Introducer for a side branch device

Abstract

An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated or branched stent graft intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending from it. The introducer has a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end with a nose cone dilator and an arrangement to retain the branched stent graft distally of the nose cone dilator. A sheath on the introducer extends over the branched stent graft to the nose cone dilator. An indwelling catheter extends from the distal end of the introducer and enters the fenestration or side arm and through to the nose cone dilator, the indwelling catheter has a guide wire extending through it. The guide wire can be extended beyond the nose cone dilator in use before the sheath is withdrawn from the branched stent graft so that it can be snared from the contra-lateral artery.

1 . An introduction arrangement for a branched stent graft intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending therefrom; the branched stent graft having a main tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end with a main lumen therethrough, a side arm extending from the main body and having a side arm lumen therethrough and in fluid communication with the main lumen, the introduction arrangement including an introducer, the introducer having a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end, the proximal end having a nose cone dilator and an arrangement to retain the branched stent graft thereon distally of the nose cone dilator, the branched stent graft being retained on the introducer and a sheath on the introducer extending over the branched stent graft to the nose cone dilator, an indwelling catheter extending from the distal end of the introducer through an introducer lumen in the introducer to the branched stent graft, exiting from the introducer lumen at a distal end of the branched stent graft and entering the distal end of the side arm through the side arm lumen to the main lumen and extending to the proximal end of the branched stent graft, the indwelling catheter having a guide wire extending therethrough, whereby the indwelling catheter and guide wire can be extended beyond the proximal end of the branched stent graft in use after the sheath has been at least partially withdrawn from the branched stent graft. 
     
     
         2 . An introduction arrangement for a branched stent graft as in  claim 1  wherein the branched stent graft comprises a plurality of side arms and a plurality of indwelling catheters, each side arm having a side arm lumen, each respective indwelling catheter extending from the distal end of the introducer through the introducer lumen in the introducer to the branched stent graft, exiting from the introducer lumen at a distal end of the branched stent graft and entering the respective distal end of the side arm through the respective side arm lumen to the main lumen and extending to the proximal end of the branched stent graft. 
     
     
         3 . An introduction arrangement for a branched stent graft as in  claim 1  wherein the means to retain the branched stent graft on the introducer includes trigger wires extending to the distal end of the introducer and release arrangements for separate release of the proximal and distal ends of the stent graft from the introducer. 
     
     
         4 . An introducer device and a stent graft retained thereon, the stent graft comprising a tubular body and at least one fenestration in the tubular body, an indwelling catheter having a guide wire extending therethrough and associated with the introducer device, the indwelling catheter extending through the fenestration and the stent graft and to the proximal end of the stent graft whereby the guide wire can be advanced beyond the proximal end of the stent graft and introducer device so that it can be snared and a deployment device for a side arm can be deployed over the guide wire, once snared, to enter the fenestration. 
     
     
         5 . An introducer device and a stent graft as in  claim 4  wherein the stent graft has a proximal end and a distal end and the indwelling catheter extends outside of the stent graft distally of the fenestration and through the fenestration into the stent graft and towards the proximal end. 
     
     
         6 . An introducer device and a stent graft as in  claim 4  wherein the fenestration includes a side arm extending therefrom. 
     
     
         7 . An introducer device and a stent graft as in  claim 6  wherein the side arm extending from the fenestration extends inside the stent graft towards either the proximal or distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         8 . An introducer device and a stent graft as in  claim 6  wherein the side arm extending from the fenestration extends outside the stent graft towards either the proximal or distal ends thereof. 
     
     
         9 . An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated graft intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending therefrom; the fenestrated stent graft having a main tubular body having a distal end and a proximal end with a main lumen therethrough, a fenestration in the main body, the introduction arrangement including an introducer, the introducer having a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end, the proximal end having a nose cone dilator and an arrangement to retain the fenestrated stent graft distally of the nose cone dilator, the fenestrated stent graft being retained on the introducer and a sheath on the introducer extending over the fenestrated stent graft to the nose cone dilator, an indwelling catheter extending from the distal end of the introducer through an introducer lumen in the introducer to the fenestrated stent graft, exiting from the introducer lumen at a distal end of the fenestrated stent graft and entering the fenestration to the main lumen and extending to the proximal end of the fenestrated stent graft, the indwelling catheter having a guide wire extending therethrough, whereby the guide wire can be extended beyond the nose cone dilator in use after the sheath is withdrawn from the fenestrated stent graft. 
     
     
         10 . An introduction arrangement for a branched stent graft as in claim wherein the means to retain the fenestrated stent graft on the introducer includes trigger wires extending to the distal end of the introducer and release arrangements for separate release of the proximal and distal ends of the stent graft from the introducer.