Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a lung of a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The objective output is provided at a frequency (i.e., periodicity) that results in a clinically acceptable tracking error. In addition, the objective output can also be provided at least substantially contemporaneously with collecting the position data used to determine the location of the marker.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: a structure for coupling to a patient; a plurality of reflective markers coupled to the structure, wherein the reflective markers are configured to reflect non-visible light; and a securing mechanism configured to secure the structure relative to the patient. An apparatus includes: a first light source configured to project a first structured light onto an object, wherein the first structured light is non-visible; a first camera configured to obtain a first image of the first structured light as projected onto the object; a second camera configured to obtain a second image of the first structured light as projected onto the object; and a processing unit configured to process the first and second images from the first camera and the second camera; wherein the first camera and the second camera are configured for non-visible light detection.

Abstract: Method and system fiducials contained in removable a device for use in guided radiation therapy treatment. One embodiment includes an active marker configured to be pre-loaded into a catheter for removeably implanting in the tissue of a patient. Another embodiment of the implantable device includes a stability element coupled to the marker and further coupled to an explant line. In some embodiments, the stability element is configured to hold the marker at a fixed location within the catheter (e.g., known location) with respect to a target in the tissue. In other embodiments, the explant line has a first portion coupled to the marker and/or the stability element and a second portion configured to be at least proximate to the dermis of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a lung of a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The objective output is provided at a frequency (i.e., periodicity) that results in a clinically acceptable tracking error. In addition, the objective output can also be provided at least substantially contemporaneously with collecting the position data used to determine the location of the marker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside of the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The objective output is provided at a frequency (i.e., periodicity) that results in a clinically acceptable tracking error. In addition, the objective output can also be provided at least substantially contemporaneously with collecting the position data used to determine the location of the marker.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a lung of a patient. One embodiment of a method comprises positioning a leadless marker in the lung of the patient relative to the target, and collecting position data of the marker. This method further comprises determining the location of the marker in an external reference frame outside of the patient based on the collected position data, and providing an objective output in the external reference frame that is responsive to movement of the marker. The objective output is provided at a frequency (i.e., periodicity) that results in a clinically acceptable tracking error. In addition, the objective output can also be provided at least substantially contemporaneously with collecting the position data used to determine the location of the marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sectional crimped graft that allows graft flexibility where required and limits the overall longitudinal extension. The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of fully crimped grafts by controlling the number of crimps per unit length, crimp height, crimp geometry and their location along the graft wall, dependent on the particular end-use application. In so doing, flexibility and elongation can be controllably tailored only in areas where significant anatomical angulation is present. It may also be useful in applications other than stent grafts such as surgical grafts for aortic and peripheral areas. Limiting the overall graft longitudinal extension also facilitates the deployment of the stent-graft into the blood vessel.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoprosthesis comprising a radially distensible, tubular stent comprising opposed open ends and a stent wall structure having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces; and a continuous and seamless ePTFE tubular covering having a node and fibril structure securably disposed to at least one of the stent surfaces, the graft covering comprising at least two laminated layers, wherein the laminated layers include at least one region where the laminated layers are not securely bonded; and the at least one region has a different bending flexibility from the tubular graft covering.

Abstract: A stent-graft or prosthesis (10) with enhanced flexibility, in particular enhanced bending flexibility, includes a radially distensible stent (24) and at least one continuously uninterrupted ePTFE tubular graft or covering (18) having a node and fibril structure. The tubular stent (24) includes opposed open ends (12?, 14?) and a stent wall structure (26) having opposed exterior (28) and luminal surfaces (30). The ePTFE covering (18) is securably disposed to at least one of the stent surfaces (28, 30). The ePTFE graft or covering (18) includes a tubular wall (16) that is continuously uninterrupted and desirably substantially free of slits, apertures and folds. The ePTFE graft (18) further includes a first region (20) and a second region (22), where the first region (20) has a different bending flexibility from the second region (22).

