Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable prosthesis having a membrane and a fluid channel that are inserted into a body lumen to maintain fluid flow and support the lumen wall. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a mesh membrane or filter attached to a covered stent. The membrane can be mounted on a frame formed with a shape memory material that can be delivered through a catheter into a body lumen. The membrane and the frame can expand from a delivery state into an expanded state.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis that can be percutaneously implanted by means of a catheter in a patient's body, especially inside a blood vessel or other body cavity. The endoprosthesis is oblong and hollow. It can be expanded once properly implanted to fit the lumen of the vessel or cavity. It comprises a sleeve surrounding at least the outside of a skeleton. The sleeve and the skeleton are initially narrow enough to be implanted and expand once they have been implanted. Room is left between the outer surface of the sleeve of the implanted endoprosthesis and the inner surface of the vessel or cavity it is implanted in. Drugs or other substances can be delivered to the room through at least one length of flexible tubing communicating with the sleeve. The sleeve can have spacers projecting radially out of it. The sleeve can also be a hollow membrane with the flexible tubing communicating with it. The sleeve is wrapped around the skeleton, leaving wrinkles and folds.

Abstract: The device comprises a prosthesis designed as a hollow body compressed against the action of restoring spring forces to a cross section reduced relative to an expanded use position, and held in this position by a strippable sheath. After the sheath is stripped, the prosthesis automatically expands to a cross section corresponding to the use position. The sheath, which can be a meshwork in the approximate form of crocheted material, extends over the entire length of the prosthesis and consists of at least one continuous thread and at least one drawstring. The prosthesis, held in the radially compressed position by the sheath, can be mounted displaceably on a feed wire or non-axially-displaceably on the insertion end of a probe or a catheter.

Abstract: A tubular prosthesis including a tubular wall portion of loosely interlocked pattern, e.g. of knitted loops, constructed to function within a body lumen. The loops are preferably formed of co-knitted strand materials. A first strand material is a metal strand that structurally defines the tubular shape of the prosthesis and maintains the shape when positioned in the lumen. A second strand material is a predetermined substance selected to provide desired characteristics to the wall of the prosthesis.

Abstract: There has been provided a catheter system which can be percutaneously implanted through a skin opening and which can be inserted for example by being pushed along a guide wire. An embodiment provides an infusion chamber which can be changed between a condition of reduced cross-section, upon being inserted, and a position of use which is expanded in relation thereto, in the implanted condition, and which is provided with expandable means which after expansion remain in the expanded condition, for shape retention purposes. The expansion means may be for example a balloon catheter which can be removed after the expansion operation. Another embodiment makes use of an infusion chamber which is of a stiff configuration.

Abstract: Mounted on the catheter is an endoprosthesis which can be inserted into a vessel, for example, in a predetermined position, radially expandable, implantable at the expansion site, where it is subsequently retained in place. The endoprosthesis can encompass a section of the catheter by its own radial tension and can thereby be retained in an essentially fixed position, without axial play, while its separation from the catheter is effected by radial expansion during implantation. The endoprosthesis may, however, also be mounted on the catheter in an essentailly fixed position, without axial play, by mechanical means ceasing to be effective after the implantation because of radial expansion, or which can be eliminated after the implantation so as to enable the catheter to be withdrawn.