Abstract: A prosthesis implanting system includes a delivery sheath for receiving the prosthesis and delivering it to the treatment site and an alignment device on the sheath visible to a user for indicating a rotational and an axial position of the sheath with respect to the treatment site. The alignment device is part of a delivery assembly slidably disposed in a handle. The delivery assembly has a hollow first lumen for slidably receiving therein a guidewire, a hollow second lumen slidably disposed about the first lumen, a hollow third lumen slidably disposed about the second lumen and having a distal end at which the sheath is connected and is disposed about the first and second lumen. The sheath holds the prosthesis therein prior to implantation and the alignment device is connected to the sheath. A relatively stiff outer lumen is slidably disposed about the third lumen and sheath.

Abstract: A vascular repair device assembly includes a main prostheses, first internal prostheses, an optional second internal prostheses, and at least two sub-prostheses. Methods for delivering vascular repair devices include delivering a vascular repair device through a blood vessel to the aneurysm site, aligning a proximal open end of a main prosthesis cranially to the site of the aneurysm patient and directing a distal end of at least one additional one vascular repair device through a proximal end of at least a first internal lumen, and aligning the proximal end of the additional vascular repair device into a distal end of the at least one sub-prosthesis.

Abstract: A vascular repair device includes a tubular graft body having upstream and downstream ends, and an interior surface and a clasping stent partially attached to the interior surface. The clasping stent circumference defines upstream and downstream apices, and struts connecting respective adjacent apices. The struts each have upstream and downstream portions. The upstream portion of some of the struts is unattached from the interior surface and some of the upstream apices adjacent the unattached struts are also unattached. A crown stent can be attached circumferentially to the graft body adjacent the upstream end as a part of the support framework. The downstream apices and the downstream portion of the struts can be attached to the interior surface of the graft body with only some of the upstream halves and the upstream apices attached to the interior surface of the graft body.

Abstract: A vascular repair device includes a tubular graft body and a structural framework having at least two stents. A first stent of the stents is connected to the tubular graft body along an entirety of the first stent and a second of the stents includes a periodically changing shape that defines proximal apices having a first radii of curvature and distal apices having a second radii of curvature that is less than the first radii of curvature. The second stent is connected to the tubular graft body at the distal apices.

Abstract: A system for implanting a prosthesis includes a control lumen and a nose cone affixed at a distal end of the control lumen. At least one supporting wire is affixed at one end, is substantially parallel to a major axis of the control lumen and is free at an opposite end, wherein the free end of at least one of the supporting wires is arcuate.

Abstract: A system for implanting a prosthesis includes a control lumen and a nose cone affixed at a distal end of the control lumen. At least one supporting wire is affixed at one end, is substantially parallel to a major axis of the control lumen and is free at an opposite end, wherein the free end of at least one of the supporting wires is arcuate. Alternatively, a system for implanting a prosthesis includes at least one suture extending from a nose cone affixed to a distal end of a control lumen. The suture extends from the nose cone to a proximal end to a stent graft extending about the control lumen and from the stent graft to a fixed location on the control lumen. The suture is releasable from the stent graft by remote activation, whereby the suture separates from the nose cone to thereby deploy the stent graft.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying stent grafts having a proximal stent includes a first lumen and a stent capture device including a capture portion fixedly connected adjacent a first lumen distal end. An outer catheter has a catheter distal end and a catheter inner diameter. A second lumen having a second distal end is slidably disposed about the first lumen and within the outer catheter. A stent graft sheath has a sheath proximal end connected to the second distal end and disposed about the first lumen. The sheath has a sheath distal end and a sheath inner diameter greater than the catheter inner diameter for holding a compressed stent graft. A distal nose cone has a cone proximal end connected to either the capture portion or the first distal end. The nose cone and the capture portion are movably adjustable to selectively capture the sheath distal end therebetween.

Abstract: A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.

Abstract: Methods for delivering a vascular prosthesis to a treatment site of a subject include advancing the vascular prosthesis, rotating a proximal handle in a first direction about a handle body, shifting the position of a first locking component securing the proximal handle to the push rod from a first position to a second position, rotating the proximal handle in a second direction, releasing the proximal end of the prosthesis from the apex delivery device, shifting the second locking component to disengage the push rod from the handle body; and withdrawing the push rod and the guidewire catheter from within the prosthesis, thereby delivering the vascular prosthesis to the treatment site.

