Method of implanting a sleeve in a lumen

Abstract

A prosthesis for use in preventing restenosis after angioplasty is formed of plastic or sheet metal. It is expandable and contractable for placement. The prosthesis can be inserted while in a collapsed position, then expanded and locked in the larger diameter. Spring force can be provided by the material itself or metal springs can be imbedded within the walls of the prosthesis. Preferably, the walls have holes therethrough to promote tissue growth; and, in one embodiment the holes are in the form of slots so that the prosthesis is segmented and can bend longitudinally.

1 . A method of maintaining a minimum opening in a lumen of an animal or human body comprising: 
 providing a sleeve that is biased toward a radially collapsed position,    providing a catheter,    mounting the sleeve in its radially collapsed position on the catheter,    inserting the catheter with the collapsed sleeve mounted thereon into a lumen of an animal body,    carrying the sleeve in its collapsed position with the catheter along the length of the lumen to a position in the lumen where the minimum opening in the lumen is to be established,    radially expanding the catheter inside the sleeve,    radially expanding the sleeve in response to the radial expansion of the catheter in the position of the lumen where the minimum opening in the lumen is to be established,    radially expanding the lumen in response to the radial expansion of the sleeve,    maintaining the sleeve in its radially expanded position,    collapsing the catheter inside the sleeve, and    withdrawing the catheter from the sleeve and from the lumen.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a catheter comprises providing a catheter with a balloon at its distal end, and the step of radially expanding the catheter comprises inflating the balloon.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve when in its collapsed position defines a longitudinal gap and the sleeve is in the form of a coil, and wherein the step of radially expanding the sleeve comprises transforming the sleeve from its coiled position into a cylindrical position.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the step of radially expanding the sleeve comprises expanding then sleeve to a predetermined circumference.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the sleeve has ends adjacent its gap, and the step of maintaining the sleeve in its radially expanded position comprises locking the ends of the sleeve together.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the step of locking the ends of the sleeve together comprises placing the ends of the sleeve in overlying relationship, and locking the ends of the sleeve together in overlying relationship.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve has connectors on at least one of its ends, and wherein the step of locking the ends of the sleeve together comprises locking the connectors to the ends to establish the sleeve in a position of a predetermined circumference.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve with a network of openings formed therein, and further including the step of covering the openings with epithelial tissue from the lumen.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve having a network, and a covering applied to the network, with the network and covering defining a plurality of openings, and further including the step of forming epithelial tissue about the openings.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , and further including the step of preventing re-stenosis in the lumen about the sleeve.  
     
     
         11 . A method of maintaining a minimum opening in a lumen of an animal or human body, comprising: 
 providing a sleeve having a network defining openings, a network, and a coating applied to the network, with said sleeve biased toward a radially collapsed position,    carrying the sleeve in its collapsed position along the length of a lumen to a position in the lumen where the minimum opening in the lumen is to be established,    radially expanding the sleeve,    radially expanding the lumen in response to the expansion of the sleeve,    locking the sleeve in its radially expanded position, and    covering the openings with epithelial tissue.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of locking the sleeve in its radially expanded position comprises locking the sleeve to itself in response to radially expanding the sleeve.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve having a network defining openings in the sleeve includes providing a covering applied to the network, with the network and covering defining a plurality of openings, and further including the step of forming epithelial tissue about the openings.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve that defines a longitudinal gap with said sleeve formed in a coil and with first and second ends adjacent the gap, and a hook means on the first end facing the second end, and first and second hook means on the second end facing the first end, and wherein the step of locking the sleeve comprises engaging the hook means of said first end with the first hook means of the second end to expand the sleeve to a first diameter, and engaging the hook means of the first end with the second hook means of the second end to expand the sleeve top a second diameter.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , and further including the step of opening the sleeve by expanding the sleeve so that its ends move beyond each other and collapsing the sleeve with the hook means of each sleeve end facing away from the opposite sleeve end.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , and further including the step of retarding movement of the sleeve along the length of the lumen in response to expanding the sleeve.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve comprises providing a sleeve having circumferential ribs, and the step of expanding the sleeve comprises expanding the circumferential ribs into contact with the lumen, and retarding movement of the sleeve along the length of the lumen with engagement of the ribs with the lumen.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve with a network comprises providing a sleeve with a woven network with intersections connected together.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a sleeve with a network comprises providing a sleeve with a woven network of steel, and a covering formed about the steel, and the step of radially expanding the sleeve comprises engaging the lumen with the covering.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the covering defines openings therein, and promoting epithelialization of the lumen about the sleeve, and promoting incorporation of the sleeve into the lumen.  
     
     
         21 . A method of prevention of re-stenosis, comprising: 
 providing a sleeve formed in by a network of material and a coating applied to the network, leaving openings throughout the sleeve,    inserting a sleeve in a lumen in an area where the prevention of re-stenosis is desired,    expanding the sleeve in the lumen and expanding the lumen in response to the expansion of the sleeve,    as the sleeve expands contacting the lumen with the coating,    promoting epithelialization of the lumen about the coating.