Abstract: Methods and medical apparatus for deployment within an anatomical blood vessel. The medical apparatuses comprising: a first tubular wall, a second tubular wall, within the first tubular wall, and a constricting element configured to constrict a circumference of a portion of the second tubular wall; the combination of the first tubular wall, the second tubular wall and the constricting element forms a diametrical reducer.

Abstract: Methods and medical apparatus for deployment within an anatomical blood vessel. The medical apparatuses comprising: a first tubular wall, a second tubular wall, within the first tubular wall, and a constricting element configured to constrict a circumference of a portion of the second tubular wall; the combination of the first tubular wall, the second tubular wall and the constricting element forms a diametrical reducer.

Abstract: A joining arrangement between a main tube and a side arm (5) in a side arm stent graft (1). The side arm (5) is stitched into an aperture (11) in the main tube and is in fluid communication with it. The aperture is triangular, elliptical or rectangular and the side arm is cut off at an angle to leave an end portion having a circumferential length equal to the circumference of the aperture. The side arm can also include a connection socket (76) comprising a first resilient ring (79) around the arm at its end, a second resilient ring (80) spaced apart along the arm from the first ring and a zig zag resilient stent (82) between the first and second rings. The zig-zag resilient stent can be a compression stent. Both the main tube and the side arm are formed from seamless tubular biocompatible graft material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraluminal vessel prosthesis system for implantation in the region of the aortic arch of a patient, comprising a hollow cylindrical main vessel prosthesis, wherein the hollow cylindrical main vessel prosthesis is configured and dimensioned for implantation in the region of the artic arch and the descending aorta (Aorta descendens) of the patient and wherein the main vessel prosthesis, at least over part of the length L2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis, and wherein the diameter D2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis is at least 45% smaller than the diameter D1 of the main vessel prosthesis and wherein the length L2 of the anchoring vessel prosthesis is shorter than the length L2 of the main vessel prosthesis.

Abstract: The devices and methods described herein include an implantable body lumen fluid flow modulator including an upstream flow accelerator separated by a gap from a downstream flow decelerator. The gap is a pathway to entrain additional fluid from a branch lumen(s) into the fluid stream flowing from the upstream flow accelerator to the downstream flow decelerator.

Abstract: Provided herein is an occlusion device for intrasaccular implantation and/or vascular occlusion comprising: (a) a substantially solid marker having a proximal end, and a distal end; and (b) a low profile resilient mesh body attached to the distal end of the marker, the body having a delivery shape and a deployed shape capable of conforming to aneurysm walls; wherein the body has a diameter greater than a diameter of an aneurysm to be treated. Also provided herein is a kit comprising the occlusion device disclosed herein and a means for delivery thereof. Methods of manufacture and use of the occlusion device disclosed herein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve to perform lung volume reduction procedures is described. The valve is formed of a braided structure that is adapted for endoscopic insertion in a bronchial passage of a patient's lung. The braided structure has a proximal end and a distal end and is covered with a non porous coating adapted to prevent flow of air into the. A constricted portion of the braided structure is used to prevent flow of air through a central lumen of the structure, and to define at least one funnel shaped portion. The funnel shaped portion blocks the flow of air towards the constriction, i.e. towards the core of the lung. At least one hole is formed in the braided structure to permit flow of mucus from the distal end to the proximal end, to be expelled out of the lungs.

Abstract: A valve to perform lung volume reduction procedures is described. The valve is formed of a braided structure that is adapted for endoscopic insertion in a bronchial passage of a patient's lung. The braided structure has a proximal end and a distal end and is covered with a non porous coating adapted to prevent flow of air into the. A constricted portion of the braided structure is used to prevent flow of air through a central lumen of the structure, and to define at least one funnel shaped portion. The funnel shaped portion blocks the flow of air towards the constriction, i.e. towards the core of the lung. At least one hole is formed in the braided structure to permit flow of mucus from the distal end to the proximal end, to be expelled out of the lungs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses of stents with likely reduced rates of tissue perforation are provided. Some embodiments include reducing the profile of a portion of the stent using a wire profile reduction electropolishing bath and/or other wire profile reduction means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue-supporting medical devices and drug delivery systems, and more particularly to tubular flexible stents that are implanted within a body lumen of a living animal or human to support the organ, maintain patency and/or deliver drugs or agents. The tubular flexible stent has a cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis and includes a helical section having of a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form a band. The band is wrapped about the longitudinal axis in a substantially helical manner to form a plurality of helical windings. At least one connector member extends between longitudinally adjacent helical windings of the band.

