Helical High Fatigue Stent-Graft

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis, including a generally tubular substrate and a continuous shape memory member disposed over the outer surface of the substrate. The shape memory member may include a series of zig-zag struts alternating between a first strut with a first length and a second strut with a second length different from the first length. A graft member may be positioned over the substrate and shape memory member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An implantable prosthesis, comprising:
 a generally tubular substrate having inner and outer surfaces; and   a continuous shape memory member disposed over the outer surface of the substrate along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end so that the member is exposed to ambient environment, the shape memory member including a series of zig-zag struts alternating between a first strut with a first length and a second strut with a second length different from the first length, adjacent first and second struts connected at one end thereof to form a first angle there between, bisection of the angle by a line parallel to the longitudinal axis forming a second angle between the line and the first strut and a third angle substantially equivalent to the second angle between the line and the second strut.   
     
     
         2 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a graft member attached to at least one of the substrate and continuous member, the graft member including polymer fibers woven or knitted into a generally tubular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer fibers comprise a fiber that is any one or any combination of polyester, polyurethanes, fluoropolymers, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polyamide, and aramid fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 3 , wherein the substrate comprises ePTFE. 
     
     
         5 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a graft member disposed over a surface of the shape memory member, wherein at least a portion of the graft member is connected to the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 5 , further comprising an adhesive disposed between the shape memory member and the graft member. 
     
     
         7 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein the graft member is an elongate strip of material arranged helically over a surface of the shape memory member. 
     
     
         8 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the elongate strip of material completely covers the shape memory member from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         9 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein the graft member includes a plurality of circumferentially arranged sets of openings, adjacent sets spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the graft member, the disposing including arranging the graft member such that a surface of the shape memory member is substantially covered by material of the graft member. 
     
     
         10 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 9 , wherein the openings comprise a plurality of sets of circumferentially arranged openings, each set of circumferentially arranged openings being spaced apart from an adjacent set of openings along the longitudinal axis between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         11 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein the graft member is generally tubular and includes a plurality of slits. 
     
     
         12 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the slits are arranged generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 12 , wherein adjacent slits along the longitudinal axis are circumferentially offset. 
     
     
         14 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 11 , wherein the slits are arranged generally parallel to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 14 , wherein each slit is positioned at a different circumferential location and extends a majority of the longitudinal distance between the first and second end. 
     
     
         16 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory member comprises a material that is any one or any combination of stainless steel, shape memory metals, shape memory alloys, super elastic shape memory metal alloys, metal alloys, linear elastic shape memory alloy, shape memory polymers, polymers, and bioresorbable materials. 
     
     
         17 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 16 , wherein the shape memory member comprises Nitinol. 
     
     
         18 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 17 , wherein an adhesive is disposed between the substrate and the shape memory member. 
     
     
         19 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 18 , wherein the substrate is sutured to the shape memory member. 
     
     
         20 . The implantable prosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein an adhesive is disposed between the shape memory member and the graft member.