Abstract: The invention provides an improved stent design for repairing vasculature, the stent having rings including struts defining first peaks and second peaks, selected second peaks of adjacent rings being connected by links. The stent design incorporates non-linear links with undulating portions extending generally perpendicular to or circumferentially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent first peaks with different longitudinal lengths such that stent flexibility is increased without sacrificing stent compression for delivery.

Abstract: An implantable stent includes a plurality of rings. At least a distal end ring has an eased corner feature formed in the polymer substrate at a radially outward, distal-facing corner of the ring while relatively sharp corners of the polymer substrate are maintained in radially inward corners of the ring.

Abstract: An implantable sent comprises a radiopaque marker that provides a structural connection between two parts made of a polymer substrate material. The two parts can be one bending element of one radially expandable ring and another bending element of an adjacent expandable ring. The two parts can be two bending elements of the same radially expandable ring. The radiopaque marker can be in the form of an entire radially expandable ring.

Abstract: A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.

Abstract: A composite implantable prosthesis including a scaffold with a plurality of axially spaced apart sections connected by one or more bridges, each bridge including one or more hinges. The material of the bridges is generally distinct from the material of the scaffold.

Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are typically web-shaped and result from creating slits or apertures in a covering of graft material applied to the stent and then, for example, applying heat to cause the slits or apertures to enlarge. The remaining graft material forms the interconnecting webs between the adjacent stent elements.

Abstract: A method and a device that determines surface characteristics of a stent to be implanted in a lumen in a body in which a wetting behavior of a stent surface serves as measure for the surface characteristics of the stent surface. In order to determine the wetting behavior, a course of a wetting force along a length of the stent surface is determined, the wetting power between the stent surface and a liquid surface being detected along the length of the stent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an endoprosthesis having a web structure that is expandable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration and that includes a plurality of longitudinally adjacent web rings. Each of the web rings is defined by web elements disposed circumferentially around a longitudinal axis, which are adjoined one to the other at junction bends. A first junction bend in a first web ring is coupled to a second junction bend in a second web ring by a connector which includes three or more struts of essentially equal length that extend circumferentially in essentially parallel directions. The struts of the connector are adjoined in sequence by coupling segments that, in one embodiment of the invention, are arcuate in shape.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for treating hypertension of a subject. The apparatus includes an implantable element which has a non-circular shape and which is configured to reduce the hypertension by facilitating an assumption of a non-circular shape by a blood vessel in a vicinity of a baroreceptor of the subject, during diastole of the subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. In one aspect, the stent includes a butterfly pattern to which connecting links are attached. In another aspect, the stent embodies a non-directional structure.

Abstract: Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.

Abstract: A small vessel stent graft with a fixation coupling that has a hyperboloid shape positioned at or near the proximal end of the graft. The coupling may be deployed within the fenestration of a fenestrated graft to provide multi-directional movement without compromising the integrity of the sealing zone.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis with a moveable fenestration including a tubular graft body having a proximal end, a distal end, a surface plane at least one fenestration having a perimeter disposed in a sidewall of the tubular body between the proximal end and the distal end, a first biocompatible graft material, and a second biocompatible graft material adjacent to and surrounding the perimeter of the at least one fenestration. The second biocompatible graft material has at least one characteristic different from the first biocompatible graft material and is more flexible than the first biocompatible graft material and is movable relative to the surface plane of the tubular graft body.

Abstract: A stent graft extends in a flow lumen to span a defective portion of the flow lumen and seal the defective portion from further blood contact. The stent graft includes a pair of apertures, from which extensions project into the renal arteries to seal the passage of blood into the renal arteries from the abnormality. The apertures are larger than the opening of the renal arteries, such that the apertures need not be centered with the renal arteries to enable placement of the extensions. The aperture opening and side branch extensions contain hook and loop structures to provide a variably positionable seal of the aperture opening.

Abstract: A scaffold is formed by several segments joined or connected to each other by only at least one coupling. The coupling decouples the segments in the axial direction over a finite distance of axial displacement. The scaffold when implanted in a peripheral vessel reduces loading on rings of a segment due to the decoupling of the segments in the axial direction over the finite distance.

