Branched Stent Grafts And Stent Graft Delivery System And Methods

Abstract

Branched stent grafts and a stent graft delivery system for, and methods of, endovascular repair of abdominal and/or thoracic aortic aneurysms are disclosed. Embodiments of the branched stent grafts include, but are not limited to, branched aorto-uni-iliac (AUI) stent grafts, branched bifurcated stent grafts, and branched thoracic stent grafts. In some embodiments, the branched stent grafts comprise one or more retrograde internal branches. In other embodiments, the branched stent grafts comprise one or more external branches. The stent graft delivery system comprises a larger directional sheath for positioning the branched stent grafts and one or more smaller sheaths for the delivery of, for example, covered stents for the complete exclusion of juxtarenal/pararenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods of using the stent graft delivery system to deploy the branched stent grafts are provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endovascular repair device comprising:
 a stent graft comprising a main body section, said main body section having an outer wall, said outer wall having an outer wall profile, said outer wall having at least one fenestration; and   at least one branch in fixed communication with the fenestration, with said branch configured to extend a predetermined distance from the main body section, said branch having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximal end in communication with the fenestration.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the main body is substantially cylindrical and substantially hollow. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stent graft is a branched stent graft. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stent graft is a branched bifurcated stent graft. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stent graft is a covered stent graft. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the branch is substantially frustoconical in shape, with the proximal end having a proximal end opening diameter that is greater than a distal end opening diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the branch extends inward from the outer wall of the main body and into the main body for a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the branch extends outward from the outer wall of the main body and outside of the main body for a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the branch substantially conforms to the outer wall profile. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one secondary stent graft dimensioned to pass into the fenestration and into the branch that is in fixed communication with the fenestration. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device is configured to be implanted in a body as an abdominal or a thoracic stent graft. 
     
     
         12 . A kit comprising:
 a stent graft comprising a main body section, said main body section having an outer wall, said outer wall having an outer wall profile, said outer wall having at least one fenestration and at least one branch in communication with the fenestration, said branch having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximal end in communication with the fenestration;   a primary stent graft sheath configured to accommodate a primary guide wire passing through the primary stent graft sheath; and   at least one secondary stent graft sheath configured to accommodate at least one secondary guide wire passing through said secondary stent graft sheath.   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the main body is substantially cylindrical and substantially hollow. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the stent graft is a branched stent graft. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the stent graft is a branched bifurcated stent graft. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the stent graft is a covered stent graft. 
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the branch is substantially frustoconical in shape, with the proximal end having a proximal end opening diameter that is greater than a distal end opening diameter. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the branch extends inward from the outer wall of the main body and into the main body for a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the branch extends outward from the outer wall of the main body and outside of the main body for a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 12 , wherein the branch substantially conforms to the outer wall profile. 
     
     
         21 . The kit of  claim 12 , further comprising at least one secondary stent graft dimensioned to pass into the fenestration and into the branch that is in fixed communication with the fenestration. 
     
     
         22 . A method comprising:
 introducing a stent graft into a body, said stent graft comprising a main body section, said main body section having an outer wall, said outer wall having an outer wall profile, with said outer wall having at least one fenestration and at least one branch in communication with the fenestration, said branch having a proximate end and a distal end, said proximal end in communication with the fenestration.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said branch is configured to extend a predetermined distance from the main body section. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein said branch is configured to substantially conform to the outer wall profile.