Tubular prosthesis for external agent delivery

Abstract

A tubular prosthesis, which may be an endovascular prothesis, is provided which includes a tubular member (stent or stent/graft combination) and an outer covering having portions sealed to the tubular member. The tubular member is impervious to a pre-determined fluid, particularly an occluding fluid, while the outer cover is pervious to the pre-determined fluid. In one aspect of the present invention, the implantation of the prosthesis allows for occluding fluid to weep from the prosthesis and into a sac of an aneurysm to cause occlusion thereof without introducing the occluding fluid into the blood stream. In this manner, a Type II failure of the prosthesis may be avoided. In other aspects of the invention, therapeutic agents may be delivered and/or a seal may be formed about the prosthesis to prevent a Type I failure.

1 . A method of occluding a sac of an aneurysm, the method comprising the steps of: 
 implanting endovascularly an endovascular prosthesis which by-passes the aneurysm, said endovascular prosthesis including a tubular member having a wall, said wall being impervious to transmission therethrough of an occluding fluid, and an outer covering having portions sealed to said tubular member, said outer covering being pervious to transmission therethrough of said occluding fluid; and    conveying a dose of occluding fluid into a pocket at least partially defined between said tubular member and said outer covering, said dose being an effective amount to at least partially occlude the sac of the aneurysm, whereby said occluding fluid transmits through said outer covering to at least partially occlude the sac of the aneurysm.    
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1  further comprising the step of placing a fluid conduit into fluid communication with said pocket.  
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the step of conveying a dose of occluding fluid includes conveying said occluding fluid via said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein the step of placing a fluid conduit is performed before the step of implanting endovascularly.  
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 4 , further comprising the step of detaching said fluid conduit from said endovascular prosthesis after the step of conveying a dose of occluding fluid.  
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said occluding fluid is an embolic liquid selected from the group consisting of alginates, hyaluronic acid, cyanoacrylates, and admixtures thereof.  
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said occluding fluid is selected from the group consisting of sclerosing agents, polyurethanes, silicones, and admixtures thereof.  
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said occluding fluid includes thrombin.  
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said occluding fluid includes an autologous clot.  
   
   
       10 . A method of forming an endovascular prosthesis, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a tubular member which includes a wall, said wall being impervious to transmission therethrough of a pre-determined fluid; and    sealing portions of an outer covering to said tubular member, said outer covering being pervious to transmission therethrough of said pre-determined fluid.    
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of placing a fluid conduit in direct fluid communication with a pocket at least partially defined between said tubular member and said outer covering.  
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of placing a fluid conduit in indirect fluid communication with a pocket at least partially defined between said tubular member and said outer covering.  
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 12 , wherein the step of placing a fluid conduit includes mounting a valve in fluid communication with said pocket, and connecting said fluid conduit to said valve.  
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 10 , further comprising the step of making said outer covering be pervious to transmission therethrough of said pre-determined fluid.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the step of making includes cutting apertures in said outer covering.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the step of making includes forming said outer covering with porosity.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the step of sealing includes fusing portions of said outer covering to said tubular member.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 10 , wherein the step of sealing includes bonding portions of said outer covering to said tubular member.  
   
   
       19 . A method of administering a therapeutic agent, the method comprising the steps of: 
 implanting a tubular prosthesis, said prosthesis including a tubular member having a wall, said wall being impervious to transmission therethrough of a pre-determined therapeutic agent, and an outer covering having portions sealed to said tubular member, said outer covering being pervious to transmission therethrough of said pre-determined therapeutic agent; and    conveying a dose of said pre-determined therapeutic agent into a pocket at least partially defined between said tubular member and said outer covering.    
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of placing a fluid conduit into fluid communication with said pocket.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the step of conveying a dose of pre-determined therapeutic agent includes conveying said pre-determined therapeutic agent via said fluid conduit.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the step of placing a fluid conduit is performed before the step of implanting endovascularly.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of detaching said fluid conduit from said prosthesis after the step of conveying a dose of pre-determined therapeutic agent.  
   
   
       24 . A method of at least partially forming a seal between a tubular prosthesis and a bodily passageway, the method comprising the steps of: 
 implanting a tubular prosthesis into a bodily passageway, said prosthesis including a tubular member having a wall, said wall being impervious to transmission therethrough of an occluding fluid, and an outer covering having portions sealed to said tubular member, said outer covering being pervious to transmission therethrough of said occluding fluid; and    conveying a dose of occluding fluid into a pocket at least partially defined between said tubular member and said outer covering, said dose being an effective amount to at least partially occlude an area about said tubular member so as to at least partially form a seal between said prosthesis and portions of the bodily passageway.    
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein said occluding fluid is an embolic liquid selected from the group consisting of alginates, hyaluronic acid, cyanoacrylates, and admixtures thereof.  
   
   
       26 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein said occluding fluid is selected from the group consisting of sclerosing agents, polyurethanes, silicones, and admixtures thereof.  
   
   
       27 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein said occluding fluid includes thrombin.  
   
   
       28 . A method as in  claim 24 , wherein said occluding fluid includes an autologous clot.