ALIGNMENT STENT APPARATUS AND METHOD
The invention provides a stent-graft system comprising a graft member and a stent having a connection end interconnected with the graft member and a free end opposed thereto. A belt retaining structure is provided at the stent free end. A belt is releasably retained in the belt retaining structure and is configured to constrain the stent free end independent of the stent connection end. A method of securing at least one end of a stent-graft within a vessel is also provided.
1 . A stent-graft system comprising:
a graft member;
a single segment stent having a connection end interconnected with the graft member and a free end opposed thereto;
a belt retaining structure provided at the stent free end; and
a belt releasably engaging the belt retaining structure and configured to constrain the stent free end substantially independent of the stent connection end.
2 . The stent-graft system according to claim 1 wherein the stent comprises a plurality of struts extending between the connection end and the free end.
3 . The stent-graft system according to claim 2 wherein crowns adjoin respective adjacent struts at the free end of the stent.
4 . The stent-graft system according to claim 3 wherein the belt retaining structure includes a plurality of through holes extending through the crowns.
5 . The stent-graft system according to claim 4 wherein the belt is threaded through a plurality of the through holes.
6 . The stent-graft system according to claim 3 wherein the belt retaining structure includes at least two mushroom shaped connectors extending from respective crowns.
7 . The stent-graft system according to claim 2 wherein one or more barbs extend from the stent struts.
8 . The stent-graft system according to claim 7 wherein the barbs are positioned closer to the stent free end than the stent connection end.
9 . The stent-graft system according to claim 1 wherein the belt is releasably secured by a release wire.
10 . The stent-graft system according to claim 1 wherein at least one additional belt is releasably secured about the stent between the connection end and the free end and is releasable independent from the belt.
11 . The stent-graft system according to claim 1 wherein the stent connection end includes a plurality of connection elements configured for attachment to corresponding connection members on the tubular graft.
12 . A method of securing at least one end of a stent-graft within a vessel, comprising:
positioning within the vessel a stent-graft comprising a single segment stent and a graft with a connection end of the stent connected to an end of the graft, 5 the stent having a free end opposite the connection end, the stent free end including a belt retaining structure with a belt releasably retained thereabout;
deploying the stent connection end within the vessel;
repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel, if needed; and
releasing the belt to deploy the free end of the stent.
13 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the vessel is a thoracic aorta.
14 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the vessel is an abdominal aorta.
15 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel includes moving the stent, the graft or a combination of the stent and the graft.
16 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel includes allowing a fluid flow through the vessel to enter within the graft to self-align the stent and graft.
17 . The method according to claim 12 wherein the step of deploying the stent connection end within the vessel includes releasing an additional belt constraining the stent connection end.