Stent or graft support structure for treating bifurcated vessels having different diameter portions and methods of use and implantation

[0002] This application is a divisional application of Application Ser. No. 09/078,340, filed on May 13, 1998 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,203.

[0003] The present invention relates generally to minimally invasive techniques for treating occlusive vascular disease, for example, in the carotid, renal, femoral and cerebral arteries, and for repairing aneurysms occurring in bifurcated organs or vessels, such as the abdominal aorta.

[0004] In recent years a number of minimally invasive techniques have been developed to treat occlusive vascular disease, and to repair aneurysms occurring in organs and vessels.

[0005] In occlusive vascular disease, such as arteriosclerosis, plaque accumulates within a vessel and gradually narrows the vessel to the degree that the vessel can no longer supply an adequate flow of blood. A number of vascular prostheses have been developed to re-expand and retain the patency of such afflicted vessels, for example, after atherectomy or angioplasty. U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,665 to Palmaz describes one type of balloon-expandable stent structure to treat occlusive disease.

[0006] It is often desirable to support a tortuous vessel, or one having a diameter that changes along the length of the vessel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,955 to Lau et al. describes a stent comprising a series of linked sinusoidal rings. That patent describes that the individual sinusoidal elements may be differentially expanded to accommodate diameter changes in the vessel.

[0007] A drawback of the foregoing previously known devices, however, is that such devices are not readily deployable in bifurcated vessels, so that one portion of the stent may be deployed in a trunk vessel having a large diameter, and a second portion of the stent may be deployed in a branch vessel having a much smaller diameter. Moreover, because branch vessels often form an angle with trunk vessels, previously known devices cannot be readily employed in such environments.

[0008] With respect to treatment of aneurysms, previously known minimally techniques generally seek to “re-line” a flow path through the organ, for example, by fixing a graft across the weakened tissue of the aneurysm. The graft is then held in place with one or more stents, which may be implanted, for example, using a balloon catheter. Such arrangements are described, for example, in Parodi U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,355, European Application No. 0 461 791, and Clouse U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,658.

[0009] A number of techniques also have been developed for deploying graft systems in bifurcated anatomy, such as the aorto-iliac bifurcation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,596 to Kornberg describes a graft comprising a main portion having first and second legs extending therefrom. The main portion is deployed in the aorta, while the first and second legs are deployed in the iliac arteries. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,443 to Barone et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,295 to Piplani et al. describe similar devices.

[0010] Other bifurcated graft systems, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,817 to Martin and U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,627 to Goicoechea et al., so called “asymmetric grafts,” comprise a main portion having a long first leg, and a much shorter second leg. The grafts are deployed so that the long leg is disposed in the iliac artery used to gain access to the aorta, and so that the short leg does not extend into the contralateral iliac artery. In a separate step, an extension portion is then attached to the short leg, thus extending the second leg into the contralateral artery.

[0011] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a stent having first and second portions that may be deployed to different expanded diameters.

[0012] It would further be desirable to provide a stent capable of being deployed in a bifurcated vessel that enables a first portion of the stent to be deployed in a trunk vessel having a first longitudinal axis, and a second portion of the stent to be deployed in a branch vessel having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis forming an angle with the first longitudinal axis.

[0013] It would be still further desirable to provide a stent structure suitable for use as a support element of a bifurcated graft system.

[0014] It would be yet further desirable to provide methods of constructing and deploying a stent-graft system that overcome drawbacks of previously known stent and stent-graft systems.

[0015] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a stent having first and second portions that deploy to different expanded diameters.

[0016] It is another object of this invention to provide a stent capable of being deployed in a bifurcated vessel, wherein a first portion of the stent is deployed in a trunk vessel having a first longitudinal axis, and a second portion of the stent is deployed in a branch vessel having a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis forming an angle with the first longitudinal axis.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a stent structure suitable for use as a support element of a bifurcated graft system.

[0018] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide methods of constructing and deploying a stent-graft system that overcome drawbacks of previously known stent and stent-graft systems.

[0019] These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a self-expanding stent structure comprising a first portion having a first expanded diameter and a second portion having a second expanded diameter. The self-expanding stent structure comprises a main portion configured to be disposed in a trunk vessel having a first diameter and a branch portion configured to be disposed in a branch vessel having a second diameter different than the first diameter. A continuous flexible link extends from the main portion and forms part of the second portion. The self-expanding structure may be compressed to, and constrained at, a reduced diameter for delivery, and resumes an expanded shape during deployment.

[0020] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the stent structure also may be used to support a graft to treat aneurysms occurring in bifurcated organs or vessels, such as the abdominal aorta. Methods of deploying a stent and stent-graft system constructed in accordance with the present invention are also provided.

