Abstract: Described herein is a catheter (10) including a needle (12) arranged for creating a puncture suitable for a TIPS shunt. The catheter can include a flexible catheter body (14) having a proximal and a distal end, the needle (12) being provided at the distal end of the catheter body (14), and an actuator (16) arranged for vibrating the needle, the needle being provided with serrations (18) on its outside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vascular closure device, comprising a self-expanding tubular vascular closure element, a retaining element surrounding the vascular closure element, the retaining element being arranged to hold the vascular closure element in the lumen of the retaining element in a configuration where the vascular closure element is not fully self-expanded, a tether that is threaded through the lumen of the retaining element, the tether being arranged so that, upon application of a first force to the tether which is greater than a threshold force, the tether disintegrates the retaining element so as to allow the vascular closure element to freely expand. It also relates to a system for delivering such a vascular closure device and to a method of closing a vascular access hole using a corresponding device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for deploying an implant, optionally a TIPS stent graft, the system comprising a handle, a catheter extending from the handle, the catheter being arranged for holding an implant at an implant holding portion at a distal end of the catheter, an implant retaining sheath, the implant retaining sheath being arranged so as to surround the implant holding portion so as to retain an implant that is arranged at the implant holding portion, a pull tab, the pull tab being connected to the implant retaining sheath so that a proximal pull on the pull tab pulls back the implant retaining sheath so as to release an implant arranged at the implant holding portion, the pull tab further comprising a engagement feature that is arranged on the pull tab and that is moved proximally as the pull tab is moved proximally, the engagement feature being arranged to engage with a first interference feature arranged at a first fixed longitudinal position on the system for deploying the implant, wherein a

Abstract: The present invention relates to a puncture device for creating a TIPS shunt, comprising a puncture needle, a sheath, the sheath being arranged to surround the puncture needle, the puncture needle being slidably arranged inside the sheath so that the puncture needle can be moved between a first position in which the puncture needle protrudes beyond the distal end of the sheath and a second position where a tip of the puncture needle is retracted into the sheath, the sheath and the puncture needle being arranged so that in the second position, blood can be aspirated into the sheath through a gap between the puncture needle and the sheath, a locking means, the locking means being arranged for releasably locking the puncture needle in the first and/or the second position.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis designed to transition from a contracted state to an expanded state, including a continuous tubular helical winding and a plurality of bridges. The helical winding includes a plurality of circumferential sections spaced apart along a helical axis, each of the plurality of circumferential sections forming a non-orthogonal helical angle relative to the helical axis. The plurality of bridges connect adjacent circumferential sections, each having a length extending from a first end to a second end on a plane orthogonal to the helical axis, the length being equal to a circumferential offset between the adjacent circumferential sections in both the contracted state and the expanded state. The implantable prosthesis also includes a first annular ring orthogonal to the helical axis, and a first marker having a first end connected to the first annular ring, and a second end coupled to the first end of the helical winding.

Abstract: A stent that has a reduced state, an expanded state, and a delivery state, includes helical windings, a bridge, and a sacrificial bridge. The helical windings define a cylinder with a helical axis including a strut having a straight portion connected to a curved portion, wherein the straight portion aligns with the helical axis. The bridge connects adjacent windings. The sacrificial bridge connects adjacent windings and is configured for removal in the expanded state.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper including proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding and at least one bridge. The continuous helical winding has a plurality of circumferential sections that circumscribe a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a tube. The circumferential sections are spaced apart along the axis. The at least one bridge is configured to connect one circumferential section to an axially-spaced adjacent circumferential section. The at least one bridge extends on a plane generally orthogonal with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A stent includes a series of helical windings defining an outer circumference of a cylinder. The helical windings include a plurality of struts having straight portions connected by curved portions. The straight portions may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stent when the stent is in a reduced state. A plurality of bridges connect adjacent windings. The bridges may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent in the reduced state. A plurality of radiopaque members extend from a terminal helical winding. The radiopaque members include an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion may have a first width and the end portion may have a second width greater than the first width. The end portion may include an extreme end substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A medical implant such as a self-expanding shape memory alloy stent with a strut matrix formed by cut patterns in a wall of a tubular workpiece can be enhanced by arranging for the line of the laser beam when cutting the struts to be one that does not pass through the longitudinal rotational axis of the tubular workpiece. Such “off-axis” cutting can modify the cross-sectional shape and area of each strut, along its length. Such modulation can enhance the fatigue resistance of the stent matrix, or increase the radial force that the stent matrix is capable of exerting on bodily tissue within which it is implanted.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A stent that has a reduced state, an expanded state, and a delivery state, includes helical windings, a bridge, and a sacrificial bridge. The helical windings define a cylinder with a helical axis including a strut having a straight portion connected to a curved portion, wherein the straight portion aligns with the helical axis. The bridge connects adjacent windings. The sacrificial bridge connects adjacent windings and is configured for removal in the expanded state.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element comprises a pusher-guider tube having a wall thickness with a plurality of discrete slits, the slits extending through the wall thickness of the pusher-guider tube.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper including proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

Abstract: A catheter device having a shaft that extends from a proximal end to a distal end to carry on its distal end a self-expanding implant for intraluminal advance on a guidewire and delivery of the implant to an implant site by proximal withdrawal of a sheath that lies radially outside the implant in the catheter, the catheter including a first shaft element to pull the sheath proximally and a second shaft element to push the implant distally to prevent the implant moving proximally with the sheath when the sheath is pulled proximally, wherein the second shaft element carries a stopper for abutting the implant, the stopper including proximal and distal portions having different radiopacities.

Abstract: A stent includes a series of helical windings defining an outer circumference of a cylinder. The helical windings include a plurality of struts having straight portions connected by curved portions. The straight portions may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stent when the stent is in a reduced state. A plurality of bridges connect adjacent windings. The bridges may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent in the reduced state. A plurality of radiopaque members extend from a terminal helical winding. The radiopaque members include an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion may have a first width and the end portion may have a second width greater than the first width. The end portion may include an extreme end substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding and at least one bridge. The continuous helical winding has a plurality of circumferential sections that circumscribe a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a tube. The circumferential sections are spaced apart along the axis. The at least one bridge is configured to connect one circumferential section to an axially-spaced adjacent circumferential section. The at least one bridge extends on a plane generally orthogonal with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A stent includes a series of helical windings defining an outer circumference of a cylinder. The helical windings include a plurality of struts having straight portions connected by curved portions. The straight portions may be substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the stent when the stent is in a reduced state. A plurality of bridges connect adjacent windings. The bridges may be substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent in the reduced state. A plurality of radiopaque members extend from a terminal helical winding. The radiopaque members include an extension portion and an end portion. The extension portion may have a first width and the end portion may have a second width greater than the first width. The end portion may include an extreme end substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant, and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form-fit of the element onto the implant.