Medical device amenable to fenestration

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a device that permits a permanent aperture to be formed in a wall, or other partition, of an implantable medical device. The present invention maintains the continuity and fluid-retaining properties of the implantable medical device by providing a breachable barrier material fully covering an opening delimited by a deformable framework. The invention is accessed with conventional interventional surgical instruments that disrupt and displace the barrier material. Following disruption of the barrier material, the opening is enlarged with surgical instruments to form a permanent framed aperture in the wall of the implantable medical device. The permanent framed aperture provides fluid communication across the wall of the implantable medical device.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An implantable medical device comprising a framework delimiting an opening having a first area and a breachable barrier material fully covering said opening, wherein a permanent aperture having a second area is formed following breach of said breachable material and said framework is adaptable to be altered in shape.  
     
     
         2 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said framework is incorporated into a medical device.  
     
     
         3 . The implantable medical device of  claim 2  wherein said medical device is a vascular prosthesis.  
     
     
         4 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a vascular graft.  
     
     
         5 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a stent-graft.  
     
     
         6 . The implantable medical device of  claim 5  wherein said device is distinct from support elements of said stent-graft.  
     
     
         7 . The implantable medical device of  claim 4  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a surgical patch.  
     
     
         8 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         9 . The implantable medical device of  claim 8  wherein said fluoropolymer is a polytetrafluoroethylene material.  
     
     
         10 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises a bio-degradable material.  
     
     
         11 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said breachable barrier material includes a filler material.  
     
     
         12 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises an elastomer.  
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said framework is made of an implantable metal.  
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device of  claim 1  wherein said framework is made of an implantable polymer.  
     
     
         15 . An implantable medical device comprising a continuous wall, at least one framework in said wall delimiting an opening having a first area, a breachable barrier material fully covering said opening, wherein a permanent aperture having a second area is formed following breach of said breachable material and said framework is adaptable to be altered in shape and have a reinforced peripheral region in said continuous wall.  
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said continuous wall has a planar geometry.  
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said continuous wall has a tubular geometry.  
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said continuous wall is a vascular prosthesis.  
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device of  claim 18  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a vascular graft.  
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device of  claim 18  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a surgical patch.  
     
     
         21 . The implantable medical device of  claim 18  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a stent-graft.  
     
     
         22 . The implantable medical device of  claim 21  wherein said device is distinct from support elements of said stent-graft.  
     
     
         23 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said device is a component of a vascular prosthesis.  
     
     
         24 . The implantable medical device of  claim 23  wherein said vascular prosthesis is a stent-graft.  
     
     
         25 . The implantable medical device of  claim 24  wherein said device is distinct from support elements of said stent-graft.  
     
     
         26 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said continuous wall comprises a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         27 . The implantable medical device of  claim 26  wherein said fluoropolymer is a polytetrafluoroethylene material.  
     
     
         28 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said framework is made of an implantable metal.  
     
     
         29 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises a fluoropolymer.  
     
     
         30 . The implantable medical device of  claim 29  wherein said fluoropolymer is a polytetrafluoroethylene material.  
     
     
         31 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises a biodegradable material.  
     
     
         32 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said breachable barrier material includes a filler material.  
     
     
         33 . The implantable medical device of  claim 15  wherein said breachable barrier material comprises an elastomer.