[0021] Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, wherein:

[0022] FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, perspective front and side views of a self-expanding stent constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in the deployed state;

[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B are, respectively, enlarged partial views, within view area 2 of FIG. 1A, of the self-expanding stent structure of FIGS. 1A and 1B in the deployed and delivery states;

[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B are, respectively, end views of the self-expanding stent structure of FIGS. 1A and 1B in the deployed and delivery states;

[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are views depicting deployment of stents constructed in accordance with the present invention at the junctions of the carotid artery and aorta and subclavian artery and aorta;

[0026] FIG. 5 is a view depicting deployment of stents constructed in accordance with the present invention at the junction of the carotid and cerebral artery and within the cerebral artery;

[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an asymmetric stent-graft system incorporating the stent structure of FIG. 1; and

[0028] FIGS. 7A-7C are views depicting deployment of the stent-graft system of FIG. 6 in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, stent 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is described. Stent 10 comprises self-expanding structure having main portion 20 coupled to branch portion 22 via flexible link 24. Each of main portion 20 and branch portion 22 are formed from a plurality of longitudinal wire segments 26 welded together at points of contact 28. Wire segments 26 preferably comprise a resilient material, such as a nickel-titanium alloy or stainless steel, and permit self-expanding structure 10 to be compressed to a reduced diameter, as described hereinafter.

[0030] Flexible link 24 preferably comprises an extension of wire segments 26aand 26b,and forms a part of main portion 20 and branch portion 22. Flexible link 24 permits branch portion 22 to bend out of alignment with longitudinal axis L of main portion 20, so that branch portion 22 is capable of bending to accommodate an angle at which a branch vessel connects to a trunk vessel.

[0031] With respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each wire segment 26 comprises spaced-apart longitudinal segments 30 and 32 interconnected by connecting elements 34. As shown in FIG. 2A, connecting elements 34 are non-orthogonal to longitudinal segments 30 and 32 when self-expanding stent structure 10 assumes its fully expanded, deployed state (as in FIGS. 1A and 1B). When a radially compressive load is applied to self-expanding structure 10, however, the angle α formed between the connecting elements 34 and longitudinal segments 30 and 32 becomes more acute, thus reducing the circumferential distance between longitudinal segments 30 and 32, as depicted in FIG. 2B. Contraction of self-expanding stent structure 10 also causes apices 36 formed by the wire segments to move towards one another and foreshortens the length of stent 10.

[0032] In accordance with the principles of the present invention, stent 10 may be compressed to reduced delivery diameter D_c, depicted in FIG. 3B, wherein the diameters of main portion 20 and branch portion 22 are approximately equal. Stent 10 is then constrained at that reduced diameter for transluminal delivery using a delivery sheath. Once the stent is disposed at a desired position in a vessel, the delivery sheath is retracted, releasing the constraint.

[0033] Upon release of the constraint imposed by the delivery sheath, the main and branch portions of self-expanding stent 10 resume expanded, deployed diameters D_E1and D_E2, as depicted in FIG. 3A. Alternatively, the self-expanding stent structure may comprise a martensitic nickel-titanium alloy that expands to its deployed state by transitioning to the austenite phase upon being exposed to body temperature, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,503,569 to Dotter.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a method of using stent 10 to treat stenosis S in a patient's internal carotid artery ICA is described. In FIG. 4A, stent 10 is shown disposed within delivery sheath 40 at its reduced delivery diameter D_C. Stent 10 is loaded in delivery sheath 40 so that branch portion 22 is located nearer to distal end 42 of the delivery sheath.

[0035] Delivery sheath 40 has distal end 42 positioned within internal carotid artery ICA so that branch portion 22 is aligned with stenosis S. This may be accomplished, for example, by passing delivery sheath 40 in a retrograde fashion through a femoral artery, descending aorta A, and into common carotid artery CCA in aorta arch AA under fluoroscopic guidance. Push tube 44 is disposed within delivery sheath 40 so that its distal end abuts against the proximal end of stent 10.

[0036] Once sheath 40 is positioned as shown in FIG. 4A, push tube 44 is held stationary while delivery sheath 40 is retracted in the proximal direction. As delivery sheath 40 is retracted proximally, first branch portion 22 expands to its expanded diameter D_E1, and then main portion 20 expands to its expanded diameter D_E2. As shown in FIG. 4B, flexible link 24 permits the main portion to be deployed in the common carotid artery CCA, which has a longitudinal axis disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the internal carotid artery ICA. FIG. 4B also depicts second stent 15, constructed in accordance with the present invention, deployed with branch portion 15adisposed in subclavian artery SCA and main portion 15banchored in the descending aorta A.

