SUPPORT FOR TREATING VASCULAR BIFURCATIONS
A prosthesis is disclosed for placement across an ostium opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis has a radially expansible support and a bifurcation traversing portion. The radially expansible support is configured to be deployed in at least a portion of the branch body lumen. The bifurcation traversing portion has a biostable portion having a first end and a second end. The first end is located adjacent to the radially expansible support. The bifurcation traversing portion also has a biodegradable portion having a first end coupled with the second end of the biostable portion. The biodegradable portion has a second end disposed at an end of the prosthesis opposite the radially expansible support. When deployed, the bifurcation traversing portion extends from the radially expansible support across a bifurcation and into a main body lumen such that the carina is supported thereby.
1 .- 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of treating a bifurcation between a first body lumen and a second body lumen, comprising:
providing a prosthesis comprising a radially expansible support, a plurality of longitudinal members extending from an end of the support, a coupler configured to connect a first segment of the prosthesis to a second segment of the prosthesis, and a circumferential member spaced apart from the support and connected to the plurality of longitudinal members, wherein the first segment comprises the support and a distal length of the longitudinal members, wherein the second segment comprises a proximal length of the longitudinal members and the circumferential member, and wherein the second segment has a higher degradation rate in situ than the first segment;
transluminally navigating the prosthesis to a treatment site;
deploying the support in the first body lumen; and
deploying the circumferential member in the second body lumen at a distance from the bifurcation so that the coupler is located in the second body lumen between the bifurcation and the circumferential member.
22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein deploying the circumferential member in the second body lumen comprises engaging the circumferential member with a second body vessel wall.
23 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising expanding the support.
24 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising deploying a second device in the second body lumen.
25 . The method of claim 24 , wherein deploying the second device comprises deploying the second device within the circumferential member.
26 . The method of claim 21 , further comprising expanding the second device.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein expanding the second device comprises entrapping the circumferential member between the second device and a second body vessel wall.
28 . The method of claim 26 , wherein expanding the second device comprises entrapping the plurality of longitudinal members between the second device and a second body vessel wall.
29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the first segment is biostable and the second segment is biodegradable.
30 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the coupler comprises a jaw member and a protrusion.
31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the jaw member is disposed on the first segment and the protrusion is disposed on the second segment.