Abstract: Tubular prosthesis for deployment in a human body passageway comprises a tubular member adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body and a tube. The tubular member has a tubular wall, first and second end openings, and a side opening formed in the tubular wall between the first and second end openings. The tube has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the tube is disposed in the tubular member and has an opening arranged relative to the side opening such that an elongated element (e.g., a guidewire) can be passed through the tube and out from the side opening in the tubular wall where it can enter a branch passageway. The tube can be releasably secured to the tubular member in such as manner that it can be detached from the tubular member and withdrawn after the elongated element is passed through the side opening and placed in a desired position.

Abstract: Tubular prosthesis for deployment in a human body passageway comprises a tubular member adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body and a tube. The tubular member has a tubular wall, first and second end openings, and a side opening formed in the tubular wall between the first and second end openings. The tube has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the tube is disposed in the tubular member and has an opening arranged relative to the side opening such that an elongated element (e.g., a guidewire) can be passed through the tube and out from the side opening in the tubular wall where it can enter a branch passageway. The tube can be releasably secured to the tubular member in such as manner that it can be detached from the tubular member and withdrawn after the elongated element is passed through the side opening and placed in a desired position.

Abstract: Tubular prosthesis for deployment in a human body passageway comprises a tubular member adapted for placement in a passageway in a human body and a tube. The tubular member has a tubular wall, first and second end openings, and a side opening formed in the tubular wall between the first and second end openings. The tube has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the tube is disposed in the tubular member and has an opening arranged relative to the side opening such that an elongated element (e.g., a guidewire) can be passed through the tube and out from the side opening in the tubular wall where it can enter a branch passageway. The tube can be releasably secured to the tubular member in such as manner that it can be detached from the tubular member and withdrawn after the elongated element is passed through the side opening and placed in a desired position.

Abstract: An inflatable implant is disclosed. The inflatable implant comprises at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to gel at about 37° C. in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.

Abstract: An inflatable implant is disclosed. The inflatable implant comprises at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to gel at about 37° C in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.

Abstract: One or more markers or sensors are positioned in the vasculature of a patient to facilitate determining the location, configuration, and/or orientation of a vessel or certain aspects thereof (e.g., a branch vessel), determining the location, configuration and/or orientation of a endovascular devices prior to and during prosthesis deployment as well as the relative position of portions of the vasculature and devices, generating an image of a virtual model of a portion of one or more vessels (e.g., branch vessels) or devices, and/or formation of one or more openings in a tubular prosthesis in situ to allow branch vessel perfusion when the prosthesis is placed over one or more branch vessels in a patient (e.g., when an aortic abdominal artery stent-graft is fixed to the aorta superior to the renal artery ostia).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aiding in support and repair of a thoracic aneurysm of the aortic arch. A stent graft provides a window therein, which enables blood to flow freely into branch vessels which would otherwise be occluded by the stent graft. Additionally, the stent portions of the stent graft are configured to minimize the risk of overexpansion, wherein stents are provided in the window portion.

Abstract: A primary and branch graft deployment delivery system (70) comprises a primary graft (72) having a branch port opening or member (75), a retractable primary sheath containing the primary graft, an outer tube (60) within the retractable primary sheath and within the primary graft, an inner tube (61) within the outer tube, a cap (54 or 71) coupled to the inner tube and configured to retain at least a portion of a proximal area (73) of the primary graft in a radially compressed configuration. The system further comprises a branch graft (89) advanceable through the branch graft port member and further comprising a snap connector member (90) associated with the branch graft, the snap connector member being configured to frictionally engage the port member, the engagement of the snap connector to the port member forms a connection between the proximal end of the branch graft and the primary graft.

Abstract: When a main stent-graft is placed in a vessel of a patient and a branch vessel is blocked by the main stent-graft, a RF plasma catheter is used to cut out a portion of the graft cloth of the main-stent graft adjacent to an ostium of the branch vessel to be perfused. To ameliorate possible adverse effects associated with the use of the RF plasma catheter, e.g., creation of coagulum, (desiccated, coagulated blood) or perhaps a cut stent strut, a special process using saline flushing, a novel RF plasma catheter with an insulated tip, or a combination of the two is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying an endoluminal prosthesis for engrafting a blood vessel. The apparatus includes a bifurcated graft that is able to conform to the interior surface of the blood vessel and can be deployed through a single entry site.

