US20030149472A1 - Modular endluminal stent-grafts and methods for their use - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular endoluminal stent-grafts include at least two different sized stent-grafts which are deployed one within the other. According to one embodiment of the invention, a first stent-graft is provided having a flared end which is expandable to a first diameter and a midsection which is expandable to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. A second stent-graft is also provided having an end which is expandable to a diameter which engages the midsection of the first stent-graft. The first embodiment of the invention is deployed by expanding the first stent-graft such that its flared end engages a large diameter vessel, then expanding the second stent-graft inside the midsection of the first stent graft and inside a small diameter vessel such that the second stent graft engages the small diameter vessel and the midsection of the first stent-graft. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the midsection of the first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible member to restrict the midsection from ballooning. According to other aspects of the invention, the first stent-graft is provided with two flared ends and the second stent graft is provided with or without flared ends. According to still another embodiment of the invention, three or more stent-grafts of different expanded diameter are deployed one within the other.

Description

• This application is a continuation of allowed Ser. No. 08/806,739 filed Feb. 27, 1997 which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/554,694, entitled “Self-expanding Endoluminal Stent-graft”, filed Nov. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,788, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• 1. Field of the Invention[0002]
• The invention relates to an implantable prosthesis. In particular, the invention relates to endoluminal grafts and stent-grafts which are deployed in a blood vessel which has a varying diameter. The invention is particularly suited for repairing the aortic artery and daughter arteries, although it is not limited thereto.[0003]
• 2. State of the Art[0004]
• An endoluminal stent-graft typically includes tubular graft material which is affixed to the inside or outside of a woven metallic stent and is delivered to the damaged site of a blood vessel via a catheter. Endoluminal stent-grafts are most often used to repair blood vessels affected by a variety of lesions such as stenoses or aneurysms. A typical prior art stent, shown in FIGS.[0005]1-6, is ametallic structure10 made of braidedwire12 such as stainless steel, cobalt-chromium-nickel super alloys and combinations, co-extrusions or braised combinations of the above with tantalum, gold, platinum and the like. Stents are also made from memory alloys such as nitinol and the like. Typical stents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,655,771 and 4,954,126 to Wallsten, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, and in U.K. Patent Number 1,205,743 to Didcott, the complete disclosure of which is also hereby incorporated herein by reference. Generally, thewires12 are braided with a large pick size, i.e. with relativelylarge interstices14 between the wires, so that axial expansion of the stent causes a diametrical compression of the stent. Most often the braiding and/or the metal chosen for the wires yields a resilient stent which is self-expanding. However, some stents are not self-expanding and are expanded with the use of a balloon catheter. In the case of self-expanding stents, the proximal anddistal ends16,18 of the stent are usually flared when expanded.
• While endoluminal stents have been used without any graft material when repairing stenoses, it is now generally preferred to use a graft material in combination with the stent when repairing stenoses as well as when repairing aneurysms. The graft material most often used in endoluminal grafts is a PET or polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) material which is folded to reduce its size and which is attached to one or both ends of a radially expandable stent by means of sutures. When the stent self-expands or is balloon expanded, the graft unfolds around the stent. The above-referenced parent application discloses a stent-graft which incorporates an improved self-expanding graft material.[0006]
• While the primary use of endoluminal stents is to treat stenoses, stents are also sometimes used in conjunction with graft material to bridge aneurysms. The advantage of using a stent in bridging aneurysms is that the expanded stent helps to fix the graft in place, can eliminate the need for sutures, and may provide some additional resistance to hoop stress. Prior art FIGS.[0007]2-5 illustrate the deployment of a stent-graft to bridge an aneurysm.
