Extra-vascular wrapping for treating endoleak

Abstract

A method is provided that includes identifying an aortic endoleak in a human subject implanted with an endovascular stent-graft in an aneurysmatic aorta. An extra-vascular ring is positioned at least partially encircling a segment of the aneurysmatic aorta in which the endovascular stent-graft has been implanted.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A method comprising:
 identifying an aortic endoleak in a human subject implanted with an endovascular stent-graft in an aneurysmatic aorta; and   positioning an extra-vascular ring at least partially encircling a segment of the aneurysmatic aorta in which the endovascular stent-graft has been implanted.   
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein identifying the aortic endoleak comprises identifying a type I endoleak. 
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein positioning comprises positioning the extra-vascular ring at least partially encircling the segment of the aorta in a vicinity of renal arteries of the subject. 
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 47 , wherein positioning comprises:
 introducing the extra-vascular ring when in a deformed state through a laparoscopic working channel to an abdominal location; and   laparoscopically positioning the extra-vascular ring at least partially encircling the segment of the aorta.   
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein introducing the extra-vascular ring comprises introducing the extra-vascular ring when in the deformed state through the laparoscopic working channel to the abdominal location adjacent to renal arteries of the subject. 
     
     
         52 . The method according to  claim 47 ,
 wherein the endovascular stent-graft includes (a) a structural member adjustable between a radially-expanded state and a radially-compressed state, and (b) a fluid flow guide, which is substantially impervious to fluids, and which is disposed adjacent to the structural member and is securely attached thereto, and   wherein identifying comprises identifying the aortic endoleak in the subject implanted with the endovascular stent-graft in the radially-expanded state.