Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a stent which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The stent is configured to have a central portion defined by “open” cells and at least two end portions, defined by “closed” cells, spaced apart and directly connected to the distal and proximal ends of the central portion of the stent. The stent may also optionally have a covering or a lattice with openings.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter operable by a single clinician that will neither displace a deployed stent nor cause undue trauma to the vascular lumen or lesion. The retrieval catheter may be sized to accommodate both a guidewire and a balloon wire. The retrieval catheter is easy to navigate through tortuous passageways and will cross a previously deployed stent or stent-graft easily with minimal risk of snagging on the deployed stent or stent graft. The sheath and dilator are adapted to allow a guidewire or balloon wire to pass through the walls of both and to allow the sheath and dilator to move axially with respect to each other.

Abstract: The invention comprises an indwelling medical device which is capable of delivering a therapeutic agent evenly along the length of the indwelling portion, including the outer wall, of the device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a device is provided comprising a balloon configured to expand to an expanded state in response to introduction of a fluid at a first pressure, wherein the fluid perfuses through the balloon above a second pressure, the second pressure being the same or greater than the first pressure. In various embodiments, a method comprising fabricating a balloon configured to expand to an expanded state in response to introduction of a fluid at a first pressure, wherein the fluid perfuses through the balloon above a second pressure, the second pressure being at or greater than the first pressure, disposing the balloon on an elongate member having a lumen, placing the lumen in fluid communication with an interior volume of the balloon.

Abstract: A medical device comprises a substrate (10) defining a major surface (9) defining a plane, including a plurality of first struts (14) along a first direction interconnected with a plurality of second struts (12) extending along a second direction not parallel with the first direction, wherein widths (11) of the second struts as measured along the major surface are larger than thicknesses of the second struts as measured perpendicular to the major surface such that when the substrate is stretched in the first direction, intermediate sections (15) of the second struts (12) rotate relative to the first struts (14) and the intermediate sections of the second struts bend out of the plane of the major surface. The medical device is operable to extend and/or retract elements suitable for a particular purpose. The elements are extended and/or retracted in response to a stress applied by way of stretching and/or retracting the device, among other methods.

Abstract: A vascular graft incorporating a stent into a portion of its length. While various materials may be used for the vascular graft, the graft is preferably an ePTFE graft. The stent is preferably a self-expanding stent, although it may alternatively be a balloon expandable stent. The vascular graft preferably has a continuous inner tubular liner that extends between the opposing ends of the graft and provides a continuous luminal surface for blood contact that is uninterrupted by seams or joints. The length portion of the graft that does not include the stent has a greater wall thickness than does the portion including the stent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a stent which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The stent is configured to have a central portion defined by “open” cells and at least two end portions, defined by “closed” cells, spaced apart and directly connected to the distal and proximal ends of the central portion of the stent. The stent may also optionally have a covering or a lattice with openings.

Abstract: A stent graft including (1) a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and (2) a covering of a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer is provided. The cover can be used to cover the outer and/or the inner surface of the stent. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane contains serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially and/or circumferentially wrapped around the stent. The composite material is fold-free throughout its operating diameter range and exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The stent graft can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction. The stent graft can advantageously be implanted undersized with respect to a nominal diameter without having material infolding.

Abstract: A dental floss cartridge is disclosed. The cartridge includes a housing, a roll of dental floss comprising a polymer such that the dental floss has a first surface and a second surface, a floss exit opening in the housing through which the floss is configured to exit, a texture-inducing structure arranged within the housing and configured to impart texture onto at least one of the first and second surfaces of the dental floss prior to or during the dental floss passing through the floss exit opening, and a cutting device on an exterior of the housing configured to cut the dental floss into a desired length.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that are configured to be implanted within a patient. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may include a catheter configured to implant within the intraperitoneal space of the patient, an interior flow lumen, and at least one opening connected to the interior flow lumen for therapeutic agent delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.

Abstract: A catheter package and method of use which serve to straighten a curved catheter shaft. The straightening of the catheter shaft may be accomplished by passing the shaft through a pathway that bends the catheter in the opposite direction of the curvature imparted to the catheter shaft. The catheter shaft pathway may incorporate various shaped bumps, ridges, pins or rollers or other features which assist in straightening the shaft.

Abstract: A stent graft including a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and a covering of a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer is provided. The cover can be used to cover the outer and/or the inner surface of the stent. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane contains serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially and/or circumferentially wrapped around the stent. The composite material is fold-free throughout its operating diameter range and exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The stent graft can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction. The stent graft can advantageously be implanted undersized with respect to a nominal diameter without having material infolding.

Abstract: Various disclosed examples relate to a growth medium including expanded polymer particulates, as well as a growth environment including the growth medium, a container housing a nutrient solution and a plant such that roots of the plant are received in the growth medium. Associated methods of preparing the growth medium are also contemplated, including sterilization of the growth medium and preparation of the growth medium with a growth promoting agent.

Abstract: A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.

Abstract: A controlled environment agriculture system is disclosed, in which the system includes a reflective curtain (100, 600) having a porous membrane with a reflectance value of at least 90%.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implantable encapsulation devices for housing a biological moiety or a therapeutic device that contains a biological moiety. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an implantable apparatus that includes a distal end, a proximal end, a manifold including at least one access port positioned either at the distal end or the proximal end, and a plurality of containment tubes affixed to the manifold and in fluid communication with the at least one access port. Additionally, the encapsulation device may contain a flush port and a tube that are fluidly connected to the manifold. The containment tubes may contain therein a biological moiety (e.g., cells) or a therapeutic device (e.g. a cell encapsulation member).

Abstract: An occlusive device includes a covering component configured to modulate passage of blood or thrombus therethrough, and an occlusion frame that includes a plurality of elongate occlusion frame members. The elongate occlusion frame members are arranged to form a generally disc-shaped member. The occlusion frame is at least partially covered by the covering component. The device further includes an anchor frame that includes a plurality of elongate anchor frame members. The device further includes a first hub component from which the elongate frame members extend, and a second hub component from which the elongate frame members extend.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.