Stent graft assembly and method

Abstract

A graft device can include a graft component and an expandable component that has a longitudinal axis and a coupling portion. The coupling portion has a surface extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis. The graft component also has a portion that is coupled to the surface of the expandable component for securing the graft component relative to the expandable component. For example, the graft component portion can be frictionally engaged between the surface and a member positioned against the expandable component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A graft device comprising:
 an expandable component comprising a longitudinal axis and a coupling portion having a surface extending radially relative to the longitudinal axis; and   a graft component having a section frictionally engaged against the surface for securing the graft component relative to the expandable component.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a member frictionally engaging the graft component against the surface such that the graft component is interposed between the surface and the member. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the expandable component comprises an opening that (i) extends radially through the expandable component and (ii) defines a volume, the opening being at least partially defined by the surface, and wherein the member is received within the volume such that the section is disposed within the volume and engaged between the surface and the member. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the member is frictionally received within the opening without piercing the graft component. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the surface extends substantially normal relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the graft component extends circumferentially around the expandable component. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the graft component comprises a tubular membrane extending over the stent. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the graft component comprises a polymeric sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the graft component comprises ePTFE. 
     
     
         10 . A stent graft comprising:
 a stent comprising a sidewall opening having a volume surrounded by an inner surface that extends radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the stent; and   a graft component having opposing portions contacted against the inner surface such that the graft component is secured relative to the stent.   
     
     
         11 . The stent graft of  claim 10 , further comprising a member received within the opening such that the graft component is disposed within the volume of the opening and engaged between the inner surface and the member. 
     
     
         12 . The stent graft of  claim 11 , wherein the member frictionally engages the graft component against the inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . The stent graft of  claim 12 , wherein the member extends radially through the opening when frictionally received within the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The stent graft of  claim 10 , wherein the inner surface extends substantially normal relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The stent graft of  claim 10 , wherein the graft component extends circumferentially around the stent. 
     
     
         16 . The stent graft of  claim 10 , wherein the graft component comprises a tubular material extending over the stent. 
     
     
         17 . The stent graft of  claim 10 , wherein the graft component comprises a polymeric sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . A method of retaining a graft component on a stent, the method comprising:
 positioning the graft component over the outer surface of the stent;   positioning a section of the graft component into an opening of the stent, the opening comprising a volume that is surrounded by an inner surface; and   contacting opposing portions of the section against the inner surface to secure the graft component relative to the stent.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the contacting comprises frictionally engaging the graft component against the inner surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising inserting a member into the opening to frictionally engage the opposing portions between the inner surface and the member.