Abstract: An inflatable implant is disclosed. The inflatable implant comprises at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to gel at about 37° C. in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.

Abstract: A delivery system for an endoprosthesis includes a spindle having a spindle body and spindle pins extending radially outward from the spindle body. The delivery system further comprises a tip comprising a sleeve, the spindle pins extending from the spindle body toward the sleeve. The endoprosthesis includes a proximal anchor stent ring having spindle pin catches and anchor pins. The spindle pins of the spindle extend into the spindle pin catches and the sleeve radially constrains the anchor pins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying an endoluminal prosthesis for engrafting a blood vessel. The apparatus includes a bifurcated graft that is able to conform to the interior surface of the blood vessel and can be deployed through a single entry site.

Abstract: A stent-graft deployment system (10) includes a stent-graft (15), a flexible catheter tip (12) attached to a catheter shaft (25), a retractable primary sheath (20) containing the stent-graft in a first constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The stent-graft deployment system further includes a flexible secondary sheath (14) disposed within the retractable primary sheath and also containing the stent-graft, wherein when the primary sheath is removed from around the stent-graft, the flexible secondary sheath contains the stent-graft in a second constrained small diameter configuration around the catheter shaft near the flexible tip. The removal of the secondary sheath releases the stent-graft from a radial constraint so that stent-graft deployment may proceed.

Abstract: A stent graft and method for positioning and deploying the stent graft within a vessel system that includes a main vessel and a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. The stent graft includes a tubular shaped main body formed from graft material, a branch opening (aperture) (ring) in the graft material of the main body whose position can be varied. A tubular shaped branch graft can extend from the main graft. A side wall of the main body may be configured as a series of connected annular corrugations or pleats, and coupled to the main body to define and provide variable positioning of its branch opening (aperture).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for deploying an endoluminal prosthesis for engrafting a blood vessel. The apparatus includes a bifurcated graft that is able to conform to the interior surface of the blood vessel and can be deployed through a single entry site.

Abstract: A stent graft and method for positioning and deploying the stent graft within a vessel system that includes a main vessel and a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. The stent graft includes a tubular shaped main body formed from graft material, a branch opening (aperture)(ring) in the graft material of the main body whose position can be varied. A tubular shaped branch graft can extend from the main graft. A side wall of the main body may be configured as a series of connected annular corrugations or pleats, and coupled to the main body to define and provide variable positioning of its branch opening (aperture).

Abstract: A proximal anchor stent ring of an endoprosthesis includes proximal apexes, distal apexes, struts extending between the proximal apexes and the distal apexes, and anchor pins. The struts, the proximal apexes, and the distal apexes define an imaginary cylindrical surface. A pair of the anchor pins is located on the struts adjacent each of the proximal apexes, the anchor pins extending inwards from inside surfaces of the struts and protruding from the struts radially outward from the cylindrical surface. By locating the anchor pins inwards, the delivery profile of the proximal anchor stent ring is minimized.

Abstract: A delivery system for delivering a stented prosthetic heart valve to a lumen of a patient, the delivery system including a tubular body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a base portion with a plurality of extending elements, wherein each of the extending elements is engageable with a portion of a stent of a prosthetic heart valve. The delivery system further includes a sleeve having an inner area. The sheath is longitudinally moveable relative to the base portion from a first position where the inner area of the sleeve at least partially covers the extending elements of the base portion to a second position where the extending elements are not positioned within the inner area of the sleeve.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a tubular graft having a proximal end and a distal end; a suprarenal spring stent operably connected to the proximal end, the suprarenal spring stent having suprarenal positive apices and suprarenal negative apices connected in a sinusoidal ring pattern by suprarenal struts; and a sealing spring stent operably connected to the tubular graft, the sealing spring stent having sealing positive apices, sealing negative apices, and intermediate sealing negative apices connected in a ring pattern, the sealing negative apices alternating with the intermediate sealing negative apices between adjacent sealing positive apices, the sealing positive apices being connected to the sealing negative apices by sealing struts, and the sealing positive apices being connected to the intermediate sealing negative apices by intermediate sealing struts. The suprarenal positive apices are axially aligned with the intermediate sealing negative apices.