• Referring now to FIGS.[0008]2-5, the ends of thestent10 are axially displaced inside anintroducer20 which includes aninner catheter22 having a soft (dilator)tip24 and anouter sheath26. Theintroducer20 is delivered through ablood vessel28 with the aid of aguide wire30 which is inserted through the lumen of theinner catheter22. Theintroducer20 is guided over theguide wire30 to the site of an aneurysm, in this case two adjacent aneurysms, namelydistal aneurysm32 andproximal aneurysm34. With the aid of fluoroscopy, theintroducer20 is positioned so that thesoft tip24 is located distally relative to thedistal aneurysm32. Theouter sheath26 is drawn proximally while theinner catheter22 is held stationary. This releases thedistal end18 of thestent10 which self-expands to the inner diameter of thevessel28 as shown in FIG. 3. Continued proximal movement of theouter sheath26 releases the remainder of thestent10 as shown in FIG. 4 until theproximal end16 of thestent10 expands to the inner diameter of thevessel28 proximal of theproximal aneurysm34 as shown in FIG. 5, after which the introducer20 and theguide wire30 are removed from thevessel28.
• From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that by using an appropriately sized stent-graft, the[0009]aneurysms32,34 in FIGS.2-5 are effectively bridged utilizing the procedure described above. In particular, the stent-graft must be long enough so that its proximal and distal ends extend beyond the aneurysms and expand into healthy areas of the blood vessel. Moreover, the stent-graft must be chosen to have the appropriate expanded diameter so that a good seal is made between the stent-graft and the inner wall of the blood vessel. However, the diameter should not be so large that when the stent expands, the outward pressure of the expanding stent damages the wall of the blood vessel.
• Because of the above considerations, it is difficult or impossible to bridge an aneurysm with a stent-graft when the diameter of the blood vessel on either side of the aneurysm differs by any significant amount. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the[0010]distal end18 of a stent-graft10 is greatly compressed as compared to theproximal end16 when the stent-graft is used to bridgeaneurysms32,34 where the diameter of thevessel28 on theproximal side28aof theaneurysms32,34 is substantially greater than the diameter of the vessel on thedistal side28bof theaneurysms32,34. Depending on the nature of the particular stent-graft, this can cause damage to the vessel on thedistal side28bor can result in an inward tapering of thedistal end18 of the graft to a “cigar shape”. In the former situation, the damage can result in an additional aneurysm or rupture of the vessel. In the latter situation, thedistal end18 of the graft can obstruct the flow of blood, or jeopardize the seal between thedistal end18 and the inner wall of thevessel28b. In the case of obstruction, occlusion of the vessel may occur which can be catastrophic to the patient. In the case of seal weakening, blood will enter into the aneurysmal sac and promote continued growth of the aneurysm.
• More often than not the vessels of the vascular tree especially in the abdominal aortic artery exhibit the joining of vessels having very different diameters. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the abdominal[0011]aortic artery50 is the trunk from which the renal arteries, right52, left54 and the iliac arteries, right56, left58 proceed. Anaortic aneurysm60 between the renal arteries and the iliac arteries is very difficult to bridge since the diameter of the aortic artery is approximately 25 mm, whereas the diameter of the iliac artery is about 12 mm. A stent-graft having a diameter of 27 mm will fit well in the aortic artery, but will be too large for the iliac artery. A 13 mm diameter stent-graft will fit well in the iliac artery, but will be too small for the aortic artery.
• The above-referenced parent application discloses a bifurcated stent-graft which is useful in repairing an abdominal aortic aneurysm and iliac aneurysm. The bifurcated graft is located in the abdominal aortic artery just above the iliac arteries with its bifurcated end closest to the iliac arteries. The bifurcated stent-graft effectively bypasses an aneurysm in the aortic artery and provides a radiopaque bifurcated guide to the iliac arteries. Once the bifurcated graft is deployed, an additional graft may be deployed in each of the iliac arteries. The additional grafts are deployed through the legs of the bifurcated stent-graft. The bifurcated legs provide separate fluid couplings for the two additional grafts so that blood can flow from the aortic artery to both iliac arteries.[0012]
• Subsequent to the development of the bifurcated stent-graft of the parent application, additional discoveries have been made regarding the use of multiple stent-grafts to bridge vessels of different diameter. In particular, it is sometimes desirable to bridge the aortic artery with only one of the iliac arteries.[0013]
• In addition, it has been discovered that in some situations where a stent-graft has been implanted to bridge an aneurysm, the stent-graft will continue to expand radially long after the time of implantation. This is particularly likely where there is continuous progression of aneurysmal disease and dilation of the neck of the aneurysm. The continued radial expansion of the stent-graft results in a continued axial shortening of the stent-graft which often results in the ends of the stent-graft becoming dislodged from the blood vessel whereupon the prosthesis floats free inside the aneurysm causing serious danger to the patient.[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• It is therefore an object of the invention to provide endoluminal stent-grafts which are useful for bridging vessels of different diameter.[0015]
• It is also an object of the invention to provide methods for using endoluminal stent-grafts to bridge vessels of different diameter.[0016]