Abstract: Implantable devices and methods for external beam radiation treatments are disclosed. One embodiment of an implantable device for guided radiation therapy comprises an active marker configured to be positioned within the patient and to transmit a non-ionizing wireless signal in response to a non-ionizing wirelessly transmitted source energy. The device further includes a fastening unit coupled to the active marker and configured to (a) hold the marker within a desired distance of a target in the tissue and (b) inhibit deformation of tissue from moving the active marker relative to the target.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for external beam radiation treatments of resection cavities are described. One embodiment of such an apparatus comprises a stabilization device having an expandable member configured to (a) be implanted in a patient and (b) move from a first position for insertion into a resection cavity within the patient to a second position for stabilizing tissue of the cavity. The apparatus further includes an active marker coupled to the stabilization device and an electrically conductive line connected to the active marker. The active marker is configured to transmit a signal. The electrically conductive line has an internal portion coupled to the stabilization device and an external portion configured to be coupled to a signal generator and/or a signal processor located outside of the patient.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: A low profile, implantable prosthesis includes (a) a tubular graft including opposed open ends and having yarns in a textile pattern to define a textile wall having a luminal surface and an exterior surface; and (b) a tubular, radially extensible member including a portion arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern, the pattern having a series of angled bends at proximal and distal ends thereof, and longitudinally extending members having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distal ends being disposed from the angled bends of the proximal end; the longitudinally extending members having a plurality of detents for securing the yarns within the textile pattern at one of the opposed open ends, wherein the yarns of the textile patterns are securably disposed to the detents. The detents may be holes, inwardly extending notches, outwardly extending protuberances, or combinations thereof in the longitudinally extending members.

Abstract: An endoluminal self-expanding prosthesis for placement in a blood vessel, duct or lumen, to hold it open. The prosthesis includes a stent with a graft extending within the stent. The stent is an elongated self-expanding stent with an open tubular wall structure. The graft is an elongated compressible generally tubular graft. One end of the graft is secured to the inside of the stent and the graft extends therethrough. The stent is deployed allowing the free flow of blood through the open-celled structure, and the graft is freely deployed secondarily within the stent by the blood flowing therethrough. The present invention is not subject to significant distal migration during delivery and placement of the prosthesis.

Abstract: The present invention provides an endoprosthesis comprising a radially distensible, tubular stent comprising opposed open ends and a stent wall structure having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces; and a continuous and seamless ePTFE tubular covering having a node and fibril structure securably disposed to at least one of the stent surfaces, the graft covering comprising at least two laminated layers, wherein the laminated layers include at least one region where the laminated layers are not securely bonded; and the at least one region has a different bending flexibility from the tubular graft covering.

Abstract: An implantable stent-graft (10) includes a radially distensible, tubular stent (20) having opposed open ends (12?, 14?) and a stent wall structure (16?) having opposed exterior and luminal surfaces (30, 32); and a segmented, non-textile polymeric tubular structure (16) including a plurality of graft segments (18) circumferentially disposed about one of the stent surfaces (30, 32), the graft segments (18) including first portions (24) securably disposed to the one the stent surfaces (30, 32) and second portions (26) not securably disposed to the one the stent surfaces (30, 32); wherein adjacent graft segments (18) are disposed over one and the other to define overlaps (26?), the overlaps (26?) forming a fluid tight seal when implanted in a body lumen.

Abstract: A stent-graft or prosthesis (10) with enhanced flexibility, in particular enhanced bending flexibility, includes a radially distensible stent (24) and at least one continuously uninterrupted ePTFE tubular graft or covering (18) having a node and fibril structure. The tubular stent (24) includes opposed open ends (12?, 14?) and a stent wall structure (26) having opposed exterior (28) and luminal surfaces (30). The ePTFE covering (18) is securably disposed to at least one of the stent surfaces (28, 30). The ePTFE graft or covering (18) includes a tubular wall (16) that is continuously uninterrupted and desirably substantially free of slits, apertures and folds. The ePTFE graft (18) further includes a first region (20) and a second region (22), where the first region (20) has a different bending flexibility from the second region (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a sectional crimped graft that allows graft flexibility where required and limits the overall longitudinal extension. The present invention overcomes the disadvantage of fully crimped grafts by controlling the number of crimps per unit length, crimp height, crimp geometry and their location along the graft wall, dependent on the particular end-use application. In so doing, flexibility and elongation can be controllably tailored only in areas where significant anatomical angulation is present. It may also be useful in applications other than stent grafts such as surgical grafts for aortic and peripheral areas. Limiting the overall graft longitudinal extension also facilitates the deployment of the stent-graft into the blood vessel.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: A low profile, implantable prosthesis includes (a) a tubular graft including opposed open ends and having yarns in a textile pattern to define a textile wall having a luminal surface and an exterior surface; and (b) a tubular, radially extensible member including a portion arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern, the pattern having a series of angled bends at proximal and distal ends thereof, and longitudinally extending members having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distal ends being disposed from the angled bends of the proximal end; the longitudinally extending members having a plurality of detents for securing the yarns within the textile pattern at one of the opposed open ends, wherein the yarns of the textile patterns are securably disposed to the detents. The detents may be holes, inwardly extending notches, outwardly extending protuberances, or combinations thereof in the longitudinally extending members.