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  Intraluminal prosthesis attachment systems and methodsUSPTO Application #: 20060069422Title: Intraluminal prosthesis attachment systems and methods Abstract: Systems and method implant prostheses in the body. The systems and methods provide permanent attachment of the prosthesis in the body. The prosthesis can comprise, e.g., an endovascular graft, which can be deployed without damaging the native blood vessel in either an arterial or a venous system. The endovascular graft can comprise, e.g., a radially expanding vascular stent and/or a stent-graft. The graft can be placed in the vasculature, e.g., to exclude or bridge an aneurysm, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysms. The graft desirably adapts to changes in aneurysm morphology and repairs the endovascular aneurysm. The fastening systems and methods can be deployed through the vasculature and manipulated from outside the body, to deliver a fastener to attach the graft to the vessel wall. (end of abstract) Agent: Ryan Kromholz & Manion, S.c. - Milwaukee, WI, US Inventors: Lee Bolduc, Alan L. Kaganov USPTO Applicaton #: 20060069422 - Class: 623001110 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Arterial Prosthesis (i.e., Blood Vessel), Stent Combined With Surgical Delivery System (e.g., Surgical Tools, Delivery Sheath, Etc.) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060069422. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/271,334, filed Oct. 15, 2002. This application also claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/333,937 filed 28 Nov. 2001. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to the attachment of a vascular prosthesis to a native vessel, and in particular, to a method and system of devices for the repair of diseased and/or damaged sections of a vessel. [0003] The weakening of a vessel wall from damage or disease can lead to vessel dilatation and the formation of an aneurysm. Left untreated, an aneurysm can grow in size and may eventually rupture. [0004] For example, aneurysms of the aorta primarily occur in abdominal region, usually in the infrarenal area between the renal arteries and the aortic bifurcation. Aneurysms can also occur in the thoracic region between the aortic arch and renal arteries. The rupture of an aortic aneurysm results in massive hemorrhaging and has a high rate of mortality. [0005] Open surgical replacement of a diseased or damaged section of vessel can eliminate the risk of vessel rupture. In this procedure, the diseased or damaged section of vessel is removed and a prosthetic graft, made either in a straight of bifurcated configuration, is installed and then permanently attached and sealed to the ends of the native vessel by suture. The prosthetic grafts for these procedures are usually unsupported woven tubes and are typically made from polyester, ePTFE or other suitable materials. The grafts are longitudinally unsupported so they can accommodate changes in the morphology of the aneurysm and native vessel. However, these procedures require a large surgical incision and have a high rate of morbidity and mortality. In addition, many patients are unsuitable for this type of major surgery due to other co-morbidities. [0006] Endovascular aneurysm repair has been introduced to overcome the problems associated with open surgical repair. The aneurysm is bridged with a vascular prosthesis, which is placed intraluminally. Typically these prosthetic grafts for aortic aneurysms are delivered collapsed on a catheter through the femoral artery. These grafts are usually designed with a fabric material attached to a metallic scaffolding (stent) structure, which expands or is expanded to contact the internal diameter of the vessel. Unlike open surgical aneurysm repair, intraluminally deployed grafts are not sutured to the native vessel, but rely on either barbs extending from the stent, which penetrate into the native vessel during deployment, or the radial expansion force of the stent itself is utilized to hold the graft in position. These graft attachment means do not provide the same level of attachment when compared to suture and can damage the native vessel upon deployment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The invention provides systems and methods for implanting prostheses in the body. The systems and methods provide permanent attachment of the prosthesis in the body. The prosthesis can comprise, e.g., an endovascular graft, which can be deployed without damaging the native blood vessel in either an arterial or a venous system. The endovascular graft can comprise, e.g., a radially expanding vascular stent and/or a stent-graft. The graft can be placed in the vasculature, e.g., to exclude or bridge an aneurysm, for example, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The graft desirably adapts to changes in aneurysm morphology and repairs the endovascular aneurysm. The fastening system and methods are deployed through the vasculature and manipulated from outside the body, to deliver a fastener to attach the graft to the vessel wall. [0008] One aspect of the invention provides a fastener applier for a prosthesis. The applier comprises a drive mechanism sized and configured to be releasably coupled to the fastener to deploy the fastener into the prosthesis. The applier also includes an actuator for the drive mechanism including a sensing mechanism that enables operation of the drive mechanism in response to at least one of (i) a force sensed at or near the fastener, and (ii) contact sensed with a surface at or near the distal end of the fastener body. [0009] Another aspect of the invention provides a fastener sized and configured for deployment in tissue. The fastener includes a fastener body having a distal end for penetrating tissue in response to a force. The fastener body also has a proximal end for releasably coupling the fastener body to a force applier. The fastener includes a stop structure associated with the proximal end to prevent over-penetration of the fastener body into tissue. In one embodiment, the stop structure couples the fastener body to the force applier, e.g., by a magnetic or mechanical coupling. On one embodiment, the fastener body can comprise, e.g., a helical coil. [0010] Another aspect of the invention provides a fastener sized and configured for deployment in tissue. The fastener comprises a fastener body having a distal end for penetrating tissue in response to a force. The fastener body also has a proximal end for releasably coupling the fastener body to a force applier. A tracking wire is coupled to the proximal end to guide the force applier into operative contact with the fastener. [0011] Another aspect of the invention provides a prosthesis comprising a prosthesis body and a fastener assembly integrally carried by the prosthesis body. The fastener assembly includes at least one fastener deployable into tissue in response to force applied by a force applier. A tracking wire is coupled to the fastener to guide the force applier into operative contact with the fastener. [0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a prosthesis comprising a prosthesis body and a fastener assembly integrally carried by the prosthesis body. The assembly includes at least one fastener deployable into tissue in response to non-rotational force applied by a force applier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an endovascular graft delivery device shown positioned within an abdominal aortic aneurysm; [0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment the deployment of an endovascular graft within the aneurysm of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fully deployed straight endovascular graft of FIG. 2; [0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fully deployed bifurcated endovascular graft broken away to show an anchoring scaffold at one end; [0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5 showing an alternative scaffold structure; [0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a device for directing the fastener applier; [0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the device of FIG. 6 upon insertion within the deployed endovascular graft of FIG. 3 with both the graft and scaffolding broken away; Continue reading... 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