Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: A stent deployment device (1) over which a stent (2) is securable for the purpose of delivery into an operative position in a human body is provided. The device comprises a plurality of elongate wings (16), each of which has a length consistent with the length of a stent to be deployed using the deployment device, the wings being arranged circumferentially about a central body (10) which extends from, and is operable through, a catheter (14). The wings are movable between a radially withdrawn delivery position and expanded positions in which they are displaced radially outwards of the body. A flow path (105) is defined internally of the wings in the expanded positions thereof and a temporary valve (68) is provided in such flow path to permit the flow of blood though the flow path predominantly in one direction. An inflatable annular balloon (80) is preferably provided over the wings to cause final expansion of the stent.

Abstract: Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.

Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.

Abstract: Methods for treating xenogenic tissue for implantation into a human body including in-situ polymerization of a hydrogel polymer in tissue, and tissue treated according to those methods, where the polymerization takes place in tissue that has not been fixed with glutaraldehyde. The polymerization may only fill the tissue, bind the polymer to the tissue, or cross-link the tissue through the polymer, depending on the embodiment. One method includes free radical polymerization of a first vinylic compound, and can include cross-linking through use of a second compound having at least two vinyl groups. Another method utilizes nucleophilic addition polymerization of two compounds, one of which can include PEG and can further include hydrolytically degradable regions. In one embodiment, applicants believe the in-situ polymerization inhibits calcification, and that the polymerization of tissue un-fixed by glutaraldehyde allows for improved penetration of the polymer.

Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for providing therapy to a living body. In one embodiment, an implanted permeable container has living cells provided therein, and various nutrients and/or agents are provided into the container to promote cell life.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a well-defined pore structure to allow uninterrupted ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a vacuum impregnation technique, a paste molding technique, a paste extrusion technique, a dip coating technique, and a melt extrusion technique. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A graft includes a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a blood vessel segment, carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: A venous graft for replacement of a section of an artery and methods of making the graft. The graft comprises a flexible, resilient, generally tubular external support and a vein segment carried within and having an ablumenal surface in contact with and supported by the tubular support, the venous graft being capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the radial compliance properties of an artery.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer involving reacting at least one backbone carbamate (and/or optional urea) nitrogen of a thermoplastic polymer with a modification agent to form a modified polymer.

Abstract: Stents and methods of using stents are provided. Stents of the invention provide external support structure for a blood vessel segment disposed within, wherein the stents are capable of resilient radial expansion in a manner mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. The stent may be formed of a knitted or braided mesh formed so as to provide the needed compliance properties. A venous graft with the stent and a vein segment disposed within is provided, wherein graft is capable of mimicking the compliance properties of an artery. Methods of selecting stents for downsizing and methods of using the stents of the invention in downsizing and smoothening are provided. Methods of replacing a section of an artery with a venous graft including a stent of the invention are provided. Methods of reducing intimal hyperplasia in implanted vein segment in a venous graft using stents of the invention are provided.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polymer involving reacting at least one backbone carbamate (and/or optional urea) nitrogen of a thermoplastic polymer with a modification agent to form a modified polymer.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis is constructed from a structure having interconnected, helically oriented channel-porosity to allow oriented ingrowth of connective tissue into a wall of the prosthesis. The prosthesis can have a small internal diameter of 6 mm or less. Several different methods can be used to produce the prosthesis, including a fiber winding and extraction technique, a melt extrusion technique, and a particle and fiber extraction technique using either a layered method or a continuous method. Furthermore, mechanical properties of the prosthesis are matched with mechanical properties of the host vessel, thereby overcoming problems of compliance mismatch.

Abstract: A vascular graft prosthesis having ingrowth-permissive lumenal wall features with a thin film or layer of sealant-like material placed at a lumenal wall location to promote improved transmural tissue growth and healing.

Abstract: A multilayer ingrowth matrix is constructed within well-defined porosity of a prosthetic material. The matrix consists of either proteinaceous or synthetic layers or gradients, or a combination of proteinaceous and synthetic layers or gradients. Each layer within the matrix is designed to achieve a specific function, such as facilitation of ingrowth of a particular cell type or release of a particular growth factor. The well-defined porosity is in the form of either helically oriented, interconnected transmural ingrowth channels, or a porous wall structure containing uniformly shaped pores (i.e. voids) in a very narrow size range, or a combination of channels and pores. This invention allows for uninterrupted ingrowth of connective tissue into walls of a synthetic graft prosthesis made from the prosthetic material. Furthermore, this invention can produce small diameter prostheses having an internal diameter of 6 mm or less.