Abstract: A protective device against embolization is provided for use in angioplasty of the carotid artery comprising a guide catheter that forms a lumen, and a tubular member axially movable in the lumen and having a distal end expandable against the walls of the artery. The distal end includes a drainage port with non-folding edges that communicates through the tubular member with an outlet port having an hemostatic valve and an access port that enables the introduction of a guide wire and angioplasty balloon. When deployed in the carotid artery, the distal end occludes antegrade flow through the vessel and induces retrograde flow that carries emboli through the drainage port and out of the body.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising a graft and an expandable stent underlying the graft, the stent and graft being linked together only at or near their distal ends. The difference in stent length between compressed and expanded radial configurations may exceed the difference in graft length between such configurations. An introducer for such prosthesis comprises an interior sheath axially mounted inside an exterior sheath, with the graft positioned between the interior and exterior sheaths and the stent compressed at least partially inside the interior sheath. A method for deploying the prosthesis using such an introducer may include positioning the introducer distal end upstream relative to proximally flowing endoluminal fluid so that the endoluminal fluid may flow between the graft and inner sheath during stent deployment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure comprising a catheter having an occlusion element, an aspiration lumen, and a blood outlet port in communication with the lumen, a guide wire having a balloon, a venous return catheter with a blood inlet port, and tubing that couples the blood outlet port to the blood inlet port. Apparatus is also provided for occluding the external carotid artery to prevent reversal of flow into the internal carotid artery. The pressure differential between the artery and the vein provides reverse flow through the artery, thereby flushing emboli. A blood filter may optionally be included in-line with the tubing to filter emboli from blood reperfused into the patient.

Abstract: An arterial graft device and a process for positioning the same, wherein said device comprises a first part positioned by conventional techniques within the artery, and a second part positioned on the first part by guiding means which are provided on the first part so as to prevent a catheter guidewire—whereby said second part is positioned in place—from deviating and damaging arterial walls.

Abstract: An arterial graft device and a process for positioning the same, wherein the device comprises a first part positioned by conventional techniques within the artery, and a second part which is positioned and fixed on the first part by a cone-shaped segment which is provided on the first part so as to prevent a catheter guidewire—whereby the second part is positioned in place—from deviating and damaging arterial walls.

Abstract: A stent graft device for locate inside an aorta affected by an aneurysm causing the aorta having an inner diameter smaller than the sum of inner diameters of the iliac arteries, the graft having an upper main tubular portion dividing into two pending graft limbs capable of accommodating together within the restricted inner diameter of the aorta without the restriction of the aorta affecting the diameter of the limbs, the limbs having respective distal end portions having diameters larger than the diameters of the graft limbs so as to be accommodated and retained within the iliac arteries.

Abstract: A stent graft device has an upper main tubular portion dividing into two tubular limbs and is adapted for location in an aorta having an aneurysm. The stent graft device is well suited for an aorta having a restricted section having an inner diameter smaller than the sum of the inner diameters of the iliac arteries, which branch from the aorta. The diameters of the two tubular limbs are sufficiently small to allow for both tubular limbs to be deployed side-by-side in a fully expanded state within the restricted section without being constrained by the aorta inner surface. The limbs also have distal end portions having diameters larger than the diameters of limbs at the area near the restricted section for being retained within the iliac arteries.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for removing emboli during an angioplasty, stenting or surgical procedure using a catheter having an occlusion element disposed on its distal end, a suction device, and an aspiration lumen communicating therebetween. The occlusion element is configured to be placed proximal of a stenosis and deployed to occlude antegrade flow, so that flow is reversed in the vessel when the suction device is selectively activated. The aspiration lumen is sized so that an interventional device, such as an angioplasty catheter, may be readily advanced therethrough to the site of a stenosis. The suction device may be activated intermittently at key stages of the procedure to provide reverse flow through the vessel, and the catheter may include bypass holes for limiting suction levels and/or providing intermittent antegrade flow.

Abstract: A brand new device and a method to do arteriographies which allow simultaneous angioplasties by using a catheter and a balloon capable of copying the narrowed portion of the artery under study, providing the contrast required to view the artery via a contrasting medium which is circumscribed within the diagnosis balloon and which is not in relationship with the patient's tissue; therefor, the catheter has a diagnosis balloon which may be filled with the contrasting medium.

Abstract: A guiding device and method for inserting and advancing more than one catheter and/or guidewire through the vascular tree of a patient in endovascular treatments, particularly through tortuous blood vessels, the guiding device comprising an open or close guiding channel provided at a distal end of the catheter or guidewire, whereby the catheter or guidewire may be easily advanced through the vessel over a previously installed guidewire.

Abstract: A device for endoluminally placing an endovascular tubular prosthesis in a vascular duct along a guide wire. The device comprises an introducer exterior sheath and an interior sheath therein, with the prosthesis positioned between the sheaths and an elastic expander compressed inside the interior sheath. The expander furthest end exteriorly projects from the interior sheath and is joined to the tubular prosthesis furthest end. A pusher is linked to the expander nearest end, and may contain a radiopaque substance where it connects to the expander. The expander may have an expanded length that is longer than the length of the prosthesis.

Abstract: ENDOVASCULAR EXPANDER, OF NON MIGRANT POSITIONING; including a tubular body--generally structured by a wire mesh--which, tensed in the sense of its diametrical expansion against the internal surfaces of the vessel of application, is able to be introduced in it in order to maintain or increase the lumen of said vessel; wherein, outwardly, the expander has a plurality of unidirectional anchorages in proximal arrangement to said tubular body and in the sense of its generatrix; each one of said anchorages possesses two opposite ends of--union to the body of the expander and of vascular anchorage, respectively--of which: that one of union is articulable with respect to said body, while that one of vascular anchorage, as of said link is projected freely in proximal arrangement to the body of said expander; so that, being said endovascular expander applied--the anchorage ends being oriented in equal direction to that of the flow of the bloodstream--said anchorages are capable of opening in contraposition to the migr