Compliant blood vessel graft
Inventors
Zilla, Peter P. • Rafiee, Nasser • Bezuidenhout, Deon • Franz, Thomas • Yeoman, Mark • Bowles, Hellmut • Douk, Nareak • Wolf, Michael F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9517121-B2
Publication Date
2016-12-13
Expiration Date
Abstract
A graft includes a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a blood vessel segment, carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a graft for replacement of a section of an artery, where the graft includes a flexible, resilient, knit wire mesh configured as a generally tubular external support. A replacement blood vessel segment is carried within the tubular support and has an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support.
The tubular support has resilient radial expansion and contraction characteristics, so that the graft provides compliance properties mimicking those of an artery. The disclosed concept uses the elastic or mechanical behavior of the external support to achieve arterial-like compliance rather than non-compliant behavior.
The disclosure addresses problems associated with prior grafts in arterial positions, including thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia, as well as compliance mismatch issues from dilation or strain mismatch and endothelial disruption. By using the resilient tubular support to mimic arterial compliance, the graft is positioned to address such adverse biological responses.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim with three core structural and functional features: a flexible, resilient, knit wire mesh tubular external support, a replacement blood vessel segment supported within the support, and resilient radial expansion and contraction compliance mimicking an artery.
Knit wire mesh tubular external support for arterial replacement graft
A graft for replacement of a section of an artery comprising a flexible, resilient, knit wire mesh configured as a generally tubular external support, with a replacement blood vessel segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support.
Resilient radial expansion and contraction compliance mimicking an artery
The flexible, resilient knit wire mesh tubular external support having resilient radial expansion and contraction characteristics that provide the graft with compliance properties mimicking those of an artery.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on an arterial replacement graft where a knit wire mesh tubular external support carries a replacement blood vessel segment and, via resilient radial expansion and contraction, provides arterial-compliant behavior by mimicking arterial compliance.
Stated Advantages
Provides compliance properties mimicking those of an artery.
Addresses adverse arterial-position outcomes associated with compliance mismatch, including thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia from dilation or strain mismatch and endothelial disruption.
Documented Applications
Externally accessible bioprosthetic access shunts, including self-sealing puncture wounds by hypodermic needle puncture openings.
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