Stent graft with external scaffolding and method

Abstract

A scaffolded stent-graft includes a graft material comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen within the graft material. The scaffolded stent-graft further includes a scaffold comprising a mesh coupled to the graft material at the outer surface. The scaffold is configured to promote tissue ingrowth therein. In this manner, the scaffold enhances tissue integration into the scaffolded stent-graft. The tissue integration enhances biological fixation of the scaffolded stent-graft in vessels minimizing the possibility of endoleaks and migration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A scaffolded stent-graft comprising:
 a graft material comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a lumen within the graft material; and   a scaffold comprising a mesh coupled to the graft material at the outer surface, the scaffold configured to promote tissue ingrowth therein, wherein the mesh is cylindrical.   
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 deploying a scaffolded stent-graft into a vessel to exclude an aneurysm comprising:
 engaging a scaffold of the scaffolded stent-graft with a wall of the vessel, the scaffold comprising a mesh promoting tissue ingrowth from the wall into the scaffold; and 
 extending a graft material of the scaffolded stent-graft across the aneurysm. 
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 filling the aneurysm with the scaffold. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the scaffold is configured to occlude a branch vessel extending to the aneurysm.