Method of 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 comprises a radially expansible support, at least two axially elongate longitudinal members, at least one of which can be fronds, extending from an end of the support, and a circumferential member connected to at least one axially elongate longitudinal member and unconnected to at least one other axially elongate longitudinal member.
1. A method of treating a bifurcation between a first body lumen and a second body lumen, comprising:
advancing a prosthesis to the bifurcation, the prosthesis comprising a radially expansible support, a transition portion having a first end coupled with the support, a circumferential member spaced axially from the radially expansible support, wherein the transition portion comprises a plurality of second ends, at least one of the second ends coupled with the circumferential member via a single filament, and one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member;
deploying the support in the first body lumen;
positioning the first end of the transition portion on a first body lumen side of an ostium opening; and
deploying the circumferential member in the second body lumen at a distance from the bifurcation, wherein the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member is positioned on a second body lumen side of the ostium opening.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member is positioned at a proximal second body lumen location.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member is positioned at a distal second body lumen location.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member is positioned at a proximal second body lumen location and at a distal second body lumen location.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein deploying the circumferential member in the second body lumen comprises engaging the circumferential member with a second body vessel wall.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising expanding the support and the transition portion.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transferring force applied to the support or the transition portion to the circumferential member via the single filament.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising deploying a second device in the second body lumen.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein deploying the second device comprises deploying the second device within the circumferential member.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising advancing the second device in the second body lumen and pushing the one or more of the second ends not coupled to the circumferential member to a distal second body lumen location.
11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising expanding the second device.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein expanding the second device comprises entrapping the circumferential member between the second device and a second body vessel wall.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein expanding the second device comprises entrapping the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member between the second device and a second body vessel wall.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the prosthesis decreases in mass over time.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the circumferential member is bioabsorbable.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the circumferential member is bioerodable.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the circumferential member is biodegradable.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein a polymer matrix on a surface of the prosthesis decreases in mass over time.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein any one or combination of the support and the transition portion decreases in mass over time.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein a proximal or distal portion of the prosthesis including the circumferential member decreases in mass over time.
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 transition portion having a first end coupled with the support, a circumferential member spaced axially from the radially expansible support, wherein the transition portion comprises a plurality of second ends, at least one of the second ends coupled with the circumferential member via a single filament, and one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member;
transluminally navigating the prosthesis to a treatment site;
deploying the support in the first body lumen;
positioning the first end of the transition portion on a first body lumen side of an ostium opening;
deploying the circumferential member in the second body lumen at a distance from the bifurcation; and
positioning the one or more of the second ends not coupled with the circumferential member on a second body lumen side of the ostium opening.