[0037] As will be apparent from FIGS. 4A and 4B, a stent constructed in accordance with the present invention, such as stents 10 and 15, enable a first portion of the stent to be deployed in a trunk vessel at a first expanded diameter, and a second portion of the stent to be disposed in a branch vessel at a second expanded diameter, and wherein the axes of the first and second portions are not collinear. Consequently, the stent of the present invention may be employed in situations where only a short length of healthy tissue in the branch vessel is available, by using the main portion, deployed in a trunk vessel, to anchor the branch portion in place. The stent of the present invention therefore may be advantageously employed to treat occlusive disease in a number of other branched vessels, such as the femoral arteries and renal arteries.

[0038] With respect to FIG. 5, use of stents 16 and 17 of the present invention in the carotid and cerebral arteries is described. Stents 16 and 17 are miniature versions of the stent of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In FIG. 5, stent 16 is disposed with branch portion 16adisposed in middle cerebral artery MCA just distal of the left anterior cerebral artery ACA, while main portion 16bis disposed in left internal carotid artery LICA. Stent 17 is shown disposed with branch portion 17adisposed in a first branch of the middle cerebral artery B₁just distal of bifurcation of the middle cerebral artery BMCA, while main portion 17bis disposed in trunk of the middle cerebral artery MCA.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 6, stent-graft system 50 constructed in accordance with the present invention is described. Biocompatible graft material 52 is affixed to, and supported by, self-expanding stent structure 10 of FIGS. 1A and 1B (the details of structure 10 are omitted from FIG. 6 for clarity). Graft material 52 may be affixed to either the interior or exterior of structure 10, using, for example, biocompatible sutures. Stent-graft system 50 includes main portion 54 covering main portion 20, branch portion 56 covering branch portion 22, and cuff 58 for accepting covered stent 60.

[0040] Covered stent 60 may be constructed, for example, as described in allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/820,213 to Khosravi et al., which is incorporated herein by reference, and may comprise a coiled sheet stent, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,500 to Sigwart, having graft material affixed to its outer surface.

[0041] Graft material 52 preferably is a polyester fabric, such as DACRON®, a registered trademark of the E.I. duPont de Nemours Company, Wilmington, or other biocompatible material, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). One familiar with the art of graft technology will recognize that other suitable materials also may be used for graft 14.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 7A to 7C, deployment of graft 50 in abdominal aorta A to reline aorto-iliac bifurcation AIB having aneurysm AN in accordance with the methods of the present invention is described. In FIG. 7A, graft 50 is shown constrained to its reduced delivery diameter D_cand contained within delivery sheath 65. Delivery sheath 65 is inserted along pre-placed guide wire 70 via a surgical cut-down in a femoral artery. Delivery sheath 65 is then advanced through iliac artery I₁and into abdominal aorta A, so that graft 50 is disposed with main portion 54 in the aorta and branch portion 56 in iliac artery I₁. Proper orientation of graft 50 within aorta A may be determined, for example, using radio-opaque bands disposed on the graft or delivery sheath that are visible under a fluoroscope.

[0043] Push tube 66 is held stationary and abuts against a proximal end of graft 50 while delivery sheath 65 is withdrawn proximally. As delivery sheath 65 is withdrawn, main portion 20 of self-expanding structure 10 expands to its deployed diameter D_E1into contact with the walls of aorta A, so that cuff 58 is aligned with iliac artery I₂. As the delivery sheath is further withdrawn, branch portion 22 expands branch portion 56 of graft 50 into contact with iliac artery I₁. Delivery sheath 65 is then removed, leaving graft 50 in the state shown in FIG. 7B. Guide wire 75 is then inserted via the contralateral femoral artery, and advanced through iliac artery I₂so that the tip of guide wire 75 passes upward through cuff 58.

[0044] A previously known delivery system containing a covered stent, such as described in allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/820,213 is then advanced along guide wire 75, and covered stent 60 is deployed with one end in cuff 58 and the other end extending into iliac artery I₂, completing assembly of the stent graft system. Guide wire 75 is then retracted from the patient.

[0045] The foregoing description of the present invention describes treating occlusive disease in the carotid, renal, femoral and cerebral arteries, and for excluding aneurysms occurring in the abdominal aorta. It should be understood, however, the methods and apparatus of the present invention are equally applicable elsewhere in the human body where it is desired to repair a birfucated vessel or organ, or “reline” a hollow-body organ or vessel.

[0046] While preferred illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described above, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.