• It is still another object of the invention to provide an endoluminal stent-graft with a limited radial expandability and limited axial compressibility.[0017]
• In accord with these objects which will be discussed in detail below, the modular endoluminal stent-grafts of the present invention include at least two different sized stent-grafts which are deployed one within the other. According to one embodiment of the invention, a first stent-graft is provided having a flared end which is expandable to a first diameter and a midsection which is expandable to a second diameter smaller than the first diameter. A second stent-graft is also provided having an end which is expandable to a diameter which engages the midsection of the first stent-graft. The first embodiment of the invention is deployed by expanding the first stent-graft such that its flared end engages a large diameter vessel, then expanding the second stent-graft inside the midsection of the first stent graft and inside a small diameter vessel such that the second stent graft engages the small diameter vessel and the midsection of the first stent-graft. Both the first and second stent-grafts may be manufactured in a conventional manner using conventional materials. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the midsection of the first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible member to restrict the midsection from ballooning due to the outward pressure of the second stent-graft deployed within the lumen of the first stent-graft. The reinforcing member may be applied to all or a portion of the stent-graft. The reinforcing member is also useful in preventing the stent-graft from ballooning due to the presence of static blood pressure over time after implantation.[0018]
• According to other aspects of the invention, the first stent-graft is provided with two flared ends and the second stent graft is provided with or without flared ends.[0019]
• According to still another embodiment of the invention, three or more stent-grafts of different expanded diameter are deployed one within the other.[0020]
• According to another embodiment of the invention, two or more stent-grafts of different diameter are pre-coupled to each other prior to deployment and are deployed using a single introducer in substantially one step.[0021]
• According to still other aspects of the invention, the second and/or third stent-grafts are reinforced with a flexible member to restrict the midsection from ballooning.[0022]
• Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided figures.[0023]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a prior art stent;[0024]
• FIG. 2 is a broken side elevation view in partial section of a prior art stent introducer during a first stage of deployment in a blood vessel with two adjacent aneurysms;[0025]
• FIGS.[0026]3-5 are views similar to FIG. 2 showing the subsequent stages of deployment according to the prior art;
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing a blood vessel which has different diameters on either side of the aneurysms;[0027]
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an abdominal aortic aneurysm;[0028]
• FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a first stent-graft in a modular system according to the invention;[0029]
• FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the stent-graft of FIG. 8 deployed in an abdominal aortic aneurysm;[0030]
• FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 showing a second stent-graft in a modular system according to the invention deployed inside the first stent-graft and inside the right iliac artery;[0031]
• FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a first stent-graft according to the invention having a flexible reinforcement;[0032]
• FIG. 11[0033]ais a view similar to FIG. 11 of a stent-graft according to the invention having another type of flexible reinforcement;
• FIG. 11[0034]bis a view similar to FIG. 11aof a stent-graft according to the invention having still another type of flexible reinforcement;
• FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a modular stent-graft system according to the invention having three stent-grafts where the second is deployed inside the first and the third is deployed inside the second;[0035]
• FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a modular stent-graft system according to the invention in which stent-grafts of different diameter are pre-coupled to each other prior to deployment; and[0036]
• FIG. 14 is a reduced schematic view of the stent-graft system of FIG. 13 in a “pulled-down” state.[0037]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring now to FIGS.[0038]8-10, a first stent-graft100 in a modular system according to the invention has a flaredproximal end102, a flareddistal end104, and amidsection106. Theproximal end102 is provided with an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter of the proximal end of an aneurysm that is to be bridged, e.g. theneck108 of the abdominalaortic artery50. Themidsection106 is provided with an expanded diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of thedistal end55 of an aneurysm that is to be bridged, e.g. the rightiliac artery56. The stent-graft100 may be manufactured according to conventional methods with conventional materials, but is preferably manufactured using the methods and materials described in the above-referenced parent application. A second stent-graft200 in a modular system according to the invention has aproximal end202, adistal end204, and amidsection206. The expanded diameter of theproximal end202 is dimensioned to engage the expanded interior of themidsection106 of the first stent-graft100 and the expanded diameter of thedistal end204 is dimensioned to engage the interior of the distal end of an aneurysm that is to be bridged, e.g. the rightiliac artery56. The stent-graft200 may be manufactured according to conventional methods with conventional materials, but is preferably manufactured using the methods and materials described in the above-referenced parent application.
