System and method of pivoted stent deployment

Abstract

The invention provides a stent-graft system comprising a graft member and a stent having a connection end interconnected with the graft member and a free end opposed thereto. A belt retaining structure is provided at the stent free end. A belt is releasably retained in the belt retaining structure and is configured to constrain the stent free end independent of the stent connection end. A method of securing at least one end of a stent-graft within a vessel is also provided.

1 . A stent-graft system comprising:
 a graft member;   a stent having a connection end interconnected with the graft member and a free end opposed thereto;   a belt retaining structure provided at the stent free end; and   a belt releasably engaging the belt retaining structure and configured to constrain the stent free end substantially independent of the stent connection end.   
     
     
         2 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 1  wherein the stent comprises a plurality of struts extending between the connection end and the free end. 
     
     
         3 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 2  wherein crowns adjoin respective adjacent struts at the free end of the stent. 
     
     
         4 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 3  wherein the belt retaining structure includes a plurality of through holes extending through the crowns. 
     
     
         5 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 4  wherein the belt is threaded through a plurality of the through holes. 
     
     
         6 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 3  wherein the belt retaining structure includes at least two mushroom shaped connectors extending from respective crowns. 
     
     
         7 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 2  wherein one or more barbs extend from the stent struts. 
     
     
         8 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 7  wherein the barbs are positioned closer to the stent free end than the stent connection end. 
     
     
         9 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 1  wherein the belt is releasably secured by a release wire. 
     
     
         10 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 1  wherein at least one additional belt is releasably secured about the stent between the connection end and the free end and is releasable independent from the belt. 
     
     
         11 . The stent-graft system according to  claim 1  wherein the stent connection end includes a plurality of connection elements configured for attachment to corresponding connection members on the tubular graft. 
     
     
         12 . A method of securing at least one end of a stent-graft within a vessel, comprising:
 positioning within the vessel a stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft with a connection end of the stent connected to an end of the graft, the stent having a free end opposite the connection end, the stent free end including a belt retaining structure with a belt releasably retained thereabout;   deploying the stent connection end within the vessel;   repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel, if needed; and   releasing the belt to deploy the free end of the stent.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the vessel is a thoracic aorta. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the vessel is an abdominal aorta. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel includes moving the stent, the graft or a combination of the stent and the graft. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of repositioning the stent-graft within the vessel includes allowing a fluid flow through the vessel to enter within the graft to self-align the stent and graft. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12  wherein the step of deploying the stent connection end within the vessel includes releasing an additional belt constraining the stent connection end.