HYBRID INTRALUMINAL DEVICE
An intraluminal device has a tubular main body and a plurality of expandable wireforms. The wireforms are grouped in a first group of one or more self expandable wireforms and a second group of one or more pressure expandable wireforms and arranged in alternating groups of wireforms comprising the first group and the second group. Also described is an intraluminal device for positioning within a branched vessel of a patient having an elongate main body and a branch portion. The branch portion is independently moveable relative to the main body.
1 . An intraluminal device comprising a tubular main body extending from a first end to a second end, said main body having a plurality of expandable wireforms; wherein the wireforms are grouped in a first group of one or more self expandable wireforms and a second group of one or more pressure expandable wireforms and wherein the main body comprises alternating groups of wireforms comprising said first group and said second group.
2 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein both the first group and the second group of wireforms each comprise a single wireform.
3 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein the first group and the second group of wireforms each comprise a plurality of wireforms.
4 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein the wireforms extend circumferentially around the tubular main body.
5 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein the wireforms are radially compressible and expandable such that the tubular main body is moveable between an insertion diameter, in which state the device may be inserted intraluminally into a vessel and a larger, expanded diameter in which state the device may be secured within the vessel.
6 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein the tubular main body comprises at least one protrusion portion having a greater diameter than the remainder of the tubular body at least when said tubular body is in an expanded state.
7 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein the pressure expandable wireforms comprise balloon expandable wireforms.
8 . The intraluminal device of claim 1 wherein said self expanding wireforms are made from a shape memory material.
9 . An intraluminal device for positioning within a branched vessel of a patient, said device comprising an elongate main body and at least one branch portion branching therefrom, wherein said branch portion of the intraluminal device is independently moveable relative to the main body.
10 . The intraluminal device of claim 9 wherein said branch portion comprises an elongate flexible member.
11 . The intraluminal device of claim 10 wherein said elongate flexible member is relatively more flexible than the main body of the device.
12 . The intraluminal device of claim 9 further comprising a steering mechanism to move said branch portion independently relative to said main body.
13 . The intraluminal device of claim 12 wherein said steering mechanism comprises a catheter having a first elongate tubular member and at least one second elongate tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal, manipulable tip, said tip being moveable in two or more planes relative to said first elongate tubular member.
14 . The intraluminal device of claim 13 wherein said first elongate tubular member is positionable within the branch portion of the intraluminal device.
15 . The intraluminal device of claim 13 wherein said catheter is pre-packaged with the intraluminal device for delivery to a target site in a vessel of a patient.
16 . The intraluminal device of claim 9 wherein the branch portion moves in multiple planes relative to the main body.
17 . The intraluminal device of claim 16 wherein said branch portion moves relative to a longitudinal axis of the main body between 10° and 170°.
18 . The intraluminal device of claim 13 wherein said manipulable tip is releasably attached one end of the second elongate tubular member.
19 . The intraluminal device of claim 18 wherein said manipulable tip is connected to the branch portion of the intraluminal device.
20 . The intraluminal device of claim 13 wherein the first and the second elongate tubular members of the catheter define an internal lumen to receive a guidewire.
21 . A steering mechanism for a branch portion of a branched intraluminal device, said steering mechanism comprising a catheter having a first elongate tubular member and at least one second elongate tubular member which extends from a proximal end to a distal, manipulable tip, said tip being moveable in two or more planes relative to said first elongate tubular member.
22 . The steering mechanism of claim 21 to steer a branch portion of an intraluminal device, the intraluminal device for positioning within a branched vessel of a patient, said device comprising an elongate main body and at least one branch portion branching therefrom, wherein said branch portion of the intraluminal device is independently moveable relative to the main body.
23 . An intraluminal assembly comprising:
an intraluminal device having an elongate main body and at least one branch portion branching therefrom;
said main body defining an internal lumen to receive a catheter, said catheter comprising a first elongate tubular member and at least one second elongate tubular member;
wherein said second elongate tubular member extends from a proximal end to a distal, manipulable tip, said manipulable tip insertable into said at least one branch portion to move said at least one branch portion relative to the main body.
24 . A method of positioning an intraluminal device within a branched vessel of a patient, the intraluminal device comprising a main body and a branch portion, the branched vessel comprising a pre-branch vessel and at least one post-branch vessel, said method including:
(i) introducing the intraluminal device in a collapsed configuration to a position within the pre-branch vessel;
(ii) causing the branch portion of the device to move independently of the main body to position said branch portion within a post branch vessel; and
(iii) causing or allowing the intraluminal device to expand such that at least a length of the branch portion is secured within the post-branch vessel.
25 . The method of claim 24 wherein the branch portion is expanded prior to expansion of the main body of the device.
26 . The method of claim 24 when used to introduce the intraluminal device into branched vessels within the body including branches of the aorta or iliac arteries within the chest, abdomen or pelvis, including branches of the aortic arch, including brachiocephalic, carotid or subclavian branches; or of the abdominal aorta including the coeliac, mesenteric, renal or iliac branches or of the iliac artery including the internal iliac branch.
27 . The method of claim 24 when used to re-line a prior-implanted failed device.