Barb and expandable transluminal graft prosthesis for repair of aneurysm

Abstract

An improved prosthesis assembly for placement at an aneurysm in the bifurcated lumen of the aorta and the common iliac arteries extending therefrom. The prosthesis assembly includes a single lumen graft or a bifurcated lumen graft having a main body and ipsilateral and contralateral limbs extending therefrom. The main body and ipsilateral and contralateral limbs each have a spring assembly about their orifices for conforming that portion of the graft to the wall of the vessel lumen. The main body spring assembly has an improved barb with first and second attachment arms for securely anchoring the spring assembly to the vessel wall. The improved barb includes two forms of mechanical attachment such as, for example, a helical coil body positioned around a spring assembly arm and, secondly, a bonding material such as, for example, solder for fixedly attaching the coil and spring assembly arm. The attachment arms of the barb are positioned longitudinally along the spring assembly arm for engagement with the vessel wall without engaging each other when the spring assembly is in a collapsed condition. The ipsilateral and contralateral spring assemblies also include the improved barb with only a single attachment arm for anchoring the spring assembly to the vessel wall.