Eversible locking mechanism for modular stents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for locking self-expanding modular stent components together using an eversible extension on the male component. The male component is deployed partially within the female component, and with the eversible extension eversed over the male component.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A locking mechanism for use in a modular self-expanding stent system having a male stent component configured to be deployed partially within a lumen of a female stent component; said locking mechanism comprising an eversible stent extension extending from said male stent component and deployable within said female stent component in an eversed configuration to lock said male stent component to said female stent component.  
     
     
         2 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  further comprising a covering attached to said modular stent components to form a modular stent-graft.  
     
     
         3 . The locking mechanism of  claim 2  wherein said modular stent-graft is configured for deployment in an abdominal aorta, spanning the aortic bifurcation.  
     
     
         4 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said eversible stent extension is outwardly flared.  
     
     
         5 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1  wherein said male stent component comprises one or more braided filaments.  
     
     
         6 . The locking mechanism of  claim 5  wherein said eversible extension is formed by continued braiding of one or more of said braided filaments.  
     
     
         7 . The locking mechanism of  claim 6  wherein a covering is lashed to said male stent to form a stent-graft and said eversible extension extends beyond said covering.  
     
     
         8 . The locking mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a delivery sheath used to temporarily hold said eversible stent extension in said eversed configuration.  
     
     
         9 . A modular stent-graft system comprising: 
 a self-expanding female stent-graft component having a lumen therethrough; and    a self-expanding male stent-graft component having a proximal end positionable within said lumen of said female stent-graft component; said proximal end having an eversible stent extension positionable within said female stent-graft component in an eversed configuration to lock said male stent-graft component into said female stent-graft component.    
     
     
         10 . The modular stent-graft system of  claim 9  wherein said male stent graft component comprises a self-expanding stent with a covering lashed thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The modular stent-graft of  claim 10  wherein said self-expanding stent comprises one or more braided filaments.  
     
     
         12 . The modular stent-graft of  claim 11  wherein said eversible extension comprises a continuous braiding of at least one of said one or more braided filaments.  
     
     
         13 . The modular stent-graft system of  claim 9  wherein, prior to eversing said eversible extension, said eversible extension is flared outwardly.  
     
     
         14 . The modular stent-graft system of  claim 9  wherein said female stent-graft is a bifurcated stent-graft comprising a trunk configured for placement in an abdominal aorta, an iliac leg configured for placement in a first iliac artery, and an iliac stump shorter than said iliac leg and configured for placement in a second iliac artery and for receiving said male stent-graft.  
     
     
         15 . The modular stent-graft of  claim 9  wherein said eversible extension is integral with a braided stent; said braided stent having a covering attached thereto; said eversible extension being uncovered.  
     
     
         16 . A method for connecting male and female components of a modular stent-graft comprising the steps of: 
 endoluminally delivering a female stent-graft component into a body lumen;    providing a male stent-graft component with an eversible extension;    eversing said eversible extension over said male stent-graft component;    radially restraining said eversible extension in an eversed position;    endoluminally positioning said male stent-graft component and said eversable extension partially within said female stent-graft component; and    releasing said eversable extension to lock said male stent-graft component into said female stent-graft component.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said eversible extension is restrained by an axially movable delivery sheath.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said eversible extension is released by axially withdrawing said delivery sheath.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said eversible extension is flared outwardly such that it is eversed by introducing said male stent-graft component into a delivery sheath.