Abstract: A cardiovascular conduit system may comprise a connector. The connector may comprise a proximal end adapted to attach to a cardiovascular organ. The proximal end may comprise a first plurality of expandable members, and each member in the first plurality of expandable members may be deployable from a delivery position to a deployed position. The first plurality of expandable members may be dimensioned to deploy inside the cardiovascular organ to secure the connector to the cardiovascular organ. The connector may comprise a distal end adapted to attach to a conduit and an opening extending through the connector. Connectors for cardiovascular conduit systems may also include expandable stents. Connectors may be rotatably secured to a conduit, and the conduit may be reinforced. Methods for forming and using cardiovascular conduit systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A prosthesis having a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, and a sidewall. The prosthesis includes at least one perfusion branch extending from the sidewall of the tubular body and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough, where the lumen of the perfusion branch is in temporary fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular body. The perfusion branch comprises a self-sealing component, that after predetermined period of time precludes fluid flow out of the distal end of the perfusion branch.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis for deployment in a body which has a first tubular structure for stabilising the prosthesis, the first tubular structure being substantially concentric about a first axis and movable between a compact and an expanded state. The prosthesis also has a second tubular structure for supporting an artificial heart valve, the second tubular structure being substantially concentric about a second axis and moveable between a compact and an expanded state. The first axis and the second axis extend at different angles when the first and second structures are in the compact and/or expanded state. A third structure which is shape and/or length adjustable is positioned between the first and second structures.

Abstract: An abdominal aortic stent includes a first sub-stent and a second sub-stent each having a front end. The circumference of the front end of each sub-stent is half of the circumference of the abdominal aorta. When the circumference is gradually reduced to a rear end of each sub-stent, it has entered one side of the bilateral femoral arteries. The rear ends of the sub-stents with full circumference of the cross-sectional area of the femoral artery are included therein. The first and second sub-stents are coated with external removable membrane to compress the sub-stents to generate smaller circumferences. When the removable membrane has been removed, the sub-stents are fully extended to reconstruct the vascular flow path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent graft comprising a stent (1) having a plurality of ring segments (3) disposed adjacent to one another and connected to one another and at least one membrane (2) having at least one marginal ring segment (4) having a meandering web configuration, wherein web loops (5) which point inwards or outwards are cut in such a way as to produce spring tabs (6) which are disposed so that they engage positively in the web loops (5) and are resiliently movable against the web configuration, wherein the membrane (2) is gripped between the spring tabs (6) and the web.

Abstract: An implantable flow restrictor device is disclosed for initially restricting, then gradually restoring blood flow through a body vessel after an interventional procedure. A self-expanding annular member having a constricted diameter gives the device a frustoconical configuration that reduces blood flow therethrough upon initial deployment at a treatment site. The annular member is constricted by a plurality of linkages that operate to allow the annular member to gradually expand, thereby transforming the flow restrictor device to a cylindrical configuration that allows unimpeded blood flow therethrough. In one embodiment, expansion of the annular member is achieved via biodegradation of the linkages. In another embodiment, expansion of the annular member is achieved via creep deformation of the linkages. The flow restrictor device may be attached to an endoluminal prosthesis, or may be a separate complementary component that is delivered during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: A stent assembly (10) is formed with a plurality of stent rings (12) which have sections (16, 18, 24) which are of a non-biodegradable material and struts and tie bars (20, 14) which are at least partially biodegradable. The stent ring (12) thus partially biodegrades in a patient over time. The structure is such that the apices (16, 18, 24) of the stent ring (12) are of a non-biodegradable material and thus able to behave as a conventional non-biodegradable stent, that is with the same flexibility and expansion force consistent with such stent rings. Parts (34, 44) of the stent ring (12) will degrade in time, thereby reducing the restoring force produced by the stent ring (12) and reducing the amount of foreign material retained within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the stent ring (12) will separate into individual components after a period.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intraluminal vascular prosthesis, preferably for implanting in the aortic arch. The prosthesis has a hollow cylindrical body with a first end and a second end; a first vascular prosthesis portion; a second vascular prosthesis portion; and a stent portion which is provided between the first and the second vascular prosthesis portion and which is rigidly connected to said vascular prosthesis portions, said stent portion being free of prosthesis material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent graft and to an insertion system for the stent graft according to the invention. The stent graft comprises a stent graft portion with a self-expanding stent having successive rings of meandering supports and a first prosthesis material secured on the rings. On at least one of its rings, the stent graft portion has two loop-shaped fixing elements which are attached via a common fixing area and which are attached to the supports of the rings in such a way that, due to the fact that they are guided in opposite directions around the hollow cylindrical body, the latter is compressible. Furthermore, the insertion system according to the invention also has a pin element with which the loop-shaped fixing elements can be threaded on.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. A plurality of connecting members connect the apices of adjacent annular elements. The connecting members have a plurality of alternating segments that function to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of each annular element in the expanded state. The stent may be provided with varying flexibility along its length and/or circumference, and may include segments that have different diameters.

Abstract: An expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. In one aspect, the stent includes a butterfly pattern to which connecting links are attached. In another aspect, the stent embodies a non-directional structure. One embodiment is a stent in which one or both ends are more flexible than the center portion. Also, the stent may have a non-uniform drug coating. Another embodiment relates to a stent having ends that are more radiopaque than the center portion.

