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 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 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: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

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: 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: 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 system for delivering and positioning a stent within a bifurcated body lumen includes a stent delivery system including a catheter, an expansion device, and an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured for transmitting and receiving signals and for imaging of a body lumen so as to locate an ostium of a branch vessel and facilitate alignment of the stent side hole with the ostium.

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: 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: 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: Apparatus and methods for interlocking stent segments which provide for a secure engagement between the expanded stent segments are described herein. Stent segments which are able to slide freely relative to one another along the deployment catheter prior to expansion may be secured to one another when expanded and/or deployed into the vessel. Securement upon expansion of the stent segments may be accomplished, in part, by utilizing one or more coupling mechanisms between adjacent stent segments which securely interlock the segments to one another by taking advantage of the changing geometry of the stents during expansion.

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: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering stents to body lumens include a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. 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: 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 a flexible catheter shaft, an expandable member, a tubular prosthesis selectively movable in an axial direction over the expandable member, and a stop member disposed on the catheter shaft near the distal end of the catheter shaft for stopping the prosthesis at a deployment position on the expandable member. A variety of different stop members are provided according to various embodiments, such as stop members disposed outside the expandable member, stop members disposed inside the expandable member, movable stop members, and the like. Methods of delivering stents are also provided.