| abstract |
This invention provides a graft delivery system and methods for its use comprising a prosthetic graft secured to an expandable anchoring member, such as a stent, by a butt-joint attachment means to minimize the system's profile. The delivery system employs a catheter with a relatively small diameter shaft for flexibility and a relatively large diameter delivery base for supporting expansion of the anchoring member. The butt-joint attachment means comprises any means suitable to secure the graft to the anchoring member when deployed within the patient's vasculature and allows the anchoring member and graft to expand during deployment. In a preferred embodiment, the delivery system is configured so that the expansion of the anchoring member pulls the distal end of the graft over the proximal end of the anchoring member and the final expansion of the anchoring member seals the distal end of the graft between the proximal end of the anchoring member and the vessel. One preferred method of use is to deploy a second anchoring member coaxially within the already deployed first anchoring member and graft assembly, overlapping at least the distal end of the graft in order to further secure the graft and minimize flow by. |