Optimized Stent Jacket with Large Apertures

Abstract

An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

1 - 73 . (canceled) 
     
     
         74 . An intravascular device, which comprises:
 a support structure comprising metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure; and   a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior of the support structure, wherein the cover comprises a polymer fiber arranged to provide, in a deployed state, apertures through the cover, which apertures have a diameter of more than 100 microns.   
     
     
         75 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the polymer fiber has a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns. 
     
     
         76 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a longitudinal length of more than 160 microns. 
     
     
         77 . The intravascular device of  claim 76 , wherein the apertures have a transverse length of more than 230 microns. 
     
     
         78 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a longitudinal length of more than 180 microns. 
     
     
         79 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a longitudinal length of more than 200 microns. 
     
     
         80 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a transverse length of more than 240 microns. 
     
     
         81 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 160 microns. 
     
     
         82 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 180 microns. 
     
     
         83 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 200 microns. 
     
     
         84 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the knitted mesh cover has a coverage area of less than 25%. 
     
     
         85 . The intravascular device of  claim 74 , wherein the knitted mesh cover has a coverage area of less than 20%. 
     
     
         86 . The stent assembly of  claim 74 , wherein the polymer is biodegradable. 
     
     
         87 . A method of stenting, comprising:
 inserting into a body lumen, a stent assembly including:
 a stent constructed to be positioned in a body lumen; and 
 a knitted stent jacket, surrounding an external surface of the stent, comprising an expansible mesh structure, formed of fibers; and 
   expanding the stent from a retracted state to a deployed state, in which the expansible mesh structure defines apertures having a diameter of more than 100 microns.   
     
     
         88 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the knitted stent jacket is shorter than the stent. 
     
     
         89 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein inserting the stent assembly into the body lumen comprises placing the stent assembly at an aneurysm to treat the aneurysm. 
     
     
         90 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the stent assembly comprises a plurality of out of phase knitted mesh jackets. 
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 160 microns. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 180 microns. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 87 , wherein the apertures have a minimum center dimension of more than 200 microns.