Removable medical device implantable in blood vessels, particularly in the thoracic aorta with aneurysm

Abstract

A removable implantable medical device for the endovascular treatment of aneurysm, particularly of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, comprising a supporting structure tubular in shape and covered externally by a covering. The supporting structure and the covering define a duct for blood circulation. The device is provided with extraction elements for extracting the duct from the body of the subject in whom it is inserted. The extraction means are associated with the duct and communicate with the outside of the body.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A removable implantable medical device for the endovascular treatment of aneurysm, particularly of aneurysm of the thoracic aorta, comprising a supporting structure which has a substantially tubular shape and is covered externally by a covering, to define a duct for blood circulation, comprising extraction means for extracting said duct from the body of the subject in whom it is inserted, said extraction means being associated with said duct and communicating with the outside of said body. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said extraction means comprise a cable made of biocompatible material, with one end attached to said duct and the other end protruding from said body. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said duct is inserted in a portion of blood vessel that is deformed by an aneurysm in order to define the passage lumen for blood flow, the length of said duct being greater than the length of said portion of blood vessel that is deformed by the aneurysm in order to avoid the inflow of blood into the pockets defined between the deformed walls of said portion and the outer surface of said duct. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said supporting structure is a meshed fabric made of biocompatible metallic material. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 15 , wherein said biocompatible metallic material is an alloy of nickel and titanium. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said covering is made of biocompatible polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said covering is sewn onto said supporting structure. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein it assumes an active configuration, defined by a first radial dimension of said duct and adapted to define said passage lumen for blood flow, and a compressed configuration, defined by a second radial dimension of said duct and adapted to move said duct inside a catheter for insertion, said second radial dimension being smaller than said first radial dimension. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said extraction means activate an extraction configuration, which is defined by a third radial dimension of said duct and is adapted to avoid damage to the intima of the blood vessels passed through during extraction, said third radial dimension of said duct being smaller than said first radial dimension. 
     
     
         21 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 20 , wherein said third radial dimension of said extraction configuration is substantially equal to said second radial dimension of said compressed configuration, for the reinsertion of said duct into said catheter. 
     
     
         22 . The implantable medical device according to  claim 12 , wherein said extraction means can be activated after recording with electrodes for detecting the evoked potentials generated in response to a stimulation applied with stimulation electrodes.