Eversible branch stent-graft and deployment method
A method of deploying an eversible branch stent-graft includes deploying the eversible branch stent-graft into a main vessel such that a collateral opening in a main stent-graft of the eversible branch stent-graft is aligned with an ostium of a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. A branch stent ring suture threaded though outer exposed crowns of an outer stent ring of the branch stent-graft is grasped and pulled through the collateral opening to evert the branch stent-graft into the branch vessel as a branch anchor suture is removed to release a protruding end of a branch stent-graft from a proximal end of the main stent-graft.
1. An eversible branch stent-graft comprising:
a main stent-graft defining a main lumen, wherein said main lumen comprises a first opening at a proximal end and a second opening at a distal end with said main lumen extending from said first opening to said second opening; and
an everted branch stent-graft inside of said main lumen, said everted branch stent-graft comprising:
a graft end attached to graft material of said main stent-graft around a collateral opening in said main stent-graft;
a protruding end;
a tubular graft member located between said graft end and said protruding end; and
an outer stent ring attached to said tubular graft member, said outer stent ring comprising:
inner attached crowns attached to said tubular graft member; and
outer exposed crowns;
a branch anchor suture releasably attaching said protruding end of said everted branch stent-graft to said proximal end of said main stent-graft, wherein said branch anchor suture is a single continuous suture comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end and said second end extend out of said second opening at said distal end of said main stent-graft, and further wherein pulling said first end causes said branch anchor suture to release said protruding end of said everted branch stent-graft from said main stent-graft; and
a branch stent ring suture threaded through said outer exposed crowns, said branch anchor suture and said branch stent ring suture being separate sutures.
2. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said eversible branch stent-graft is in a delivery configuration.
3. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said branch anchor suture extends through said graft material of said main stent-graft and through said tubular graft member of said everted branch stent-graft.
4. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said graft material of said main stent-graft is stitched to said tubular graft member of said everted branch stent-graft by said branch anchor suture.
5. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular graft member comprises:
a graft material braid; and
several strands of wire incorporated into said graft material braid.
6. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said branch stent ring suture is a closed loop of suture.
7. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said branch stent ring suture comprises a grasping end loop, said branch stent ring suture extending from said outer stent ring, through said branch stent-graft such that said grasping end loop is accessible through said collateral opening.
8. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular graft member is folded over at said protruding end of said branch stent-graft.
9. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 8 wherein a first portion of said tubular graft member extends back inside of a second portion of said tubular graft member.
10. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 9 wherein said first portion is attached to said outer stent ring.
11. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 1 wherein said collateral opening is ellipsoidal.
12. The eversible branch stent-graft of claim 11 wherein said collateral opening has a first width parallel to a longitudinal axis of said main stent-graft and a second width perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, said first width being greater than said second width.
13. An eversible branch stent-graft comprising:
a main stent-graft defining a main lumen, wherein said main lumen comprises a first opening at a proximal end and a second opening at a distal end with said main lumen extending from said first opening to said second opening;
an everted branch stent-graft comprising:
a graft end attached to a graft material of said main stent-graft around an ellipsoidal collateral opening in said main stent-graft;
a protruding end;
a tubular graft member located between said graft end and said protruding end, said tubular graft member comprising:
a graft material braid; and
several strands of wire incorporated into said graft material braid; and
an outer stent ring attached to said tubular graft member at said protruding end, said outer stent ring comprising:
inner attached crowns attached to said tubular graft member; and
outer exposed crowns;
a branch anchor suture releasably attaching said protruding end of said everted branch stent-graft to said main stent-graft, wherein said branch anchor suture is a single continuous suture comprising a first end and a second end, wherein said first end and said second end extend out of said second opening at said distal end of said main stent-graft, and further wherein pulling said first end causes said branch anchor suture to release said protruding end of said everted branch stent-graft from said said main stent-graft; and
a branch stent ring suture threaded through said outer exposed crowns, said branch anchor suture and said branch stent ring suture being separate sutures.