Endovascular aneurysm repair systems and methods
Systems and methods introduce a tissue fastener applier to apply tissue-piercing fasteners to a prosthesis sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the prosthesis.
1. A method comprising
providing a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners,
providing a tissue fastener applier,
providing a directing device, and
introducing the tissue fastener applier into a blood vessel lumen to apply single tissue-piercing fasteners to a prosthesis within the blood vessel lumen sequentially along a path established by the directing device that, between fastener applications, is manipulated into orientation with different desired fastening sites, until a plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are placed, one-at-a-time, in the prosthesis.
2. A method according to claim 1
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a helical tissue-piercing fastener.
3. A method according to claim 1
wherein at least one of the tissue-piercing fasteners comprises a fastener that pierces tissue in response to rotation, and
wherein the tissue fastener applier includes a rotary driver.
4. A method according to claim 1
wherein the plurality of tissue-piercing fasteners are introduced in a circumferentially spaced-apart pattern at the different desired fastening sites in the prosthesis.
5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the directing device includes a deflectable distal region.
6. A method according to claim 1
wherein the directing device includes a passage accommodating the fastener applier.
7. A method according to claim 6
wherein the passage comprises an interior lumen.
8. A method according to claim 1
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier.
9. A method according to claim 1
further including, between fastener applications, reloading a single tissue-piercing fastener in the tissue fastener applier at a remote access location.