• The modular stent-[0039]grafts100 and200 are deployed in the following manner which is illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 9 and 10 which depict deployment in an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The first stent-graft100 is compressed into an introducer (not shown) and delivered to the a point distal of therenal arteries52,54 using conventional methods (see FIGS.2-5). The stent-graft100 is deployed such that theproximal end102 of the stent-graft100 expands into theneck108 of the aortic artery distal of therenal arteries52,54 but proximal of theaortic aneurysm60. The expandeddistal end104 rests in the aneurysm itself and serves to stabilize the position of themidsection106 as shown in FIG. 9. The introducer (not shown) is withdrawn and the second stent-graft200 is compressed into the same or another introducer and delivered through the first stent-graft100 to a point within the rightiliac artery56. The second stent-graft200 is deployed such that theproximal end202 of the second stent-graft expands into themidsection106 of the first stent-graft100 and thedistal end204 of the second stent-graft expands into the right iliac artery.
• As mentioned above, both the first and second stent-grafts may be manufactured according to conventional methods with conventional materials or using the methods and materials described in the above-referenced parent application. In addition, the second stent-graft may be made with fewer wires and/or with smaller wires in order that it fit properly in the iliac artery. The first stent-[0040]graft100 may also be provided with midsection reinforcement as shown in FIG. 11.
• Turning now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a stent-[0041]graft100′ which is similar to the first stent-graft100 described above. The stent-graft100′ has a flaredproximal end102′, a flareddistal end104′, and amidsection106′. According to this embodiment, the stent-graft100′ has aflexible reinforcement105′ attached to themidsection106′ which restricts the midsection from ballooning when another (second) stent-graft is expanded inside the midsection. Theflexible reinforcement105′ may be formed from sutures, knits, weaves, braids, wires, or another stent. Thereinforcement105′ may be attached to the inside or the outside of the midsection. Suitable materials for thereinforcement105′ include polyethylene terphthalate, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate urethane, metallic wire such as tantalum, stainless steel, titanium, annealed cobalt-chromium-nickel, etc. The reinforcement may be attached to the stent by suturing, gluing, hooks, welds or any other method which does not interfere with the compression of the stent. As shown in FIG. 11, thereinforcement105′is a substantially continuous member or members. In addition, such a reinforcement may be applied to all or part of the second stent-graft200 described above in order to prevent ballooning of the second stent-graft in regions of high blood pressure, or in instances where the stent-graft is compressed axially during deployment.
• Turning now to FIG. 11[0042]a, there is shown a stent-graft100″ which is similar to the first stent-graft100 described above. The stent-graft100″ has a flaredproximal end102″, a flareddistal end104″, and amidsection106″. According to this embodiment, the stent-graft100″ has aflexible reinforcement105″ attached to themidsection106″ and extending along substantially its entire length. In addition, in this embodiment, the reinforcement is formed from a series of discrete members which are axially spaced apart from each other. An advantage of using discrete members is that the stent-graft can be trimmed on the operating table without risking detachment of the ends of the reinforcement. This advantage can also be achieved with a reinforcement which is inlay knitted or woven into the graft component of the stent-graft, a reinforcement which is added to the outside of the stent-graft, or a reinforcement which is located between the stent and the graft.
• FIG. 11[0043]bshows a stent-graft100′″ which is similar to the first stent-graft100 described above. The stent-graft100′″ has a flaredproximal end102′″, a flareddistal end104′″, and amidsection106′″. According to this embodiment, the stent-graft100′″ has a firstflexible reinforcement105′″ located between theproximal end102′″ and themidsection106′″ and a secondflexible reinforcement107′″ located between thedistal end104′″ and themidsection106′″. An advantage of this configuration is that it allows a small amount of additional axial compressibility which can be helpful during deployment. For example, if the stent is too long, it can be compressed axially to fit in the desired space. In addition, the pitch angle of thereinforcements105′″,107′″ can be made lower to add a small amount of longitudinal compressibility to the stent-graft while still maintaining a restriction on the radial expandability of the stent-graft.
