Abstract: A notched catheter has a lumen and a notched outer surface intersecting the lumen with a filament-containing layer adjacent to the outer surface. A part of the filament-containing layer is capturable between the notched surface portion and an elongate element extendable through the lumen.

Abstract: Apparatus tests the durability of a peripheral artery medical device based upon anatomical loading conditions. A peripheral artery medical device is mounted to a support element, typically a hollow tube, having first and second end portions. End holding elements are mounted to a base and are secured to the first and second end portions. The apparatus further comprises means for applying a plurality of cycles of at least one of the following loading conditions to the medical device support element at the location of the peripheral artery medical device: torsion, tension/compression, bending and pinching. In some embodiments the apparatus comprises an environmental chamber housing at least the support element so to mimic the service temperature environment of the medical device. A method for testing the durability of a peripheral artery medical device based upon anatomical loading conditions is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coiled endoluminal prosthesis system may include means for rotating a delivery catheter while axially releasing a coiled endoluminal prosthesis from the delivery catheter. A release element may be retracted simultaneously with rotation of the delivery catheter. The coiled endoluminal prosthesis may have a first direction of spiral in a first rotational direction. The delivery catheter may be rotated in a second rotational direction while axially releasing the coiled endoluminal prosthesis from the delivery catheter. The endoluminal prosthesis may be configured to reduce or eliminate any difference between the length of the endoluminal prosthesis when in the reduced diameter state and when in the expanded diameter state.

Abstract: A delivery catheter comprises a first, flexible, polymer-based tube and a second, metal tube at the first tube distal end. The second tube has flexibility enhancing relief areas along its length to provide localized areas of reduced bending stiffness to enhance the bending flexibility while retaining good torsional stiffness. A notched catheter has a lumen and a notched outer surface intersecting the lumen with a filament-containing layer adjacent to the outer surface. A part of the filament-containing layer is capturable between the notched surface portion and an elongate element extendable through the lumen. A generally helically coiled endoluminal prosthesis may be mounted on a pre-torqued delivery catheter to tighten the coiled endoluminal prosthesis onto the delivery catheter.

Abstract: A coiled ladder stent comprises first and second rails and rungs connecting the rails. At least one rung has lower strength portion or is an enhanced flexibility rung, or both. The lower strength portion is positioned at a reduced strength fracture location along the rung so to promote any fracture of the ladder stent at the fracture location along the rung to help prevent fracture of a rail. One way to make the lower strength portion is to make the cross-sectional area of the lower strength portion less than the average cross-sectional area of the rung. The enhanced flexibility aspect helps to accommodate relative movement between the first and second rails. Doing so helps to prevent fracture of the rails and rungs. In some embodiments of the invention the enhanced flexibility rung comprises one or more nonlinear, such as generally S-shaped or generally U-shaped, portions.