Device and Method for Delivering an Endovascular Stent-Graft Having a Longitudinally Unsupported Portion

Abstract

An endoluminal prosthesis having an unsupported or flexible region and a delivery system for delivering the endoluminal prosthesis is provided. The delivery system includes a prosthesis delivery catheter with stiffening elements that provide longitudinally rigid support to a flexible or unsupported portion of an endoluminal prosthesis as the prosthesis is being deployed. A prosthesis is removably coupled to the stiffening elements. The endoluminal prosthesis can be a stent or a stent graft or graft.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An endoluminal prosthesis delivery system comprising:
 a delivery catheter comprising:   a distal portion configured to hold and deploy an endoluminal prosthesis, and to track through a body lumen, the distal portion comprising at least one stiffening element comprising a first end coupled to the distal portion and a free end extending along a length of the distal portion, wherein the at least one stiffening element is configured to be coupled to an endoluminal prosthesis and removed from the endoluminal prosthesis after the endoluminal prosthesis is deployed, further comprising;   an endoluminal prosthesis comprising:   a tubular graft member comprising an unsupported portion; and   at least one receiving element configured to receive the at least one stiffening element so as to support the unsupported portion when the prosthesis is being deployed.   
     
     
         20 . An endoluminal prosthesis delivery system comprising:
 a delivery catheter means comprising:   a distal means for holding and deploying an endoluminal prosthesis and for tracking the catheter means through a body lumen, the distal means comprising at least one stiffening means removably attachable to an endoluminal prosthesis, for stiffening an endoluminal prosthesis during deployment of the endoluminal prosthesis wherein the stiffening means is removed from the prosthesis after deployment of the prosthesis.   
     
     
         21 . The endoluminal prosthesis delivery system of  claim 20  further comprising and endoluminal prosthesis means; and
 a coupling means for removable coupling the stiffening means to the endoluminal prosthesis.   
     
     
         22 . The endoluminal prosthesis delivery system of  claim 21  wherein:
 the endoluminal prosthesis means is for providing a lumen for the flow of body fluids therethrough, the endoluminal prosthesis means comprising: a tubular graft means comprising and unsupported portion; and further comprising:   at least one coupling means for removably coupling the stiffening means and the endoluminal prosthesis means to support the unsupported portion when the prosthesis means is being deployed.   
     
     
         23 . An endoluminal prosthesis comprising a flexible portion and at least one coupling element configured to couple to at least one stiffening element of a delivery device whereby the flexible portion is supported by the stiffening element. 
     
     
         24 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 23  comprising:
 a tubular graft member, wherein the flexible portion of the endoluminal prosthesis comprises an unsupported portion of the tubular graft member.   
     
     
         25 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 24  wherein the coupling element comprises at least one receiving element configured to removably receive at least one stiffening element whereby the stiffening element supports the unsupported portion when the prosthesis is being deployed. 
     
     
         26 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 25  wherein the receiving element comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         27 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 26  wherein the prosthesis has a distal end directionally corresponding to a distal end of a delivery catheter for delivering the prosthesis, wherein the pocket has a distal end directionally corresponding to the distal end of the prosthesis, and wherein the distal end of the pocket is closed to contain a stiffening element inserted in the pocket. 
     
     
         28 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 27  wherein the pocket is located distally of the unsupported portion of the tubular graft. 
     
     
         29 . The endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 26  wherein the pocket comprises a graft material attached to the tubular graft. 
     
     
         30 . An endoluminal prosthesis comprising:
 a tubular graft means for providing a lumen for the flow of body fluids therethrough, the graft means comprising an unsupported portion; and   at least one receiving means coupled to the tubular graft means, the at least one receiving means for removably receiving a stiffening means for stiffening the graft means, whereby the stiffening means supports the unsupported portion when the prosthesis means is being deployed and whereby the stiffening means is removed from the prosthesis means after the prosthesis means is deployed.   
     
     
         31 . A method of deploying an endoluminal prosthesis comprising the steps of:
 providing and endoluminal prosthesis delivery system comprising:   a delivery catheter comprising:   a distal portion configured to hold and deploy an endoluminal prosthesis, and to track through a body lumen, the distal portion comprising at least one stiffening element comprising a first end coupled to the distal portion and a free end extending along a length of the distal portion; and   an endoluminal prosthesis having a flexible portion loaded in the catheter;   locating the distal portion of the catheter at a site for deployment of the endoluminal prosthesis;   releasing the endoluminal prosthesis from the catheter with the endoluminal prosthesis coupled to the stiffening element whereby the stiffening element supports the flexible portion as the prosthesis is being deployed; and   releasing the stiffening element from the endoluminal prosthesis after the prosthesis has been deployed.   
     
     
         32 . The method of deploying an endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 31  wherein the endoluminal prosthesis further comprises: at least one receiving element with the free end of the at least one stiffening element positioned therein; and wherein the step of releasing the endoluminal prosthesis comprises releasing the stiffening element from the receiving element. 
     
     
         33 . The method of deploying an endoluminal prosthesis of  claim 31  wherein the endoluminal prosthesis comprises a tubular graft member comprising and unsupported portion; and wherein the step of releasing the endoluminal prosthesis comprises releasing the endoluminal prosthesis from the stiffening element whereby the unsupported portion is supported.