Abstract: A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel having a cross sectional dimension, the flow reducing implant comprising a hollow element adapted for placement in the blood vessel defining a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage comprising at least two sections, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter, wherein said smaller diameter is smaller than a cross section of the blood vessel. A plurality of tabs anchor, generally parallel to the blood vessel wall, are provided in some embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic conduit (1) for use during surgery on the aorta of a patient. The conduit includes an elongate tubular portion (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (11) between a first conduit terminal end (12) and a second conduit terminal end (13). The first conduit terminal end (12) is configured with two substantially U-shaped tongues (21, 22) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (21, 22) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped bicuspid valve annulus. The second conduit terminal end (13) is configured with three substantially U-shaped tongues (31, 32, 33) extending away from the tubular portion (10) generally along the longitudinal axis (11). Each of the tongues (31, 32, 33) is appropriately sized to together collectively approximate the shape of the scalloped tricuspid valve annulus.

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 two valve caval stent for functional replacement of an incompetent tricuspid valve. The device is designed for minimally invasive percutaneous transcatheter placement and includes two stents connected by a bridge sized to span the right atrium, and two valves anchored by the stents in the superior and inferior vena cavas. Each of the valves optionally has a conical shape divided by supporting struts into three cusps that simulate the action of a native tricuspid valve.

Abstract: A medical implant for the expansion and support of a body vessel is formed as elongate struts in a shape of a tube. The struts are plastically deformable at least in sections so that the implant remains permanently expanded in the radial direction transversely to a longitudinal axis of the struts in the expanded state. A course of the expandable element has a plurality of direction changes with respect to the longitudinal axis. The expandable element has a constriction point in the contracted state designed as an intended breaking point for the expandable element. The constriction point breaks upon application of excessive force applied in the radial direction preventing further expansion of the expandable element.

Abstract: A stent for use in a medical procedure having opposing sets of curved apices, where the curved section of one set of apices has a radius of curvature that is greater than the curved section of the other set of apices. One or more such stents may be attached to a graft material for use in endovascular treatment of, for example, aneurysm, thoracic dissection, or other body vessel condition.

Abstract: A cannulation system for cardiac support uses an inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula. The outer cannula includes a fluid inlet for placement within the right atrium of a heart. The inner cannula includes a fluid inlet extending through the fluid inlet of the outer cannula and the atrial septum for placement within at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The cannulation system also employs a pumping assembly coupled to the inner and outer cannulas to withdraw blood from the right atrium for delivery to the pulmonary artery to provide right heart support, or to withdraw blood from at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle for delivery into the aorta to provide left heart support, or both.

Abstract: A flexible stent and method for performing a stent within a lumen proximate to a target area is provided. The stent includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, where at least a portion of the tubular member is capable of being positioned proximate to the target area. The stent also includes a plurality of stabilization members defined circumferentially about at least a portion of the tubular member, wherein each stabilization member extends inwardly to define an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the tubular member within the tubular member. As a result, the stabilization members are capable of reducing migration of the stent within the lumen and the incident of infolding of the tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for repairing an aneurysm comprises a device having an inner graft tube and an inflatable outer balloon attached to an outer surface of the inner graft tube, and an inflatable deployment balloon. The inner graft tube is expandable within an artery to form a seal with the arterial wall above and/or below an aneurysm. The outer balloon is inflatable within the aneurysm with a rapidly settable substance to fill the aneurysm and support the device. The deployment balloon has an uninflated condition to fit within the inner graft tube and is inflatable within the inner graft tube to expand the inner graft tube within the artery and to maintain the inner graft tube expanded within the artery during inflation of the outer balloon.

Abstract: Described is a prosthetic valve assembly comprising: a radially self-expandable stent configured to expand to bear against a wall of a native body lumen; and an implantable prosthetic valve, having a diameter, the valve being mounted inside the stent; wherein the diameter of the stent is greater than the diameter of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A bypass device for influencing blood pressure, including an implant with a volumetric chamber, having a connector or connecting means for connecting the volumetric chamber to a natural cardiovascular system, and having an adaptor or adaptation means, by which a change in volume of a volume of the volumetric chamber is enabled or effected upon a pressure change in the cardiovascular system or in the volumetric chamber. According to this invention, a change in volume in a lower pressure range between 50 mmHg and a pressure threshold value amounting to at least 100 mmHg amounts to at most 10 cm3, and in an upper pressure range between the pressure threshold value and 150 mmHg amounts to at least 10 cm3. With the device according to this invention, high blood pressure can be reduced in a carefully directed way.

