Aortic graft assembly

Abstract

An aortic graft assembly includes a tubular component that defines a wall aperture having a proximal end that extends perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component, and a tunnel graft connected to the wall of the tubular aortic component and extending from the wall aperture toward a proximal end of the tubular aortic component. The aortic graft assembly is delivered to a patient through the wall aperture and into interfering relation with the tunnel graft to treat aortic aneurysms.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An aortic graft assembly, comprising:
 a) a tubular aortic component that includes a proximal end and a distal end connected by a wall of the tubular aortic component, the wall defining a wall aperture that is between the proximal and distal ends, the wall aperture having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wall aperture extending perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component when viewed orthogonally to the major longitudinal axis;   b) a tunnel graft connected to the wall of the tubular aortic component and extending from the wall aperture toward the proximal end of the tubular aortic component, the tunnel graft having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being at the wall aperture of the tubular aortic component, and wherein the tunnel graft includes an open portion at the wall aperture, the open portion defining a proximal end, and a tubular portion extending proximally from the open portion of the tunnel graft, the tubular portion defining a proximal end, and a distal end at the proximal end of the open portion;   c) a proximal stent that supports the proximal end of the tubular aortic component; and   d) a distal stent that supports the distal end of the tubular aortic component.   
     
     
         2 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular portion is secured to the tubular aortic component. 
     
     
         3 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular portion further includes a stent at each of the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular portion 
     
     
         4 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the stents at the proximal and distal ends of the tubular portion include proximal and distal apices connected by struts 
     
     
         5 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the stent includes at least one barb. 
     
     
         6 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the tubular portion further includes at least one stent between the stent at the proximal and distal ends of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         7 . The aortic assembly of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the stents between the stents at the proximal and distal ends of the tubular portion includes at least one barb. 
     
     
         8 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the stents of the tubular portion include nitinol. 
     
     
         9 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the distal end of the tubular portion has a diameter greater than that of the proximal end of the tubular portion. 
     
     
         10 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the tubular portion is generally conical. 
     
     
         11 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular portion has a major longitudinal axis that is parallel to the major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component. 
     
     
         12 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal end of the tubular portion is distal to the proximal end of the tubular aortic component. 
     
     
         13 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the proximal end of the tubular portion is coterminous with the proximal end of the tubular aortic component. 
     
     
         14 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the tubular portion has a geometric center that is distinct from a geometric center of the tubular aortic component, wherein a line defined by the geometric centers of the proximal end of the tubular portion and the tubular aortic component in a plane of the proximal end of the tubular portion is at a positive angle from a line defined by the geometric center of the tubular aortic component and a point along a centerline bisecting the wall aperture and parallel to the major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component, the point being in the same plane as the geometric centers of the proximal end of the tubular portion and the tubular aortic component. 
     
     
         15 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the angle is selected from the group consisting of ±10°, ±20°, ±30°, ±45°, ±90°, ±120°, ±135°, ±160°, ±170° and 180°. 
     
     
         16 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 1 , further including at least one radiopaque marker at least one of the proximal end of the tunnel graft and the distal end of the tubular portion of the tunnel graft. 
     
     
         17 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular portion is a first tubular portion, and further including a second tubular portion of the tunnel graft extending proximally from the open portion of the tunnel graft, wherein the second tubular portion defines a proximal end, and a distal end at the proximal end of the open portion. 
     
     
         18 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the second tubular portion is of about equal length to the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         19 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the second tubular portion is parallel to the first tubular portion. 
     
     
         20 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first and second tubular portions are each distinct and integrally complete tubular portions. 
     
     
         21 . The aortic graft assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the tubular portions share a common wall of a first graft material that partition a conduit of a second graft material, the first and second graft materials defining, at least in part, the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion.