Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: Devices for the controlled release of one or more drugs are provided. The devices include an implantable stent, at least two reservoirs in the stent, and a release system contained in each of the at least two reservoirs, wherein the release system comprises one or more drugs for release.

Abstract: The present invention provides modular bifurcated intraluminal tubular prostheses, particularly stents and stent-grafts, for the treatment of disease conditions, particularly aneurysms. Modular sections of the prostheses, or “prosthetic modules,” may be selectively assembled to form a prosthesis having characteristics which are tailored to the specific requirements of the patient, including branch angle and branch lumen sizes which match the patients vascular geometry. A Y-connector prosthetic module structure provides support and separation for each of the adjacent branching lumens. Radiopaque markers on the prostheses promote alignment between prosthetic modules and with the body lumen system.

Abstract: An endolumenal medical device assembly is provided for use in a bifurcation region of a body lumen. An expandable prosthesis, such as a stent, is included in the assembly and is adjustable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The expandable prosthesis includes a prosthesis passageway and a side port. A dilator or an access device is engaged within the prosthesis passageway and also through the side port while the expandable prosthesis is in the radially collapsed condition. The expandable prosthesis may be positioned in the bifurcation region such that its distal end portion is in a first branch lumen extending from the bifurcation, its proximal end portion is in a common proximal lumen of the bifurcation region, and the side port is aligned with an entrance zone to a second branch lumen extending from the bifurcation.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter, is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The shape memory endoluminal stent is fabricated from a shape memory alloy which exhibits either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension.

Abstract: Metal composite tubes offer advantages in constructing biomedical device components such as stents. The composite tube comprises a cylindrical wall made of a biocompatible metal matrix with a filament or filaments of other metals that add radiopacity, and/or other advantageous mechanical or physical properties. The filaments are generally oriented along the length of the tube and are surrounded by the wall of the tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of treating a patient with diseased or damaged organs comprising administering to said patient a bioremodelable collagen-containing material which promotes the production of structural collagen, vascularization and epithelialization by the ingrowth of patient cells, wherein the material undergoes controlled biodegradation occurring with adequate living cell replacement such that the original implanted graft is bioremodeled by the patient's living cells.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal support structures which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter, is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The stent and ePTFE covering are helically wound into an open cylindrical configuration with adjacent windings forming overlapping regions of ePTFE covering bonded to one another.

Abstract: Improved stented grafts for coupling vascular members, and for use in surgical implantation during coronary bypass operations. The stented graft of the present invention comprises a plurality of graft link segments, each having a lumen for accommodating blood flow, and with at least one graft link segment being secured to one end of a vascular stent forming a junction between a supply lumen and a delivery lumen. The delivery lumen is arranged to be inserted into the patient's vascular system downstream from blockage in the coronary artery. In order to provide ease of access for the attachment of a second graft link segment to the stent assembly, the individual tubular element or elements defining the dual lumen assembly are axially offset, one from the other, in order to expose the free end of the stent for receiving a second graft link segment.

Abstract: Improved stented grafts for coupling vascular members, and for use in surgical implantation during coronary bypass operations. The stented graft of the present invention comprises a plurality of graft link segments, each having a lumen for accommodating blood flow, and with at least one graft link segment being secured to one end of a vascular stent forming a junction between a supply lumen and a delivery lumen. The delivery lumen is arranged to be inserted into the patient's vascular system downstream from blockage in the coronary artery. In order to provide ease of access for the attachment of a second graft link segment to the stent assembly, the individual tubular element or elements defining the dual lumen assembly are axially offset, one from the other, in order to expose the free end of the stent for receiving a second graft link segment.

Abstract: A radially expandable endoluminal covered stent assembly and a method and apparatus for making the same. A longitudinally and radially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular graft is circumferentially engaged about one or more radially expandable stents and is retained thereon by a radial recoil force exerted by the tubular graft against the stent. The graft is retained on the stent or stents prior to and during endoluminal delivery and radial expansion without the use of adhesives, sutures or other attachment means. Further, upon radial expansion the stent or stents do not require retaining means for preventing contraction, despite the inherent recoil imparted by the tubular graft. The covered stent is assembled by joining a dilation mandrel and a stent mandrel, placing the graft on the dilation mandrel where it is radially expanded, and passing the expanded graft over the stent that is positioned on the stent mandrel.

Abstract: A composite graft for a fluid-carrying vessel in a living body, comprising: an inner vessel comprising a biologic collagenic material that has been stabilized, an outer member surrounding at least a segment of the inner vessel and defining an annulus between the inner vessel and the sleeve, the outer member comprising a polymeric fabric, and a bioactive compound in said annulus, said bioactive compound being carried on a time-release vehicle. The bioactive compound is preferably an occlusion-preventing agent. Alternatively, the sleeve includes the bioactive compound, either on its inner surface or integrally as part of its fibers.