Abstract: A system (1) for delivering a staple (9) to the locus of an artery (2) comprises a delivery conduit (5) for inserting into the lumen of an artery through which conduit a staple can be delivered to the locus, and an elongate element (6) such as a catheter for a balloon (7) for translating axial advancement of the delivery conduit through the artery into movement of the distal end of the delivery conduit away from the longitudinal axis of the artery and towards the artery wall.

Abstract: A stent graft can be held in place on the outside of the thoracic arch by a hypodermic needle tube which passes through a bore of the stent graft and back to the user. A center tube tethered to the stent graft at an end distal to the user is employed to hold the stent graft within the pulsatile blood flow, preventing the stent graft from collapsing during deployment. The position of both the hypodermic needle tube and the center tube can be controlled by the user by a control handle.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: A device for retaining a graft on an artery, comprising a first part for contacting the graft and a second part for contacting the artery when the device is pierced radially through the graft and the artery wall, the first and second parts being connected by a resilient member, wherein the resilient member biases the first and second parts towards each other into a retaining configuration such that in use the artery and the graft are retained together between the first and second parts of the device, and wherein the first and second parts are moveable into an open configuration in which they are further apart than in the retaining configuration to enable the device to be conveyed along an artery.

Abstract: A device is provided for piercing a graft and artery wall in order to retain the graft on the artery. The device has a central section with an abutment surface for contacting the inner wall of the graft and two elongate members with distal ends for contacting the outer wall of the artery when the device is pierced through the graft and artery. The elongate members are biased so as to urge the abutment surface into the graft and retain the graft on the artery.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which is capable of sewing reinforcing wire to tubular grafts in order to form stent grafts. A bobbin (which may be seated in a shuttle) carries a bottom thread through the bore of the tubular graft and forms a stitch in combination with a top thread carried on a needle which pierces the graft wall.

Abstract: A method for testing the pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant 3 comprises placing a resilient insert 4 into the implant and repeatedly expanding and contracting the insert, thereby expanding and contracting the implant. The insert preferably has a cavity therein and is repeatedly expanded and contracted by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity.

Abstract: A stent for occluding the human ductus arteriosus comprises a length of wire of shape memory effect or superelastic material which is expandable from a relatively straightened state for introduction into the patient to an occluding state wherein the wire defines an occluding anchor part and a spiral anchor part and a straight linking part connecting the two wherein the wire has a series of turns extending over the cross-sectional area of the occluding anchor part.

Abstract: A method for stitching thread onto the wall of a tubular medical implant (preferably a graft) employs a sewing machine with an elongate bobbin or a needle on an elongate element, depending on whether it is desired to sew from the outside-in or the inside-out. A motor rotates and translates the implant, which is mounted on a hollow drum, relative to the needle.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided which is capable of sewing reinforcing wire to tubular grafts in order to form stent grafts. A bobbin (which may be seated in a shuttle) carries a bottom thread through the bore of the tubular graft and forms a stitch in combination with a top thread carried on a needle which pierces the graft wall.

Abstract: A graft is provided with a flexible sheet of graft material to which is sewn a reinforcing wire, preferably of shape-memory alloy. Sewing of the wire is carried out while the sheet is substantially planar, thus by conventional embroidery machines. The sheet is subsequently rolled into a tubular shape.

Abstract: An expandable device, e.g. a stent for insertion into a passage, e.g. a blood vessel or artery, is disclosed. The device has a body (20) formed of a flexible material. The body is convertible from a collapsed condition in which it is of a size to be inserted into the passage into an expanded condition in which the body (20) is fixed relative to the passage. A passage (28) is provided within the body so as to extend over at least a region of the latter. An inlet (32) is provided in the body (20) in communication with the passage therein. The inlet (32) enables a rigidifying material to be introduced into the passage (28) in the body (20) so that at least the region of the body (20) in which the passage is provided can be rigidified whereby to maintain the body in its expanded condition.

Abstract: A stent for occluding the human ductus arteriosus comprises a length of wire of shape memory effect or superelastic material which is expandable from a relatively straightened state for introduction into the patient to an occluding state wherein the wire defines an occluding anchor part and a spiral anchor part and a straight linking part connecting the two wherein the wire has a series of turns extending over the cross-sectional area of the occluding anchor part.