• Common to all of the embodiments of the reinforced stent-graft is the feature that the reinforcement is flexible enough to allow the stent-graft to be pulled down to a small diameter for delivery to the deployment site, but be strong enough to limit the radial expansion of the stent-graft beyond a diameter which is substantially equal to the resting diameter of the stent-graft.[0044]
• The modular stent-graft system of the invention may include more than two stent-grafts. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a modular system may include three stent-[0045]grafts300,400,500 for bridging twoaneurysms604,608 in ablood vessel600 which exhibits threedifferent diameters602,606,610. As shown in FIG. 12, the first stent-graft300 has a flaredproximal end302, a non-flareddistal end304, and amidsection306. The second stent-graft400 has a non-flaredproximal end402, a non-flareddistal end404, and amidsection406. The third stent-graft500 has a flaredproximal end502, a non-flareddistal end504, and amidsection506. The flaredproximal end302 of the first stent-graft300 has an expanded diameter which fits securely in thelarge diameter portion602 of theblood vessel600 proximal of thefirst aneurysm604. The second stent-graft400 has a substantially constant expanded diameter which causes itsproximal end402 to fit securely in themidsection306 of the first stent-graft300 and itsmidsection406 to fit securely in thesmaller diameter section606 of theblood vessel600 between thefirst aneurysm604 and thesecond aneurysm608. The flaredproximal end502 of the third stent-graft500 has an expanded diameter which fits securely in themidsection406 of the second stent-graft400; and the non-flareddistal end504 has an expanded diameter which fits securely in thesmallest diameter portion610 of theblood vessel600 distal of thesecond aneurysm608. The modular stent-grafts of FIG. 12 are deployed in a manner similar to the stent-grafts shown in FIG. 10, i.e. by deploying the proximal stent-graft first, and then following with distal stent-grafts. Although FIG. 12 shows three stent-grafts with increasingly smaller diameters, the proximal to distal diameter change need not be from larger to smaller. For example, if theaneurysm608 were located proximal of theaneurysm604, the stent-grafts could be deployed in a different order or in the same order but with their proximal and distal ends reversed. That is, the stent-graft400 could be deployed first and the stent-grafts300 and500 could be deployed inside the stent-graft400. In this situation, it would be advantageous for the entire length of the stent-graft400 to be reinforced. Alternatively, the stent-graft300 could be deployed first with itsend302 being deployed distally, etc.
• Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a modular stent-[0046]graft system700 is shown. The stent-graft system700 has three stent-grafts300′,400′, and500′ which are similar to the stent-grafts300,400, and500 described above. As shown in FIG. 13, the primed reference numerals (e.g.302′) refer to features of the stent-grafts300′,400′, and500′ which are similar to features of the stent-grafts300,400, and500 described above. According to this embodiment of the invention, theproximal end402′ of the stent-graft400′ is pre-coupled to themidsection306′ of the stent-graft300′ and theproximal end502′ of the stent-graft500′ is pre-coupled to themidsection406′ of the stent-graft400′. The pre-coupling may be effected at the time of manufacture, or by a practitioner prior to deployment of the modular stent-graft system. As shown in FIG. 13, the pre-coupling is accomplished withsutures401′ and501′. However, the stent-grafts may also be coupled to each other by wires, adhesives, welds, or by using any other suitable coupling method. After the stent-grafts300′,400′, and500′ are coupled to each other, they are “pulled down” as a single unit with the aid of an introducer to a compressed state as shown in FIG. 14 for deployment.
• There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of modular endoluminal stent-grafts and methods for their use. While particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Thus, while particular dimensions and materials have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other dimensions and materials could be utilized. Also, while the stent-grafts have been shown for use in bridging aneurysms, it will be recognized that the modular system of stent-grafts could be used to bridge other types of lesions. Moreover, while particular configurations have been disclosed in reference to flared ends and reinforcing members, it will be appreciated that other configurations could be used as well. For example, the modular stent-[0047]graft100 described with reference to FIG. 10 could be provided with a single flared end, the proximal end, rather than two flared ends, in order to fit in certain tortuous arteries. Also, it is possible to utilize a bifurcated stent (as shown in the parent application) as a component in a modular stent system and use an occluding device to block one of its legs.
• It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope as so claimed.[0048]

