Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a preloaded stent graft delivery device includes a guidewire catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide wire lumen therethrough; a nose cone dilator at the proximal end of the guide wire catheter, the nose cone dilator comprising a distal end and a capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a handle assembly at the distal end of the guidewire catheter, the handle assembly comprising a first section and a second section releasably connected to the handle assembly and in communication with the capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a ratchet assembly disposed within an interior surface of the first section of the handle assembly; a pusher catheter extending from the handle assembly towards the nose cone dilator; and a sheath disposed coaxially over the pusher catheter.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart includes a graft having a tubular body with a lumen extending from proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart to a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. A collar around the graft is sized and configured to be sutured to a patient's aorta. Passageways in the middle portion of the graft permit fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to an exterior of the graft. A respective bridging branch is disposed at each of the passageways, each of the bridging branches having an inner opening and an outer opening so that the bridging branches provide fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to the exterior of the graft. A respective bridging graft is sized and arranged to mate with each of the bridging branches.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pre-loaded stent graft delivery device. The pre-loaded stent graft delivery device includes a guide wire catheter having a guide wire lumen therethrough; and a handle assembly disposed at a distal end of the guide wire catheter. The handle assembly includes a proximal handle, a rotational handle, a slot, and a sheath follower. The proximal handle, including a manifold including at least one side port, is disposed at a proximal end of the handle assembly. The slot is disposed inside the rotational handle, and is fixed and remains stationary relative to the proximal handle. The sheath follower is disposed slidably in the slot and fixed to a distal portion of a sheath. The rotational handle includes an internal thread mechanically coupled with the sheath follower, so that, when the rotational handle rotates toward a first rotational direction, the sheath is pulled to move distally.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system includes a graft having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal portion of the graft includes the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft includes the distal end; and a middle portion of the graft extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A plurality of connection branches are attached to the middle portion. Each of the connection branches has an inner opening at an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer opening at an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. Each of the connection branches is pivotable in a proximal and distal direction and a circumferential direction relative to the middle portion. Further, each of the connection branches includes an expandable seal stent at the outer end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent which includes stent ring structures made up of at least one wire and at least one tubular connector through which a portion of the wire is disposed. The tubular connector includes a side wall with an aperture formed therethrough. A portion of the wire extends therethrough and acts as a barb. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a continuous stitch wire routing and delivery system. The system includes a transitional stitching on a tube of a stent graft. The transitional stitching includes a distal portion stitching and a proximal portion stitching. A portion of each stitch loop of the stitches of the transitional stitching is disposed outside the tube and having a string passing through the stitch loop. A distal portion of the string passes through stitch loops of the distal portion stitching, a middle portion of the string is circumferentially around the tube, and a proximal portion of the string passes through stitch loops of the proximal portion stitching. The stent graft is in a compressed state when a tension of the string is above a high-tension threshold. The stent graft is in an expanded state when the tension is below a low-tension threshold.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart, includes a graft having a main body with a proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart and a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. The main body defines a proximal portion of the graft including the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft including the distal end; a middle portion of the graft extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A connection branch attached to the middle portion has an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. The outer end of the connection branch includes a terminal ring composed of at least two partial rings pivotable relative to each other and including at least one radially outward barb.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a prosthesis deployment system, and method of deployment of a prosthesis using the same, having a positioning member at least partially disposed within a tubular segment of a tip assembly. The positioning member is movable between nondeployed and deployed configurations. In the nondeployed configuration the positioning member can permit the tip assembly to move relative to the enlarged body assembly. When an enlarged body is at a position farther away from a tip body, which may be at the edge of the tubular segment, the positioning member can move or flare to its deployed configuration to inhibit the enlarged body from moving relatively closer to the tip assembly. Axial force applied to the tip assembly during withdrawal of the tip assembly can be transmitted via the positioning member to the enlarged body assembly to facilitate its withdrawal from the body.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a continuous stitch wire routing and delivery system. The system includes a transitional stitching on a tube of a stent graft. The transitional stitching includes a distal portion stitching and a proximal portion stitching. A portion of each stitch loop of the stitches of the transitional stitching is disposed outside the tube and having a string passing through the stitch loop. A distal portion of the string passes through stitch loops of the distal portion stitching, a middle portion of the string is circumferentially around the tube, and a proximal portion of the string passes through stitch loops of the proximal portion stitching. The stent graft is in a compressed state when a tension of the string is above a high-tension threshold. The stent graft is in an expanded state when the tension is below a low-tension threshold.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart, includes a graft having a main body with a proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart and a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. The main body defines a proximal portion of the graft including the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft including the distal end; a middle portion of the graft extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A connection branch attached to the middle portion has an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. The outer end of the connection branch includes a terminal ring composed of at least two partial rings pivotable relative to each other and including at least one radially outward barb.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system includes a graft having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal portion of the graft includes the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft includes the distal end; and a middle portion of the graft extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A plurality of connection branches are attached to the middle portion. Each of the connection branches has an inner opening at an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer opening at an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. Each of the connection branches is pivotable in a proximal and distal direction and a circumferential direction relative to the middle portion. Further, each of the connection branches includes an expandable seal stent at the outer end.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart includes a graft having a tubular body with a lumen extending from proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart to a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. A collar around the graft is sized and configured to be sutured to a patient's aorta. Passageways in the middle portion of the graft permit fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to an exterior of the graft. A respective bridging branch is disposed at each of the passageways, each of the bridging branches having an inner opening and an outer opening so that the bridging branches provide fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to the exterior of the graft. A respective bridging graft is sized and arranged to mate with each of the bridging branches.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a preloaded stent graft delivery device including a guidewire catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide wire lumen therethrough; a nose cone dilator at the proximal end of the guide wire catheter; a handle assembly at the distal end of the guidewire catheter; a thumbwheel rotatably mounted to the handle assembly, the thumbwheel having a ratchet assembly disposed therein; a sheath mount positioned within an interior surface of the handle assembly and coupled to the thumbwheel; a pusher catheter extending from the handle assembly towards the nose cone dilator, the pusher catheter comprising at least one lumen therethrough where the guidewire catheter extends through the at least one lumen within the pusher catheter; a sheath disposed coaxially over the pusher catheter, the sheath at least partially coupled to the sheath mount within the interior surface of the handle assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent which includes stent ring structures made up of at least one wire and at least one tubular connector through which a portion of the wire is disposed. The tubular connector includes a side wall with an aperture formed therethrough. A portion of the wire extends therethrough and acts as a barb. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a preloaded stent graft delivery device includes a guidewire catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide wire lumen therethrough; a nose cone dilator at the proximal end of the guide wire catheter, the nose cone dilator comprising a distal end and a capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a handle assembly at the distal end of the guidewire catheter, the handle assembly comprising a first section and a second section releasably connected to the handle assembly and in communication with the capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a ratchet assembly disposed within an interior surface of the first section of the handle assembly; a pusher catheter extending from the handle assembly towards the nose cone dilator; and a sheath disposed coaxially over the pusher catheter.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a prosthesis deployment system, and method of deployment of a prosthesis using the same, having a positioning member at least partially disposed within a tubular segment of a tip assembly. The positioning member is movable between nondeployed and deployed configurations. In the nondeployed configuration the positioning member can permit the tip assembly to move relative to the enlarged body assembly. When an enlarged body is at a position farther away from a tip body, which may be at the edge of the tubular segment, the positioning member can move or flare to its deployed configuration to inhibit the enlarged body from moving relatively closer to the tip assembly. Axial force applied to the tip assembly during withdrawal of the tip assembly can be transmitted via the positioning member to the enlarged body assembly to facilitate its withdrawal from the body.