Abstract: A branched stent includes a main branch having a tubular main lumen and a side branch that branches off from the main branch. The main branch and the side branch are made from a strand-shaped starting material. The side branch is configurable between a first state in which the side branch lies within the main lumen and a second state in which the side lies outside the main lumen. In the second state, the side branch defines a tubular side branch fluidically connected to the main lumen. The side branch is formed at least in part of a shape-memory material.

Abstract: A loop structure includes a first element having a first loop, and a second element having a second loop, the first loop interlocking with the second loop. Each of the first and second elements include a plurality of strands, wherein at least a portion of the strands are formed from a flexible material. The strands of the first and second elements are processed in a textile-like manner into one of a braided, woven, knitted, or enmeshed structure defining at least two webs spaced-apart along a longitudinal direction of the first and second elements. The strands are divided into longitudinally extending sections between the webs, the sections forming wings that connect the webs. In the first element, the wings form the first loop, and in the second element, the wings form the second loop.