Lattice

Abstract

The invention relates to medical devices and methods of using them. The devices are prostheses which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The prostheses are configured to have a lattice resistant to dilation and creep, which is defined by a plurality of openings. The prosthesis may also optionally have a stent disposed proximal to the lattice. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite materials exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. In at least one embodiment, the lattice is made of a composite material that includes a least one fluoropolymer membrane including serpentine fibrils and an elastomer. A lattice including a generally tubular member formed of a composite material including a least one fluoropolymer membrane containing serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is also provided.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An endoprosthesis comprising:
 a first stent;   a second stent;   a lattice interposed between the first stent and the second stent and including segments of varying lengths, the lattice being configured to expand to a first diameter to deploy within a vessel and expand in a sloped or stepped manner to a second diameter to accept and constrain a primary prosthesis within the lattice.   
     
     
         22 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice includes an open structure configured to illicit a host biological response and interaction with an abluminal surface of the primary prosthesis. 
     
     
         23 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 22 , wherein the abluminal surface of the primary prosthesis is coated with a drug or has an engineered microstructure to accelerate cellular ingrowth. 
     
     
         24 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice is configured to allow further expansion beyond the second diameter after the primary prosthesis is deployed within the lattice. 
     
     
         25 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice is configured to maintain the second diameter in the absence of an expansion force. 
     
     
         26 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice is resistant to dilation and creep. 
     
     
         27 . The endovascular prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice is configured to radially and longitudinally expand. 
     
     
         28 . The endovascular prosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the segments in the lattice plastically deform at a prescribed pressure. 
     
     
         29 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 21 , wherein the lattice includes a generally tubular form including at least one segment with an excess length and at least one segment being resistant to further expansion in the first configuration. 
     
     
         30 . An endoprosthesis comprising:
 a lattice having a proximal end and a distal end configured to expand to a first diameter to deploy within a vessel and expand in a sloped or stepped manner to a second diameter to accept and constrain another prosthesis within the lattice; and   a first stent arranged at and coupled to the proximal end of the lattice and a second stent arranged at and coupled to the distal end of the lattice, the first stent and the second stent being configured to engage the vessel when the lattice is at the first diameter and the second diameter.   
     
     
         31 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the lattice includes an open structure configured to illicit a host biological response and interaction with an abluminal surface of the primary prosthesis. 
     
     
         32 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 31 , wherein the abluminal surface of the primary prosthesis is coated with a drug or has an engineered microstructure to accelerate cellular ingrowth. 
     
     
         33 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 32 , wherein the lattice is configured to allow further expansion beyond the second diameter after the primary prosthesis is deployed within the lattice. 
     
     
         34 . The endovascular prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the lattice is configured to radially and longitudinally expand. 
     
     
         35 . The endovascular prosthesis of  claim 30 , wherein the segments in the lattice plastically deform at a prescribed pressure. 
     
     
         36 . A method of deploying an endovascular prosthesis and a primary endoprosthesis, the method comprising:
 arranging the endovascular prosthesis within a vessel, the endovascular prosthesis including a lattice having a proximal end and a distal end, a first stent arranged at and coupled to the proximal end of the lattice, and a second stent arranged at and coupled to the distal end of the lattice;   expanding the lattice in a sloped or stepped manner from a first deployed diameter to a second deployed diameter to accept and constrain the primary prosthesis within the lattice; and   arranging the primary prosthesis within the lattice.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the endovascular prosthesis is deployed in a prescribed lumen prior to the deployment of the primary prosthesis. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the arranging the endovascular prosthesis and arranging the primary prosthesis uses the a common catheter to deploy the endovascular prosthesis and the primary prosthesis. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the lattice includes an open structure configured to illicit a host biological response and interaction with an abluminal surface of the primary prosthesis. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the lattice is configured to allow further expansion beyond the second diameter after the primary prosthesis is deployed within the lattice.