Apparatus for relining a blood vessel

Abstract

An apparatus for relining a blood vessel, including a tubular liner of biocompatible material and an anchoring device connected to a distal end thereof. The proximal end of the tubular liner is configured for attachment to a blood vessel following delivery of the apparatus to the blood vessel. The apparatus can include a delivery system, preferably having a removable hub that is initially attached to the tubular liner and a hollow tip that is positioned over the anchoring device.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for relining a blood vessel, comprising a tubular liner of biocompatible material having a proximal end and a distal end, and an anchoring device connected to said distal end of said tubular liner, wherein said proximal end of said tubular liner extends beyond said anchoring device and is configured for attachment to said blood vessel following delivery thereto.  
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery system, comprising a removable hub attached to said proximal end of said tubular liner and a hollow tip positioned over said distal end of said tubular liner, said tip being connected to a proximal end of said delivery system, wherein at least a portion of said anchoring device is positioned within said tip.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a stopper connected to said shaft at said proximal end of said delivery system, said stopper having a diameter that is greater than a diameter of said liner.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a balloon and a balloon hub, wherein said balloon hub is positioned at a proximal end of said delivery system and is connected to said shaft, wherein said balloon is positioned around said shaft and in fluid communication therewith, said shaft comprising a passageway connecting said balloon to said balloon hub.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a location marker.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said location marker is positioned on said anchoring device.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said location marker is positioned on said liner.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said location marker comprises a radiopaque material.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said balloon further comprises a location marker.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said location marker comprises radiopaque material on a proximal and distal end of said balloon.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said biocompatible material is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchoring device is a self-expanding stent.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said liner further comprises a luminal layer and an abluminal layer, and wherein said anchoring device is encapsulated therebetween.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of anchoring devices positioned along the length of said liner.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of balloon-expandable stents positioned along the length of said liner.