System and method for endoluminal grafting of bifurcated and branched vessels
View Patent ↗A system and method for endoluminal grafting of a main anatomic conduit in its diseased state in which it dilates to pose a life threatening condition and its various conduits that emanate from the main anatomic conduit. The grafting system comprises an endoaortic graft having at least one opening therein and at least one branch graft that is passable through the opening of the endoaortic graft into the branch anatomic conduit(s) such that the junction between the branch graft and the endoaortic graft is substantially fluid tight. A system and method for delivery of the endoaortic graft and also a system and method for efficient alignment and deployment of the branch (e.g., side branch) graft such that the coupling of the branch graft with the endoaortic graft is efficient and exact and fluid-tight; and a system and method for coupling the branch to the endoaortic graft via a coupling mechanism employing a memory metal alloy; a system and method for the proper and exact alignment of the endoaortic graft and the branch using magnetic force of a suitable nature, and which does not use the magnetic force as the coupling mechanism.
1. A system for endoluminal grafting of a native, main anatomic conduit, in a region where at least one branch anatomic conduit extends from the main anatomic conduit, comprising:
an endoaortic graft including a first pliable tube having a lumen extending longitudinally therefrom, at least one branch opening formed in the first pliable tube, a flexible magnetic ring positioned around the at least one branch opening of the first pliable tube, and endoaortic graft anchoring means for holding the first pliable tube in substantially fixed place within the main anatomic conduit with the branch opening is in alignment with the branch anatomic conduit, the first pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material; and
a branch graft including a second pliable tube having a proximal end, a mid-portion, a distal end, a lumen extending therethrough, connector means for connecting the proximal end with the branch opening of the first pliable tube to allow the fluid that flows through the lumen of the endoaortic graft to pass through the branch opening into the lumen of the branch graft, and branch graft anchoring means at the distal end for holding at least the distal end of the branch graft in contact with the surrounding wall of the branch anatomic conduit, the second pliable tube being made of a biocompatible material, wherein the connector means comprises a hollow elastic toroid filled with a ferro-fluid having sufficient magnetic properties to be attracted to the flexible magnetic ring yet still be easily movable relative thereto.