Abstract: The stent comprises a tubular body comprising a plurality of ring units arranged in the axis direction and bridged by a connecting element. Each of the units comprises a plurality of cells connected with each other, each of the cells having a U-shaped form comprising two linear parts and a circular arc part therebetween, and opening toward one end. The ring units comprise first and second units alternatively arranged and the oppositely disposed cells of the first and second units are only partly bridged by the connecting elements. The shapes of the cells of the first and second units are axisymmetrical about the connecting element. The curvature radius of the top of the arc constituting the arc part is 1.1 and 1.5 times larger than that of each of the tangent circles formed at the edges of two linear parts of the cell on the circular arc part side.

Abstract: Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments with overlapping end rings are disclosed. Scaffolds with at least one discontinuous link are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold also has a reduced crimped profile and a modification of the scaffold's ring structure at the crowns that contributes to the reduced crimped profile.

Abstract: A stent comprising an essentially tubular open supporting structure (4) of interconnected trusses (9), whereby the supporting structure (4) can be widened radially with deformation of the trusses (9) for application of the stent, and predetermined breaking points (14) in the supporting structure (4) for fragmentation of the stent after application, and the ends (10, 11) of the trusses (9) that are adjacent to the respective predetermined breaking point (14) having a joint design and which are provided in the area of the predetermined breaking point (14), such that the ends (10, 11) of the trusses (9) are held together with articulation under an applied pressure with the predetermined breaking point (14) broken.

Abstract: A braided stent to be implanted in a blood vessel comprises a hollow body which is stretchable in its longitudinal direction and whose circumferential surface is formed by a braid of a multiplicity of filamentary elements which, in the expanded state of the braided stent, intersect a plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, at a braiding angle. The braided stent has a smaller braiding angle in a central portion than in its distal and proximal portions which adjoin the central portion in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.

Abstract: Methods for restoring the conical shape of a dilated heart ventricle, or at least reshaping the ventricle to a more conical shape to counter the effects of dilation, thereby improving pumping efficiency. In an exemplary embodiment, a reshaping apparatus comprises an implantable body that can be delivered to a dilated left ventricle via the patient's vasculature in a minimally-invasive procedure. When deployed inside the left ventricle, the body is adapted to apply a longitudinal (downward) force against the inner surface of the left ventricle that causes the ventricle to distend or elongate downwardly relative to the base of the heart so as to at least partially restore the conical shape of the heart. In other embodiments, one or more tension members can be secured to heart tissue inside a heart chamber or on the outside of the heart and placed in tension to reshape the geometry of the heart.

Abstract: A stent (30) is formed of a plurality of stent rings (24), each of which rings (24) is formed of a series of sprung sections (10) coupled to one another by flexible couplings (22). The flexible couplings (22) may be made of a biodegradable material. The flexible couplings (22) enable the stent (30) to expand to a smaller uncompressed diameter and then to expand further to a larger uncompressed diameter, by virtue of the flexible couplings (22) which allow the sprung sections to move from a partially overlapping configuration to a radially spaced configuration. The stent (30) can expand with expansion of a vessel, for example in a growing patient.

Abstract: In embodiments there is described a cardiovascular tube-shaped lockable and expandable bioabsorbable scaffold having a low immunogenicity manufactured from a crystallizable bioabsorbable polymer composition or blend.

Abstract: Aneurysms are treated by filling at least one double-walled filling structure with a curable medium within the aneurysm. The filling structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. Scaffolds are placed into the tubular lumens in order to help maintain the shape, anchor the filling structures in place, and provide improved blood flow transition into and out of the tubular lumens.

Abstract: A medical device including a valve member with an elongate tubular portion with at least one aperture disposed in a sidewall at a location between the proximal and distal ends, and a plurality of leaflets; a first endovascular graft coupled to the valve member; and a second endovascular graft coupled to the first endovascular graft; and an expandable anchor member coupled to the second endovascular graft.

Abstract: An ostial stent is operable to be placed at the ostium of a patient's vascular system so as to improve vessel patency in the ostial region. The ostial stent includes a stent tube that presents spaced apart proximal and distal stent openings and a longitudinal stent passage that extends between the openings. The stent tube includes a selectively-expandable tube section and a self-expandable tube section. The self-expandable tube section projects longitudinally from one of the stent openings, and is automatically expandable to a flared condition for placement within the ostium.

Abstract: A stent design reduces the likelihood of contact among structural members when the stent diameter is reduced before insertion into the body. In one approach, an undulating link has a J-shaped profile or has an angled portion on one side at the peak of the link, in order to reduce contact during crimping. The stent may also include structural features that improve such aspects as flexibility, the coatibility of a drug coating onto the stent, flare reduction, stent retention within the body and/or reduction of the minimum diameter of the stent during crimping.

