Implantable integral device and corresponding method for deflecting embolic material in blood flowing at an arterial bifurcation

摘要

A device implantable in an artery at a bifurcation into a first branch supplying blood to a vital region having a high sensitivity to emboli in the blood, and a second branch supplying blood to a less vital region having a lower sensitivity to emboli in the blood. The implantable device is initially of a small diameter for facilitating its introduction into and deployment through the artery to the bifurcation, and is expandable to a larger diameter for implantation in the artery at the bifurcation. The implantable device includes a base element for anchoring in the artery at the bifurcation; and a deflector element for covering the inlet of the first branch at the bifurcation. The deflector element is formed with openings of a size and configuration to deflect emboli in the blood to the second branch without blocking blood flow through the second branch or through the first branch. The base element is a coil of tubular configuration having overlapping ends enabling it to be expanded from the initial diameter to the larger diameter. In the described preferred embodiments, the device is configured and dimensioned for implantation in the CCA at its bifurcation into the ICA and ECA.