Abstract: A method of making a replacement heart valve device whereby a fragment of biocompatible tissue material is treated and soaked in one or more alcohol solutions and a solution of glutaraldehyde. The dried biocompatible tissue material is folded and rehydrated in such a way that forms a two- or three-leaflet/cusp valve without affixing of separate cusps or leaflets or cutting slits into the biocompatible tissue material to form the cusps or leaflets. After the biocompatible tissue material is folded, it is affixed at one or more points on the outer surface to the inner cavity or a stent.

Abstract: A bridging device for supporting occlusive masses within an aneurysm located at a vascular bifurcation.

Abstract: A stent/stent graft for reinforcement of vascular abnormalities and an associated method are provided. According to on embodiment, the stent/stent graft includes a flexible tubular structure comprising proximal and distal ends and having a heat set configuration. The tubular structure is configured to engage a lumen upstream and downstream of a vascular abnormality, such as an aneurysm, and a portion between the proximal and distal ends of the tubular structure is configured to engage the aneurysm.

Abstract: A woven aortic sinus prosthesis has a first substantially cylindrical section position away from a patient's heart, which optionally passes into an aortic arch of the patient, a second section having a greater diameter than the first section and forming a bulb, which second section is connected to the first section, and optionally a third substantially cylindrical section close to the heart, which is connected to the bulb section, wherein the prosthesis is continuously woven and has a constant number of warp yarns over its axial length, whereby there is a greater distance between the warp yarns in a region of the bulb section than in the first and third cylindrical sections.

Abstract: A luminal endoprosthesis for treating aneurysms, particularly aneurysms located at an arterial bifurcation. One feature of the endoprosthesis is a tubular armature that can expand radially from a compressed state to an expanded state. A further feature of the endoprosthesis, when in the expanded state, is a lenticular head whom axis coincides with that of the tubular armature, and which can be inserted into an aneurysm pocket. A method of manufacturing such an endoprosthesis is also described.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system deployable in a region of a patient's vasculature having one or more branch vessels, having a main graft body having a first opening in a wall portion of the main graft body and a pre-loaded guidewire positioned inside the main graft body and advanced through the first opening. One or more branch grafts can be attached to the main graft body to cover one or more openings in the main graft body.

Abstract: A valve with a structural member and valve leaflets that provide a sinus.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a cardiovascular disease, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, an arrhythmia, or heart failure. One step of the method includes providing an apparatus. The apparatus includes an expandable support member having oppositely disposed proximal and distal end portions and a main body portion extending between the end portions. The proximal end portion includes a plurality of wing members extending from the main body portion. At least a portion of the expandable support member is treated with at least one therapeutic agent for eluting into a blood vessel. The expandable support member is inserted into the pulmonary vasculature and then advanced to a bifurcation in the pulmonary vasculature. The bifurcation includes the intersection of a first pulmonary vessel, a second pulmonary vessel, and a third pulmonary vessel. The expandable support member is secured at the bifurcation to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, for example.

Abstract: A medical implant, having a proximal and a distal end, that is preformed to assume a superimposed structure at an implantation site but can be made to take on a volume-reduced form making it possible to introduce it by means of a micro-catheter and a guide wire arranged at the proximal end, with the implant in its superimposed structure assuming the form of a longitudinally open tube and having a mesh structure of interconnected strings or filaments. The implant has a tapering structure at its proximal end where the strings or filaments converge at a connection point.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to expandable medical implants for maintaining support of a body lumen and, in particular, to an axially nested, diametrically expandable, slide and lock vascular device for enlarging an occluded portion of a vessel. The axially nested vascular device desirably achieves both competitive crossing profiles while maintaining other key features, such as, for example, radial strength and luminal patency. The collapsed profile can also be made very thin without compromising radial strength. Thus, the vascular device can advantageously be deployed in small and difficult to reach areas or vessels. The axial nesting substantially eliminates radial overlap between mating structural elements thereby desirably allowing for a low, uniform profile.

Abstract: A cannulation system for cardiac support uses an inner cannula disposed within an outer cannula. The outer cannula includes a fluid inlet for placement within the right atrium of a heart. The inner cannula includes a fluid inlet extending through the fluid inlet of the outer cannula and the atrial septum for placement within at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart. The cannulation system also employs a pumping assembly coupled to the inner and outer cannulas to withdraw blood from the right atrium for delivery to the pulmonary artery to provide right heart support, or to withdraw blood from at least one of the left atrium and left ventricle for delivery into the aorta to provide left heart support, or both.

