body at said distal end and from said distal end upwardly toward said proximal end; and at least one toroidally-shaped attachment means positioned circumferentially about said flexible tubular body and having pores on the surface thereof sufficient for promoting ingrowth of tissue into said attachment means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 19 wherein said at least one toroidal attachment means includes a first collar having an internal, inflatable space formed therein, said first collar being positioned about the circumference of said flexible tubular body at said open proximal end, said first collar being at least partially porous.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 19 wherein said toroidal attachment means further includes a second collar having an internal, inflatable space formed therein, said second collar being positioned about the circumference of said flexible tubular body at said open distal end, said second collar being at least partially porous.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The intraluminal vascular graft structure of claim 19 wherein said toroidal attachment means comprises a toroidal encasement member having an internal, inflatable space formed therein, said toroidal encasement member extending from said open proximal end to said open distal end and being at least partially porous.