Abstract: An expandable tube for deployment within a blood vessel is disclosed. In one arrangement, the tube comprises an elongate frame that is reversibly switchable from a radially expanded and longitudinally contracted state to a radially contracted and longitudinally expanded state. The frame comprises a plurality of longitudinally deformable elements for providing longitudinal expansion and contraction of the frame and a plurality of circumferentially deformable elements for providing radial expansion and contraction of the frame. The longitudinally deformable elements can be expanded or contracted longitudinally substantially without any change in the shape of the circumferentially deformable elements. The plurality of circumferentially deformable elements comprises a plurality of sets of circumferentially deformable elements. Each set of circumferentially deformable elements forms a closed ring around an axis of elongation of the frame.

Abstract: A blood filter having a support structure and a filter structure. Various embodiments of the filtering assemblies may be utilized as a temporary implant or a permanent implant. The support structure, which serves as an anchor for the blood filter may define a larger porosity. The filter structure may define a smaller porosity, the smaller pores of which prevent emboli from passing therethrough. The support and filter structures may be made separately and assembled. In some embodiments, the filter structure actively slides on the support structure to accommodate the collapsing and deployment of the filter assembly. In some embodiments, a polymer film is selectively applied to the filter structure to provide a more uniform porosity over an outer bend radius of the filter structure. In some embodiments, the filter assembly is shaped to conform to the contours of the aortic arch while enabling self-cleaning of the filter structure.

Abstract: In one arrangement, there is provided a delivery system for deploying a self-expanding tube into a blood vessel, comprising a tubular member configured for insertion into the blood vessel, an elongate body extending within a lumen of the tubular member, and a self-expanding tube positioned radially between the tubular member and the elongate body. The delivery system is configured to operate in a deployment mode in which there is relative movement longitudinally between the elongate body and a portion of the self-expanding tube that remains in engagement with the elongate body during retraction of the elongate body in use after at least a portion of the self-expanding tube has been deployed, retraction of the elongate body comprising longitudinal movement towards a proximal end of the delivery system of the elongate body relative to the tubular member.

Abstract: Delivery systems for deploying a self-expanding tube into a blood vessel are disclosed. In one arrangement, a tubular member is provided that is configured for insertion into the blood vessel. An elongate body extends within a lumen of the tubular member. A self-expanding tube is positioned radially between the tubular member and the elongate body. Over at least 50% of the length of the self-expanding tube, at least a portion of the self-expanding tube engages outwardly with the tubular member and inwardly with the elongate body.

Abstract: A valve (100) for use in delivering a medical device comprises first and second ends and an hourglass shaped centre section defining an aperture (34) for accepting a guidewire. The application of torsion about the centre section closes the aperture to seal against the guidewire.

Abstract: Delivery systems for deploying a self-expanding tube into a blood vessel are disclosed. In one arrangement, a tubular member is provided that is configured for insertion into the blood vessel. An elongate body extends within a lumen of the tubular member. A self-expanding tube is positioned radially between the tubular member and the elongate body. Over at least 50% of the length of the self-expanding tube, at least a portion of the self-expanding tube engages outwardly with the tubular member and inwardly with the elongate body.

Abstract: An expandable tube for deployment within a blood vessel is disclosed. In one arrangement, the tube comprises an elongate frame that is reversibly switchable from a radially expanded and longitudinally contracted state to a radially contracted and longitudinally expanded state. The frame comprises a plurality of longitudinally deformable elements for providing longitudinal expansion and contraction of the frame and a plurality of circumferentially deformable elements for providing radial expansion and contraction of the frame. The longitudinally deformable elements can be expanded or contracted longitudinally substantially without any change in the shape of the circumferentially deformable elements. The plurality of circumferentially deformable elements comprises a plurality of sets of circumferentially deformable elements. Each set of circumferentially deformable elements forms a closed ring around an axis of elongation of the frame.

Abstract: A valve (100) for use in delivering a medical device comprises first and second ends and an hourglass shaped centre section defining an aperture (34) for accepting a guidewire. The application of torsion about the centre section closes the aperture to seal against the guidewire.

Abstract: A system (1) for delivering a staple (9) to the locus of an artery (2) comprises a delivery conduit (5) for inserting into the lumen of an artery through which conduit a staple can be delivered to the locus, and an elongate element (6) such as a catheter for a balloon (7) for translating axial advancement of the delivery conduit through the artery into movement of the distal end of the delivery conduit away from the longitudinal axis of the artery and towards the artery wall.

Abstract: A stent graft is provided which has two stent sections having different functions on, for example, a tubular graft. One stent section preferably comprises a plurality of circumferential reinforcing hoops and the other a Z-stent. The two sections are preferably separated by a spacer section and the tubular graft preferably increases in diameter from the Z-stent section to the hooped section. This enables the stent graft to be compressed radially so that it can be inserted in a catheter for later delivery to a body lumen.

Abstract: A stent graft can be held in place on the outside of the thoracic arch by a hypodermic needle tube which passes through a bore of the stent graft and back to the user. A center tube tethered to the stent graft at an end distal to the user is employed to hold the stent graft within the pulsatile blood flow, preventing the stent graft from collapsing during deployment. The position of both the hypodermic needle tube and the center tube can be controlled by the user by a control handle.

Abstract: Apparatus for deploying a tubular medical (200) device in vivo comprises an elongate element (10) for passing into the bore of the medical device, a deployment device having at least one arm for engaging with the medical device, the arm being moveable in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate element from a first position to a second position, the second position being spaced radially further from the elongate element than the first position, and a thread (60) for the arm, said thread being associated with the arm such that pulling on the thread moves said arm from the second position towards the first position, whereby in use movement of the arm from the first position to the second position enables radial deployment of the medical device.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: A stent graft can be held in place on the outside of the thoracic arch by a hypodermic needle tube which passes through the bore of the stent graft and back to the user. A centre tube tethered to the stent graft at the end distal to the user is employed to hold the stent graft within the pulsatile blood flow, preventing the stent graft from collapsing during deployment. The position of both the hypodermic needle tube and the centre tube can be controlled by the user by means of a control handle.

Abstract: In vivo failure of a helical stent graft is addressed by provision of reinforcing material for the graft material in at least two (preferably three) separate sections, each section comprising a continuous integral piece of material, wherein each section of reinforcing material is in the form of a helix with a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube. Thus leaks caused by unravelling of the reinforcing material are mitigated.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: An articulated device for advancing a medical implant along a catheter comprises a plurality of segments (1, 12) arranged one after the other in line, each segment being hingeably connected to a single adjacent segment if it is at the end of the line and otherwise to two adjacent segments, whereby a medical implant mounted at one end of the device can be advanced through a catheter by pushing on the other end of the device, the hinged connections allowing the device to follow a curved path through the catheter.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: A system (1) for delivering a staple (9) to the locus of an artery (2) comprises a delivery conduit (5) for inserting into the lumen of an artery through which conduit a staple can be delivered to the locus, and an elongate element (6) such as a catheter for a balloon (7) for translating axial advancement of the delivery conduit through the artery into movement of the distal end of the delivery conduit away from the longitudinal axis of the artery and towards the artery wall.

Abstract: A method for testing the pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant 3 comprises placing a resilient insert 4 into the implant and repeatedly expanding and contracting the insert, thereby expanding and contracting the implant. The insert preferably has a cavity therein and is repeatedly expanded and contracted by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity.