SEALING MECHANISM FOR EXPANDABLE VASCULAR DEVICE
A stent-graft device for repairing aneurysms and or providing a fluid conduit in the body is disclosed. In particular the stent-graft device has primary and secondary sealing mechanisms that provide flow diversion at the sealing neck of an aneurysm repair device.
1 . A stent graft device for providing flow diversion through a body lumen, the body lumen having a luminal wall defining a luminal interior, the stent graft comprising:
a substantially tubular stent structure;
a substantially tubular, porous mesh structure coaxially disposed over and affixed to at least a portion of the stent structure; and
substantially tubular graft material disposed over and affixed to at least a portion of the stent structure and a portion of the mesh structure, the graft material and the mesh structure being oriented such that an end portion of the mesh structure extends past an end portion of the adjacent graft material, the stent structure and the graft material being configured to create a first seal between the stent graft device and the luminal wall of the body lumen, the substantially tubular stent structure and the mesh structure being configured to create a second seal between the stent graft device and the luminal wall.
2 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is a wire mesh.
3 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is a machined sheet.
4 . The stent graft of claim 3 wherein the machined sheet is perforated.
5 . The stent graft of claim 2 or 3 wherein the porosity of the mesh structure is sufficiently closed to divert fluid from the first seal and relieve pressure from the first seal, while being sufficiently open to act as a scaffold for tissue growth.
6 . The stent graft of claim 2 or 3 wherein the mesh structure is made from Nitinol.
7 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is affixed to the stent structure by laser welding.
8 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is affixed to the stent structure by stitching.
9 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is affixed to the stent structure by adhesives.
10 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the mesh structure is affixed to the stent structure by the chronic outward pressure exerted by the stent against the mesh structure and luminal wall.
11 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the end portion of the stent structure extends past the end portion of the mesh structure.
12 . The stent graft of claim 1 further comprising growth factors added to the mesh structure.
13 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the stent structure is made from Nitinol.
14 . The stent graft of claim 1 wherein the graft material is made from a PET-type polymer.