Abstract: The present invention relates to a biomedical implant for use in a fluid shear stress environment of a subject. The biomedical implant of the present invention includes a patterned surface having a plurality of cellular niches. The cellular niches of the patterned surface are effective to maintain at least one localized layer of living cells within the plurality of cellular niches by decreasing fluid shear stress within the cellular niches as compared to fluid shear stress measured outside of the cellular niches, with the fluid shear stress measured outside of the cellular niches having a peak fluid shear stress of at least about 50 dynes per square centimeter (dynes/cm2). The present invention also relates to methods of making and using the biomedical implant. The present invention further relates to a biomedical implant system.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are described. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an elongated hollow body formed of a polymeric matrix containing one or more regions of a pre-determined weight percent of carbon nanotubes in general alignment in a pre-determined orientation. The medical device can have a compressed state with a first transverse dimension and an expanded state with a second relatively greater transverse dimension.

Abstract: Novel devices and methods for implanting medical stents are provided. A novel apparatus, which may be in a first compressed position, may be inserted into the artery, such as by being positioned over a catheter. The apparatus may be expanded to a second position. In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured to expand away in two substantially opposing directions along a second axis away from the longitudinal axis. The second axis may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The apparatus may include markers that are detectable to determine the orientation of the catheter or the apparatus and/or assist in the determination of the type or size of stent to utilize.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The stent has a front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.

Abstract: Prosthetic valves and their component parts are described, as are prosthetic valve delivery devices and methods for their use. The prosthetic valves are particularly adapted for use in percutaneous aortic valve replacement procedures. The delivery devices are particularly adapted for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The stent has a front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a textile vascular prosthesis (1) with a circulatory pleating formed by folds (4), and with an arch-shaped longitudinal flexion (2) extending over at least a partial section and formed by asymmetric shortening gathering of the prosthesis wall by means of at least one longitudinal seam (7) extending along the partial section. The at least one longitudinal seam gathers the prosthesis wall while preserving the accordion-like structure (4) and the compacted state of the pleating (4) in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for introducing a helical formation (11) into a flexible tubular material (12). The material (12) is supported together with a surrounding helical former (13) so as to deform the material (12) to have a helical indentation (11) corresponding to the shape of the former (13). The material (12) is then set in that configuration and the former (13) is removed.

Abstract: A vascular graft includes a vessel structure having outer and inner wall surfaces. The vessel structure has outer and inner transverse dimensions. The vascular graft includes a fold structure which is integral with the vessel structure. The fold structure extends from the outer or inner wall surface of the vessel structure for altering the inner or outer transverse dimension thereof. A method for making the vascular graft facilitates formation of the fold structure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a stent graft for insertion into a body vessel of a patient, the stent graft includes a hollow substantially cylindrical radially expandable stent having a body, two open ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The body of the stent is made from a plurality of interconnected struts. The stent graft further includes a graft member attached to the body of the stent, wherein the graft member having a plurality of substantially longitudinally directed pleats disposed thereon. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the graft further includes a plurality of radially oriented pleat interruptions disposed thereon.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a stent graft prosthesis (1) onto a deployment device (2) with a retention arrangement (3) which includes retention at a number of points of the circumference of the proximal end of the stent graft prosthesis (1). The arrangement provides a greater circumferential distance (13) between two adjacent retention points (9) then other of the points. When the deployment device is deployed in a curved lumen such as the thoracic arch it is oriented so that the greater circumferential distance (13) is on the inner side of the curve.

Abstract: A prosthesis configured for establishing a fluid flow path through an artery or the like includes a generally cylindrical body portion formed from graft material. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the device, at least a portion of the graft material is profiled where the profile defines a geometric pattern, e.g. a series of Z pleats.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient, and for customizing one or more attributes of a stent ex situ as an at-least-roughly contemporaneous response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient or for customizing one or more junctions of a stent ex situ in response to the received parameter relating to the specific patient.

Abstract: A stent 1 comprising a sheet 2 of biocompatible material arranged as a tube and having a pattern of folds allowing the stent to be collapsed for deployment. The pattern of folds comprises a unit cell repeated over the sheet 2. A variety of different unit cells 3 are described. The pattern of folds may progress helically around the tube which assists in implantation by synchronising deployment. The stent 1 prevents restenosis because it is formed of a continuous sheet 2, and allows slippage to be minimised.

Abstract: The present invention embodies an adjustable customized graft for placement within body lumens. The adjustable graft includes longitudinal and lateral pleats that can be individually released to thereby customize the length and lateral profile of the graft. A tubular jacket configured with access holes to the pleats is provided for delivering the adjustable graft within vasculature of the patient.

Abstract: A polymer vapor deposition process is used to form a flexible thin-walled endoluminal graft membrane. The endoluminal graft membrane is easily radially compressed in an organized manner in combination with a stent. The endoluminal graft membrane is formed with a plurality of semi-collapsed legs and each semi-collapsed leg includes a plurality of preformed folds.

Abstract: A stent-graft for insertion into a body vessel of a patient includes a hollow substantially cylindrical radially expandable stent having a body, two open ends and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The body of the stent is made from a plurality of interconnected struts. The stent-graft further includes a graft member attached to the body of the stent, wherein the graft member has a plurality of substantially longitudinally directed pleats disposed thereon. The graft further includes a plurality of radially oriented pleat interruptions disposed thereon.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic conduit for replacing a root portion of an aorta is provided. The conduit comprises a first tubular portion and a second tubular portion which are connected together along a substantially common axis. The second tubular portion does not substantially deform in a longitudinal direction and has resilient means which allow said second portion to be expandable in a lateral direction. This second portion is able to deform laterally to mimic the function of the sinuses of Valsalva. The method of manufacturing such a conduit comprises the steps of: a) providing a first tubular conduit suitable for use in heart surgery and having a longitudinal axis and first resilient means allowing some expansion in the longitudinal direction only; b) securing to one of the ends of this first conduit a second tubular conduit suitable for use in heart surgery, this second conduit having second resilient means which allows some expansion in the lateral direction only.