Claims (23)

1. A modular endoluminal stent-graft system for bridging a lesion in a blood vessel having a first large diameter on one side of the lesion and a second small diameter on the other side of the lesion, said system comprising:

a) a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is smaller than said expanded diameter of said first end of said first stent-graft;

b) a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the second small diameter of the blood vessel, such that

in a deployed orientation, said first end of said first stent-graft is adapted to engage the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said first end of said second stent-graft securely engages said midsection of said first stent-graft to hold said second stent graft substantially fixed relative to said first stent-graft, and said second end of said second stent-graft engages the second small diameter of the blood vessel.

2. A system according toclaim 1, wherein:

said first end of said first stent-graft is flared.

3. A system according toclaim 2, wherein:

said second end of said first stent-graft is flared.

4. A system according toclaim 1, wherein:

said first end of said second stent-graft is flared.

5. A system according toclaim 4, wherein:

said second end of said second stent-graft is flared.

6. A system according toclaim 1, wherein:

at least said midsection of said first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible material.

7. A system according toclaim 6, wherein:

said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terphthalate, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate urethane, and metallic wire.

8. A system according toclaim 6, wherein:

said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of sutures, knits, weaves, braids, wires, and stents.

9. A modular stent-graft system, comprising:

a) a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded first diameter and said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded second diameter which is smaller than said expanded first diameter;

b) a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded third diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded second diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft, said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded fourth diameter equal to or smaller than said third diameter, such that

in a deployed orientation, said first end of said second stent-graft securely engages said midsection of said first stent-graft to hold the second stent-graft substantially fixed relative to said first stent-graft.

10. A system according toclaim 9, wherein:

said first end of said first stent-graft is flared.

11. A system according toclaim 10, wherein:

said second end of said first stent-graft is flared.

12. A system according toclaim 9, wherein:

said midsection of said first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible material.

13. A system according toclaim 12, wherein:

said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terphthalate, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyolefin, polyamide, polycarbonate, polycarbonate urethane, and metallic wire.

14. A system according toclaim 12, wherein:

said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of sutures, knits, weaves, braids, wires, and stents.

15. A system according toclaim 9, further comprising:

c) a third stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said third stent-graft having an expanded fifth diameter, wherein

said midsection of said second stent-graft has an expanded sixth diameter equal to or slightly smaller than said expanded fifth diameter of said first end of said third stent-graft, such that

in a deployed orientation, said first end of said third stent-graft engages said midsection of said second stent-graft.

16. A system according toclaim 15, wherein:

said first end of said third stent-graft is flared.

17. A system according toclaim 1, wherein:

said first end of said second stent-graft is coupled to said first stent-graft by one of sutures, wires, adhesive and welds.

18. A system according toclaim 1, wherein:

said first end of said second stent-graft is coupled to said midsection of said first stent-graft.

19. A method of bridging a lesion in a blood vessel having a first large diameter on one side of the lesion and a second small diameter on the other side of the lesion, said method comprising:

a) obtaining a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is smaller than said expanded diameter of said first end of said first stent-graft;

b) obtaining a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the second small diameter of the blood vessel;

c) deploying said first stent-graft by expanding said first stent-graft such that said first end of said first stent-graft engages the first large diameter of the blood vessel; and

d) deploying said second stent-graft by expanding said second stent-graft such that said first end of said second stent-graft engages said midsection of said first stent-graft such that said second stent-graft is substantially fixed relative to said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft engages the second small diameter of the blood vessel.

20. A method according toclaim 19, further comprising:

e) obtaining a third stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection; and

d) deploying said third stent-graft by expanding said third stent-graft such that said first end of said third stent-graft engages said midsection of said second stent-graft.

21. A modular endoluminal stent-graft system for bridging a lesion in a blood vessel having a first large diameter on one side of the lesion and a second small diameter on the other side of the lesion, said system comprising:

a) a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is smaller than said expanded diameter of said first end of said first stent-graft;

b) a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the second small diameter of the blood vessel, such that

in a deployed orientation, said first end of said first stent-graft is adapted to engage the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said first end of said second stent-graft engages said midsection of said first stent-graft, and said second end of said second stent-graft is adapted to engage the second small diameter of the blood vessel wherein at least said midsection of said first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible material.

22. A modular stent-graft system, comprising:

a) a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded first diameter and said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded second diameter which is smaller than said expanded first diameter;

b) a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded third diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded second diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft, said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded fourth diameter equal to or smaller than said third diameter, such that

in a deployed orientation, said first end of said second stent-graft engages said midsection of said first stent-graft wherein at least said midsection of said first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible material.

23. A method of bridging a lesion in a blood vessel having a first large diameter on one side of the lesion and a second small diameter on the other side of the lesion, said method comprising:

a) obtaining a first stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than the first large diameter of the blood vessel, said midsection of said first stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is smaller than said expanded diameter of said first end of said first stent-graft wherein at least said midsection of said first stent-graft is reinforced with a flexible material;

b) obtaining a second stent-graft having a first end, a second end, and a midsection, said first end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter equal to or slightly larger than said expanded diameter of said midsection of said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft having an expanded diameter which is equal to or slightly larger than the second small diameter of the blood vessel;

c) deploying said first stent-graft by expanding said first stent-graft such that said first end of said first stent-graft engages the first large diameter of the blood vessel; and

d) deploying said second stent-graft by expanding said second stent-graft such that said first end of said second stent-graft engages said midsection of said first stent-graft and said second end of said second stent-graft engages the second small diameter of the blood vessel.

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