Abstract: The present invention, in an exemplary embodiment, provides a therapeutic medical appliance, delivery device and method of use. In particular, plug therapeutic medical appliances are provided that allow for the interventional treatment of pulmonary disorders such as defects characterized by pulmonary blebs and/or diffused destructive parenchymal disease. The plug therapeutic medical appliances themselves combine many of the excellent characteristics of both silicone and metal therapeutic medical appliances while eliminating the undesirable ones. In particular, these therapeutic medical appliances are preferably self-expanding in nature and allow the predetermined differential selection of relative hardness/softness of regions of the therapeutic medical appliance to provide additional patient comfort. An exemplary embodiment also provides a family of delivery devices that facilitate flexibility, durability and/or proper installation of one or more medical appliances in a single procedure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the endoluminal positioning of an intraluminal prosthesis at a target location within a body lumen. The device may comprise a porous, multi-layer prosthesis that can include several different tubular mesh components such as an everted tubular component, an tubular component that expands to various different sizes, a bifurcated tubular component, and a tubular component with an undulating expanded shape, among others. Various components can have different densities or pore sizes and can be overlaid on each other to selectively block different regions of a vessel.

Abstract: An expandable stent is implanted in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen for treating an area of vulnerable plaque. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. A central section is positioned between distal and proximal sections and is aligned with the area of vulnerable plaque to enhance growth of endothelial cells over the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque to reinforce the area and reduce the likelihood of rupture.

Abstract: A stent having a transitional section positioned between a middle section with different struts lengths and circumferentially non-aligned peaks, and a symmetrical section that has equal strut lengths and circumferentially aligned peaks.

Abstract: Lumen support devices and methods of their use are provided. A lumen support includes one or more plastically deformable cells having two stable configurations with no stable configurations between the two stable configurations. The lumen support device may be plastically deformed to other stable configurations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical implant in the form of an elongated helix wherein at least one part of the helix is preformed in such a manner that it has a secondary structure of identically sized loops which it assumes during implantation at the placement site, with said structure in turn forming at the placement site during implantation a polyhedral tertiary structure, and the polyhedron being provided with at least one additional loop.

Abstract: A stent has a plurality of expansion columns that extend in a radial direction to form a circumference of the stent and interconnected in the axial direction to form an overall axial length of the stent. Each expansion column has a plurality of first cells and a plurality of second cells that alternates along the expansion column with at least one first cell. Each first cell has at least two facing walls extending in the radial direction that have a first width. The second cells each have at least two facing walls that extend in the radial direction which have a second with greater than the first width. The first cell uses less force to open than the second cell, but upon opening provides increased radial strength by creating a substantially vertical cell wall.

Abstract: Described herein are flexible implantable devices or stents that can conform to the shape of vessels of the neurovasculature. In some embodiments, the devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. In some embodiments, a vascular remodeling device includes a first section and a protruding section. During deployment, the device expands from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration. The first section anchors the device in an afferent vessel and/or in an efferent vessel of a bifurcation and the protruding section is positioned in the junction of the bifurcation having an aneurysm and across the neck of the aneurysm or at least partially within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A graft useable with a blood flow device that allows the use of a single blood flow device to simultaneously provide blood flow to the systemic and pulmonary circulations. The graft has a tubular inlet portion coupleable to the outlet of the blood-flow assist device and configured to receive blood flow therethrough. A tubular systemic portion is connected to the inlet portion and configured to be connected to the systemic circulation of the patient to direct the first portion of the blood flow into the systemic circulation at a first flow rate. The graft has a tubular pulmonary portion connected to the inlet portion and configured to be connected to the pulmonary circulation of the patient to direct a second portion of the blood flow into the pulmonary circulation substantially simultaneous with delivery of the first portion of the blood flow into the systemic circulation.

Abstract: A stent for insertion in a fluid conduit of a human or animal body when the stent is in a collapsed condition and for expansion to an expanded condition, includes an outer wall for engagement with the conduit. The outer wall has a helical portion which in the expanded condition extends longitudinally and circumferentially, and which, upon expansion of the stent from the collapsed condition to the expanded condition, resists extension.

