Abstract: Methods of preparing and using a stent assembly that includes a stent jacket formed from an expansible mesh structure having apertures and that includes a fiber having a diameter of about 7 micrometers and about 40 micrometers, and an expansible stent operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) eluted from the stent assembly.

Abstract: A medical stent mold includes a tube having an interior passage sized and dimensioned to receive a stent assembly disposed at least partially about a central portion of a stent balloon. The medical stent mold may also include a housing forming a chamber through which the tube extends. The tube may include a thermally conductive material and may have a body portion that extends within the chamber and an end portion that is proximate the body portion and that extends away from the housing. An inner diameter of the end portion of the tube is greater than an inner diameter of the body portion of the tube. Forced convection may be used to quickly heat and cool the tube. Methods of increasing retention of an expandable stent assembly on a stent balloon and of detecting a leak in a stent balloon are also included.

Abstract: An intravascular device configured to treat an aneurysm that includes a support structure including metal struts configured to be positioned in a body lumen and defining a central fluid passage that extends axially along the support structure, and a knitted mesh cover disposed over an exterior thereof and across a radial arc and along a length of the support structure sufficient to exceed an opening of an aneurysm to be treated, and the cover includes a polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns and apertures therethrough, the apertures being sized to prevent blood from passing through the device to prevent further expansion of the aneurysm. Devices including apertures that are at least 20 microns and sized to minimize or prevent an aneurysm-filling material from exiting the aneurysm through the knitted mesh cover and support structure, and methods of stenting, are also encompassed.

Abstract: Methods of preparing and using a stent assembly that includes a stent jacket formed from an expansible mesh structure having apertures and that includes a fiber having a diameter of about 7 micrometers and about 40 micrometers, and an expansible stent operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) eluted from the stent assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and, during at least a portion of the expansion, operatively connect with a filter, and to contract following the expansion. The assembly further comprising a filter configured to operatively connect with the at least one balloon during at least a portion of the volumetric expansion of the at least one balloon, such that the filter expands during the operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which the expanded filter is disposed.

Abstract: A stent assembly including a stent configured to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted stent jacket including an expansible mesh structure having a coverage area of less than 25%, having approximate aperture diameters greater than 20 micrometers, and surrounding an external surface of the stent and coaxially associated therewith, wherein the stent assembly elutes an amount of an active pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: A stent assembly includes a stent and a fiber mesh sleeve covering the stent. A wire runs along the stent over the sleeve and fastened to the stent at multiple points so as to attach the sleeve to the stent. Methods of making the stent assembly are included.

Abstract: A method of affixing a stent jacket to a stent, comprising aligning the stent jacket coaxially with the stent, placing a portion of the stent within a portion of the stent jacket, wherein a central axis of the stent is aligned with a central axis of the stent jacket, and affixing the stent jacket to the stent with a plurality of stitches, wherein the plurality of stitches form a plurality of consecutive loops that pass through one or more holes in the stent jacket and through an outer surface of the stent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent assembly for expanding in vivo vessels, the assembly comprising first and second radially expandable mesh stents, wherein the first stent is separated by a predetermined distance from the second stent and a stent jacket spans the predetermined distance such that a first end of the jacket is operatively associated with the first stent and a second end of the jacket is operatively associated with the second stent.

Abstract: A stent assembly adapted to carotid arterial placement that includes a self-expanding support element comprising metal struts constructed to be positioned in a body lumen and expanded from a retracted state to an expanded state, and a knitted cover disposed over an exterior of the support element and along an entire length thereof, wherein the knitted cover comprises a single polymer fiber having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns, wherein the self-expanding support element and knitted cover together have apertures sized 20 microns to smaller than 100 microns in diameter to block larger debris when the stent assembly is placed in a carotid artery and expanded to the expanded state. Methods of stenting a carotid artery by applying the stent assembly to the carotid artery of a patient in need of treatment and expanding the stent assembly in situ are disclosed.