Abstract: A method of removing slag formed during laser cutting a hypotube may include flowing cooling gas into a laser nozzle, directing flow of the cooling gas onto an external surface of the hypotube, and injecting cooling fluid into an inner lumen of the hypotube at a velocity. Flowing the cooling gas and injecting the cooling fluid may at least partially remove slag from the external surface of the hypotube.

Abstract: A medical implant has a compressed and expanded state with an open-worked, preferably hollow-cylindrical main structure composed of a plurality of crosspieces, of which at least two are interconnected in each case at node elements. In the compressed state, even with complicated movements of the implant, for example when inserted into a vessel, at least one first barrier element is provided at each of a plurality of first node elements and at least one second barrier element is provided at each of a plurality of second node elements in each case adjacent to a respective first node element, such that a first barrier element and a respective adjacent second barrier element in each case lock together as the implant transitions from the expanded state into the compressed state, preferably during crimping, and thus inhibit the transition back in to the expanded state, so the barrier opposes a force in the circumferential direction and opposes a force in the radial direction.

Abstract: A total aortic arch reconstruction graft, including a first, hollow cylindrical segment in the shape of an aortic arch, a second, hollow cylindrical segment having a first end joined to the second end of the first segment, and a second end adapted to be inserted into the descending aorta of a patient, the second segment having an expandable outer wall covered with an expandable stent, and a collar having a diameter larger than the diameter of said first segment, the collar located at a juncture where the first end of the second segment is joined to the second end of the first segment, with a plurality of separate, non-absorbable double-armed sutures pre-attached to the collar. A surgical procedure for total replacement of a patient's aortic arch is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-component endovascular stent system (10) includes an outer generally tubular stent (20), configured to assume radially-compressed and radially-expanded states, and an inner generally tubular stent (22), including a braided metal wire mesh (24) including wire, and configured to assume a radially-compressed and longitudinally-elongated state and a radially-expanded and longitudinally-contracted state. The inner stent (22) is configured to be nested in the outer stent (20), such that the inner and the outer stents (22, 20) are fixed together when the inner stent (22) is in its radially-expanded and longitudinally-contracted state and the outer stent (20) is in its radially-expanded state.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (20, 120, 180, 220, 320) includes a fluid flow guide (22), and a plurality of structural stent elements (24) attached to at least a portion of the fluid flow guide (22). The stent-graft is configured to define a generally tubular foldable section (30), which comprises first, second, and third subsections (32, 34, 36). The stent-graft is configured to assume a delivery configuration and a deployment configuration. In the delivery configuration, (a) the stent-graft, including the foldable section (30), is in a radially-compressed state, and (b) the foldable section (30) is in a longitudinally-expanded state, in which state the first and the third subsections (32, 36) longitudinally surround the second subsection (34).

Abstract: An implantable medical device (30) for treating aortic dissections includes a stent graft part (34) having a bulbous section (48) of greater radial diameter than the radial diameter of first and second sections (60,62) of the stent graft part (34). The bulbous section (48) is able to close off the false lumen (10) of an aortic dissection, thereby to prevent any fluid backflow into the false lumen (10). Radiopaque markers (70) may be provided for orientation and deployment purposes. The device (30) is able to treat chronic dissections and reduce false lumen backflow, which remains otherwise an unresolved issue in the endovascular treatment of false lumen aneurysms.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and apparatus for forming medical devices comprising a stent member and a graft member. Such devices can include graft members that are bonded to the stent member in a selective manner. The selective bonding can allow for greater flexibility, curvature, and conformity of the device within the body of a patient.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a stent includes forming a stent blank from a first material, the stent blank comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns, each crown connecting at least two struts, and a plurality of slots in at least some of the plurality of struts and/or the plurality of crowns, depositing a second material over outer surfaces of the struts and the crowns and in the slots to encase the stent blank in the second material, creating at least one opening through the second material, and removing the first material to form a stent comprising the second material, the stent having a continuous lumen from one end of the stent to the other end of the stent, the continuous lumen being partitioned in portions corresponding to the locations of the slots in the stent blank. The lumen may then be filled with a therapeutic substance.

Abstract: A stent comprising a steal body and a plurality of cells is disclosed. The stent body defines a length. Each cell includes two structural members extending in an undulating pattern. Each structural member includes a plurality of cell segments defining a plurality of nodes therebetween. At least one node includes a non-constant radius of curvature.

Abstract: Implementations described herein comprise expandable stents configured to maintain a substantially constant length between a collapsed position and a deployed position having a plurality of spring members and a plurality of biasable couplings connecting adjacent spring members. Each spring member includes a plurality of integrally connected wave members formed in a ring shape, each wave member has a plurality of curved segments having a plurality of substantially straight segments disposed therebetween. The plurality of biasable couplings are adapted to elongate upon movement of the stent from the collapsed position to the deployed position to proportionally compensate for the decrease in amplitude of the plurality of wave members of the plurality of spring members such that the stent maintains a substantially constant length.