Abstract: A heart valve prosthesis is provided having a self-expanding multi-level frame that supports a valve body comprising a skirt and plurality of coapting leaflets. The frame transitions between a contracted delivery configuration that enables percutaneous transluminal delivery, and an expanded deployed configuration having an asymmetric hourglass shape. The valve body skirt and leaflets are constructed so that the center of coaptation may be selected to reduce horizontal forces applied to the commissures of the valve, and to efficiently distribute and transmit forces along the leaflets and to the frame. Alternatively, the valve body may be used as a surgically implantable replacement valve prosthesis.

Abstract: A catheter for collecting fluid such as blood from a vessel such as a coronary sinus of a patient has an elongated, flexible tubular portion and an annular sealing member spaced from a distal end of the tubular member. A proximal end of the tubular member is adapted to be connected to a source of suction for applying suction to a collection lumen of the tubular member. The distal end is placed in a blood vessel with the sealing member spaced from opposing surface of the vessel in an absence of a suction applied to the collection lumen. Suction is applied to the collection lumen in an amount sufficient to draw blood from the vessel through the fluid inlet and into the collection lumen and further sufficient to urge the opposing surface of the vessel to migrate into sealing engagement with the sealing member.

Abstract: A medical device which defines a lumen for flowing a bodily fluid from an upstream end of the device to a downstream end thereof is disclosed. The device has a luminal wall (14) that extends between the upstream and downstream ends and defines the lumen within which the fluid flows. The wall exhibits a succession of protuberances spaced from each other along the length of the device. Each protuberance has a flank facing upstream (54) and a flank facing downstream (64), the flank facing upstream extending into the fluid flow so that a radially outermost part of the flow of fluid from the upstream to the downstream end of the device impinges on the upstream flank and is thereby caused to reverse its flow, and flow upstream from the upstream flank to the downstream flank of the next adjacent protuberance upstream, creating micro-vortices between two adjacent protuberances.

Abstract: Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a support frame having struts and a weakened frame portion, and a remodelable material tensionably attached to the support frame. The weakened frame portion has a first configuration in which the support frame has a first outward radial force and a second configuration in which the support frame has a second, lesser outward radial force. The remodelable material restricts expansion of the frame from a radially compressed configuration to a radially expanded configuration when the weakened frame portion is in the first configuration. The remodelable material can form one or more valve leaflets adapted to regulate fluid flow in a body vessel, such as a vein.

Abstract: An implantable endoluminal prosthesis for replacing a damaged aortic valve is provided. In one embodiment, the prosthesis includes a balloon-expandable stent, a tubular conduit that extends into the ascending aorta, and a self-expanding stent. The tubular conduit extends across the balloon-expandable stent. The tubular conduit includes an artificial valve. The self-expanding stent extends across the tubular conduit into the ascending aorta. The balloon-expandable stent, the tubular conduit, and the self-expanding stent are coupled to provide unidirectional flow of fluid into the aorta and further into the coronary arteries. Also provided is a method for implanting the endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: Devices for assessing the size, shape, and topography of vessel lumens and hollow portions of organs are described. The devices are particularly adapted for determining the size, shape, topography, and compliance of the native heart valves to facilitate the later implantation of a prosthetic heart valve. The devices are typically catheter-based having an assessment mechanism fixed to a distal end of the catheter. The assessment mechanism generally includes an expandable member, such as a balloon. The assessment mechanism may also include an imaging member, a physical assessment member, an electronic mapping construction, an alignment mechanism, a valvuloplasty balloon, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A tubular endoprosthesis including a polymeric material is disclosed. The endoprosthesis has a collapsed position that can be reverted to a first expanded position larger than the collapsed position by heating to a first temperature subsequent to insertion of the endoprosthesis into a cavity or lumen in a mammal. The endoprosthesis can be further expanded to a second expanded position within the cavity or lumen.

Abstract: A generally tubular, cylindrical stent prosthesis has an unexpanded delivery configuration and an expanded configuration for contacting the vessel wall. The stent prosthesis has a plurality of adjacent stent struts, each stent strut having a wavelike or sinusoidal pattern of straight segments and crowns. A Y-shaped member is attached to one or more crowns to cause the crowns to flare outwardly at an angle from the cylindrical stent body when the stent is expanded. Upon expansion of the stent, the crown(s) having Y-shaped members attached thereto are angled with respect to the longitudinal axis and radially flare from the cylindrical stent body. The flared crowns anchor the stent within the vessel by protruding into the vessel wall and/or seating the stent within an ostium.