Intraluminal grafting system

Abstract

An intraluminal grafting system having a delivery catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a capsule mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member and including a graft disposed within the capsule. The graft is comprised of a tubular body configured to be secured to a blood vessel by a self expanding attachment system. The attachment system comprises a generally sinusoidal wire frame having apices which extend longitudinally outward from the end of the tubular body apices which are secured within the tubular body. Both the protruding apices and the base apices are formed with helices which bias the attachment system radially outward. The attachment system further includes a plurality of lumen piercing members that are oriented in a responsive relationship to the radially outward bias of the attachment system. Furthermore, the graft may be configured with a plurality of synthetic fiber tufts secured to the outer surface of the tubular body to facilitate sealing the graft within the vessel. The graft may also include a plurality of crimps formed in the tubular body of the graft.

1 - 4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . A system for repairing vasculature, comprising: 
 a catheter assembly;    a graft assembly including a graft body and a plurality of generally sinusoidal wire frames attached to the graft body, at least one wire frame including a plurality of lumen piercing members associated therewith, the plurality of lumen piercing members being staggered longitudinally with respect to the wire frame.    
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the catheter assembly is sized and shaped to receive the graft assembly.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the catheter assembly includes a balloon catheter.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wire frames are self-expanding.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lumen piercing members have a length sufficient to pierce but not puncture through a wall of a vessel.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the wire frames include helical coils forming apices.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the lumen piercing members include hook-like elements.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the hook-like elements are in the form of a barb.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the hook-like elements are in the form of spine-like ribbon.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein at least one frame assembly includes staggered apices.