Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: A stent includes expandable rings formed from a plurality of interconnected struts. A plurality of bridges couple adjacent rings together. The bridges are connected to adjacent rings at first and second connection points, and a first brace element is disposed therebetween. The first connection point is circumferentially offset relative to the second connection point so that the bridge is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stent. The first brace element of one bridge engages an adjacent bridge or a brace element of the adjacent bridge when the corresponding adjacent rings are in the contracted configuration thereby providing additional support and rigidity to the stent to lessen buckling of the stent during loading onto a delivery catheter or during deployment therefrom.

Abstract: A method of modifying a shape of a patient's heart by placing a first anchor against a surface of a first wall of the heart; extending a tether proximally from the first anchor to a second wall of the heart; placing a second anchor against a surface of the second wall; rotating a nut about the tether to move the second anchor distally along the tether, thereby moving the second wall toward the first wall; and permitting the nut to remain in place after the rotating step. The invention also includes a device for practicing the method.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stent deployment are provided. One system includes a delivery subsystem having a nose tip coupled with a sheath such that the nose tip and sheath are movable together, wherein the sheath is configured to receive therein a stent for deployment. The stent surrounds an inner shaft of the delivery subsystem. The system further includes an actuating subsystem configured to advance the sheath along the inner shaft from a proximal to distal direction to deliver the stent in a reverse deploy direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include one or more tubular prostheses carried at the distal end of a catheter shaft, a sheath slidably disposed over the prostheses, and a guidewire tube extending from within the sheath to the exterior of the sheath through an exit port in a sidewall thereof. A guidewire extends slidably through the guidewire tube. The sheath can be moved relative to the catheter shaft and the guidewire tube to expose the prostheses for deployment. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mechanical assisted delivery system and method are provided. One mechanical assisted delivery system includes an outer screw housing, a screw configured to rotate within the outer screw housing, an engagement mechanism configured for selective engagement with the screw, an outer shaft coupled to an end of the outer screw housing, a midshaft extending through the screw and a hub coupled to an end of the midshaft.

Abstract: A balloon arrangement that includes a balloon layer having a base layer formed of polymer material and a cage independent from the balloon layer. The cage is braided. Additionally, a method for treating tissue includes inserting a balloon arrangement into a subject having the tissue, pressurizing the balloon arrangement so as to expand a diameter of the balloon layer and/or the braided cage, removing and/or moving the tissue and retracting the balloon arrangement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for stent deployment are provided. One system includes a delivery subsystem having a nose tip coupled with a sheath such that the nose tip and sheath are movable together, wherein the sheath is configured to receive therein a stent for deployment. The stent surrounds an inner shaft of the delivery subsystem. The system further includes an actuating subsystem configured to advance the sheath along the inner shaft from a proximal to distal direction to deliver the stent in a reverse deploy direction.

Abstract: A stent delivery system includes an inner shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a radially expandable prosthesis disposed over the inner shaft. The prosthesis has a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, wherein in the collapsed configuration the prosthesis is adapted to be delivered through a vasculature, and in the expanded configuration the prosthesis engages a vessel wall. The stent delivery system also includes an outer shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, a shuttle sheath disposed over the radially expandable prosthesis and configured to be in a pre-set locked position with respect to the inner shaft and the outer shaft to operate in a reverse deployment direction.

Abstract: A bi-directional stent delivery system includes an inner elongate shaft, a radially expandable prosthesis disposed over the inner elongate shaft, an outer elongate shaft, and a shuttle sheath disposed over the radially expandable prosthesis. The distal portion of the inner shaft is releasably coupled to the distal portion of the shuttle sheath, and the distal portion of the outer shaft is releasably coupled the proximal portion of the shuttle sheath. Distal advancement of the inner shaft advances the shuttle sheath distally when the outer shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a proximal end to a distal end. Proximal retraction of the outer shaft retracts the shuttle sheath proximally when the inner shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a distal end to a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A bi-directional stent delivery system includes an inner elongate shaft, a radially expandable prosthesis disposed over the inner elongate shaft, an outer elongate shaft, and a shuttle sheath disposed over the radially expandable prosthesis. The distal portion of the inner shaft is releasably coupled to the distal portion of the shuttle sheath, and the distal portion of the outer shaft is releasably coupled the proximal portion of the shuttle sheath. Distal advancement of the inner shaft advances the shuttle sheath distally when the outer shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a proximal end to a distal end. Proximal retraction of the outer shaft retracts the shuttle sheath proximally when the inner shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a distal end to a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A stent includes expandable rings formed from a plurality of interconnected struts. A plurality of bridges couple adjacent rings together. The bridges are connected to adjacent rings at first and second connection points, and a first brace element is disposed therebetween. The first connection point is circumferentially offset relative to the second connection point so that the bridge is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stent. The first brace element of one bridge engages an adjacent bridge or a brace element of the adjacent bridge when the corresponding adjacent rings are in the contracted configuration thereby providing additional support and rigidity to the stent to lessen buckling of the stent during loading onto a delivery catheter or during deployment therefrom.

Abstract: A bi-directional stent delivery system includes an inner elongate shaft, a radially expandable prosthesis disposed over the inner elongate shaft, an outer elongate shaft, and a shuttle sheath disposed over the radially expandable prosthesis. The distal portion of the inner shaft is releasably coupled to the distal portion of the shuttle sheath, and the distal portion of the outer shaft is releasably coupled the proximal portion of the shuttle sheath. Distal advancement of the inner shaft advances the shuttle sheath distally when the outer shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a proximal end to a distal end. Proximal retraction of the outer shaft retracts the shuttle sheath proximally when the inner shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a distal end to a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A bi-directional stent delivery system includes an inner elongate shaft, a radially expandable prosthesis disposed over the inner elongate shaft, an outer elongate shaft, and a shuttle sheath disposed over the radially expandable prosthesis. The distal portion of the inner shaft is releasably coupled to the distal portion of the shuttle sheath, and the distal portion of the outer shaft is releasably coupled the proximal portion of the shuttle sheath. Distal advancement of the inner shaft advances the shuttle sheath distally when the outer shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a proximal end to a distal end. Proximal retraction of the outer shaft retracts the shuttle sheath proximally when the inner shaft is uncoupled from the shuttle sheath, thereby allowing the prosthesis to radially expand from a distal end to a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using stent structures comprising a plurality of radially expansible rings where at least some of the rings comprise axially extending elements which interleave with axially extending elements on adjacent unconnected rings. The ring structures may be open cell structures or closed cell structures, and the axially extending elements will typically be formed as part of the open cell or closed cell structure.

Abstract: A luminal prosthesis comprises a plurality of radially expandable prosthetic stent segments arranged axially. Two or more of the prosthetic stent segments are separable upon expansion from the remaining prosthetic stent segments and a coupling structure connects at least some of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to each other. The coupling structure permits a first group of the adjacent prosthetic stent segments to separate from a second group of the prosthetic stent segments upon differential radial expansion of the first group relative to the second group and the coupling structure maintains or forms an attachment between the adjacent prosthetic stent segments in the first group which have been expanded together. A delivery system and methods for deploying the multiple coupled prosthetic stent segments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Blood vessels and other body lumens are stented using stent structures comprising a plurality of radially expansible rings where at least some of the rings comprise axially extending elements which interleave with axially extending elements on adjacent unconnected rings. The ring structures may be open cell structures or closed cell structures, and the axially extending elements will typically be formed as part of the open cell or closed cell structure.