Abstract: A stent assembly including a stent configured to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted stent jacket including an expansible mesh structure having a coverage area of less than 25%, having approximate aperture diameters greater than 20 micrometers, and surrounding an external surface of the stent and coaxially associated therewith, wherein the stent assembly elutes an amount of an active pharmaceutical agent.

Abstract: A stent assembly includes a stent and a fiber mesh sleeve covering the stent. A wire runs along the stent over the sleeve and fastened to the stent at multiple points so as to attach the sleeve to the stent.

Abstract: A stent assembly (20) includes a stent (22) and a fiber mesh sleeve (24) covering the stent. A wire (28) runs along the stent over the sleeve and fastened to the stent at multiple points (30) so as to attach the sleeve to the stent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and, during at least a portion of the expansion, operatively connect with a filter, and to contract following the expansion. The assembly further comprising a filter configured to operatively connect with the at least one balloon during at least a portion of the volumetric expansion of the at least one balloon, such that the filter expands during the operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which the expanded filter is disposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for filtering debris flowing in an in vivo fluid stream, the assembly comprising at least one balloon configured to volumetrically expand and, during at least a portion of the expansion, operatively connect with a filter, and to contract following the expansion. The assembly further comprising a filter configured to operatively connect with the at least one balloon during at least a portion of the volumetric expansion of the at least one balloon, such that the filter expands during the operative connection in order to filter debris from a fluid flowing in a fluid stream within which the expanded filter is disposed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a suturing assembly for suturing in vivo tissue. The suturing assembly comprises a first suture thread positioned along a first surface of an in vivo tissue having a first surface and a second surface and at least one suture needle configured to pass through in vivo tissue. The suturing assembly additionally comprises a suture catch located on at least one side of the at least one suture needle, the suture catch configured to releasably catch the suture and draw the suture through the in vivo tissue during a first passage through the in vivo tissue such that the suture is formed into a first loop on a surface of the in vivo tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent assembly for expanding in vivo vessels, the assembly comprises: two stents, a first stent and a second stent, the two stents positioned so that a forward end of the first stent is separated by a predetermined distance from a rearward end of the second stent, and a stent jacket spanning the predetermined distance such that a first end of the jacket is operatively associated with the first stent and a second end of the jacket is operatively associated with the second stent.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for opening a vessel lumen comprising a radially expandable stent configured to open a vessel lumen, the radially expandable stent comprises a curved wall having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen connecting the proximal portion and the distal portion. The assembly further comprises a knitted jacket comprising a plurality of interconnected loops, the knitted jacket further comprising a tubular wall that substantially surrounds an exterior surface of the radially expandable stent, and at least one retainer belt that slidingly passes through at least one knitted loop of the plurality of interconnected loops in the knitted jacket.

Abstract: A method of stenting, comprises: implanting a stent assembly in a vessel of a subject, the stent assembly, including: a stent jacket, comprising an expansible mesh structure, formed of fibers of a diameter between about 7 micrometers and about 18 micrometers, the diameter having a property of forming a substantially stable layer of endothelial cells, covering the fibers, thus reducing platelet aggregation, and an expansible stent, operatively associated with the stent jacket. The method further comprises administering to the subject an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) comprising a platelet aggregation reducer for a shortened time period, not exceeding six months, the shortened time period being a consequence of the property. In accordance with some embodiments, the administration of a platelet aggregation.

Abstract: An electrospinning device for generating a coat from a liquefied polymer, the device comprising: (a) a dispenser for dispensing the liquefied polymer; (b) a cavity having a longitudinal axis, comprising a first system of electrodes; the dispenser and the first system of electrodes being constructed and design such that the liquefied polymer is dispensed from the dispenser and forms a plurality of polymer fibers moving along the longitudinal axis; and (c) a mechanism for relocating the polymer fibers out of the cavity, in a direction of an object, so as to generate a coat on the object.