Abstract: A delivery device includes a guidewire catheter and a delivery assembly extending about the guidewire catheter. The delivery assembly includes a locking mechanism that selectively engages a proximal handle of the delivery assembly with a push rod to which a vascular prosthesis is directly or indirectly attached. When an actuator selectively disengages the proximal handle from the handle body, rotation of the proximal handle is independent of longitudinal movement of the vascular prosthesis relative to the handle body, whereby the proximal handle can be moved along the handle body with rotation.

Abstract: A system for implanting a prosthesis includes a prosthesis delivery device having a handle, an inner lumen, a nose cone, an intermediate lumen, a prosthesis sheath at the distal end of the intermediate lumen for holding therein a prosthesis to be implanted, and an outer lumen fixedly connected to the handle. The system can include a lumen control assembly operable to move the intermediate lumen with the prosthesis sheath between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site includes providing a prosthesis delivery system with an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The prosthesis is loaded inside the inner sheath. The inner sheath containing the prosthesis is loaded within the outer sheath. The outer sheath is advanced in a patient towards the treatment site up to a given position at a distance from the treatment site. While retaining the outer sheath in the given position, the inner sheath is advanced out from the outer sheath to the treatment site to align the prosthesis with the treatment site and the inner sheath is retracted to at least partially implant the prosthesis at the treatment site. Upon completion of prosthesis implantation, both of the inner and outer sheaths are retracted from the patient.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient distal to the treatment site. An inner sheath and a curved guidewire lumen of the delivery system are advanced from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient. Advancing the inner sheath causes rotation of the prosthesis to thereby rotationally align the prosthesis at the treatment site. The inner sheath is retracted to deploy a prosthesis from within the inner sheath and at the treatment site. The delivery system is then retracted from the patient.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site within a blood vessel includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient distal to the treatment site, the outer catheter defining an inside diameter and advancing an inner sheath, having greater flexibility than the outer catheter and an outside diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the outer catheter, and a guidewire lumen of the delivery system from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient, whereby advancing the inner sheath delivers the prosthesis to the treatment site. The inner sheath is retracted to deploy the prosthesis from within the inner sheath and at the treatment site after which the delivery system from the patient.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide columnar support while maintaining prosthesis flexibility. The prosthesis has sufficient strength and durability to withstand loads applied during deployment and sufficient flexibility to permit implant in a sealing arrangement within a tortuous body lumen. An embodiment according to the invention provides a plurality of annular structures with staggered, longitudinally overlapping apices of undulating structures. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within a body lumen, including blood vessels, and for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure for use in a body lumen through which body fluids flow. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft where it is to be sealingly engaged with the inner wall of a body lumen so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide an improved seal. An embodiment according to the invention provides an annular structure with longitudinally staggered apices providing multiple levels of contact with the inner body lumen wall to provide a seal at multiple levels along the length of the prosthesis. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within blood vessels for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.

Abstract: An aortic graft assembly includes a tubular component that defines a wall aperture having a proximal end that extends perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component, and a tunnel graft connected to the wall of the tubular aortic component and extending from the wall aperture toward a proximal end of the tubular aortic component. The method for delivery of the aortic graft assembly includes delivering the aortic graft assembly through the wall aperture and into interferring relation with the tunnel graft.

Abstract: A method of implanting a prosthesis in a patient at a treatment site includes advancing an outer catheter of a prosthesis delivery system in the patient and advancing an inner sheath and a guidewire lumen of the delivery system from the outer catheter to the treatment site along a guidewire while the outer catheter remains stationary relative to the patient. The method also includes locking an apex release lumen, a sheath lumen and a guidewire lumen within the apex release lumen, with respect to an outer catheter and rotationally locking the apex release lumen, the sheath lumen and the guidewire lumen. The apex release lumen, the sheath lumen and the guidewire lumen are threaded onto a guidewire and directed into a patient and the apex release lumen and the sheath lumen are unlocked with respect to the outer catheter.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering and deploying a stent graft includes a guidewire catheter, an apex release catheter, an apex capture device, a relatively rigid, hollow catheter, and a distal nose. The apex capture device includes a distal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the guidewire catheter and having a distal portion and a proximal stopper having an exposed side facing distally in a plane approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the guidewire catheter. The apex capture device also includes a proximal capture portion fixedly connected to the distal end of the apex release catheter and has fingers extending toward the distal capture portion in a distal direction that define an interior cavity to receive the proximal stopper. The proximal and distal capture portions of the apex capture device define a stent capture state.