Vascular prosthesis with alternating helical sections
An implantable vascular prosthesis is provided for use in a wide range of applications wherein at least first and second helical sections having alternating directions of rotation are coupled to one another. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and permits accurate deployment in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening.
1. A vascular prosthesis for implantation in a body vessel having a vessel wall, the vascular prosthesis placeable in radially contracted and expanded states, the vascular prosthesis comprising:
an alternating helical section comprising first and second helical portions;
the first helical portion having a direction of rotation about a longitudinal axis of the prosthesis opposite to that of the second helical portion;
the first and second helical portions having adjacent ends joined directly to one another to define a first apex;
each of the first and second helical portions comprising a widened flange portion adjacent to the first apex;
the widened flange portions extending into a space between the first and second helical portions;
the widened flange portions separated from one another by a gap; and
the widened flange portions being configured to overlap a portion of the apex during at least a portion of a treatment range between the radially contracted and expanded states.
2. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the alternating helical section includes an even number of helical portions having a first direction of rotation and an even number of helical portions having a second direction of rotation, wherein the helical portions define an odd number of apices.
3. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the alternating helical section includes an even number of helical portions having a first direction of rotation and an odd number of helical portions having a second direction of rotation, wherein the helical portions define an even number of apices.
4. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the flanges have straight edges.
5. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the flanges have zig-zagged edges.
6. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein at least one helical portion is a helical mesh.
7. The vascular prosthesis of claim 6 , wherein the helical mesh defines a plurality of elongate apertures.
8. The vascular prosthesis of claim 7 , wherein a plurality of the elongate apertures extend from a first apex to a second apex.
9. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprising a therapeutic agent disposed on or in a portion of the alternating helical section.
10. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprising a polymer disposed on or in a portion of the alternating helical section.
11. The vascular prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the polymer is configured to elute a therapeutic agent.
12. The vascular prosthesis of claim 10 , wherein the polymer is disposed on the entire alternating helical section.
13. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the alternating helical section comprises a shape memory material.
14. The vascular prosthesis of claim 13 , wherein the shape memory material is a nickel titanium alloy.
15. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , further comprising a radially expanding anchor section joined to a first end of the alternating helical section.
16. The vascular prosthesis of claim 15 , further comprising a second radially expanding anchor section joined to a second end of the alternating helical section.
17. The vascular prosthesis of claim 16 , wherein the alternating helical section, the first anchor section and the second anchor section each are capable of assuming a contracted state suitable for transluminal insertion into the body vessel and a deployed state wherein the helical section, first anchor section and second anchor section are configured to engage the vessel wall.
18. The vascular prosthesis of claim 15 , wherein the alternating helical section and the anchor section are separately formed and then coupled together.
19. The vascular prosthesis of claim 15 , wherein the alternating helical section and the anchor section are integrally formed.
20. The vascular prosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first apex has first and second circumferentially separated ends, the widened flange portions located at the first end; and
the overlapped portion of the apex located at the second end.