Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.

Abstract: A delivery mechanism for an implantable stent which provides a high mechanical advantage to the surgeon and convenient operation so as to facilitate smooth withdrawal of an outer catheter sheath following placement of the stent in the desired location within the patient's vessel. Preferred embodiments include a moving rail actuated by a V-shaped lever, a hydraulic actuator, a rack and pinion drive, and a power screw system. The delivery mechanism has a movable member that is attached to the outer catheter sheath so that actuating the mechanism results in an incremental movement of the moveable member, which in turn results in an incremental movement of the outer catheter sheath. Once the outer catheter sheath is retracted from the stent, the stent is deployed into the patient's vessel and the remaining parts of the mechanism, including an inner tube, an atraumatic tip, and a stabilizing element, are easily removed.

Abstract: A method for forming a self-expanding stent-graft. The method includes coupling a shape memory member to a polymer cladding to form a polymer clad member, winding a length of the polymer clad member about a mandrel so that the polymer cladding has overlapping regions that form seams, and heating the wound polymer clad member to join and seal the overlapping regions to one another.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis including a first polymer member bonded to a second polymer member to selectively encapsulate a stent. Selective bonding between the first and second polymer members results in unbonded regions or pockets that accommodate movement of the stent, permitting compression of the prosthesis using minimal force and enabling collapse of the prosthesis to a low profile. The pockets are believed to encourage enhanced cellular penetration for rapid healing and may contain bioactive substances.

Abstract: A method for making an endoluminal prosthesis for implantation within a body lumen to maintain luminal patency, the prothesis including a support structure, such as a wire member, and a polymer component, such as a polymer cladding. The method may include joining a wire member to a polymer cladding, helically wrapping a length of the joined support wire member and polymer cladding such that adjacent windings of the polymer cladding have overlapping regions, and heating the joined support wire member and polymer cladding above the melt point of the polymer cladding.

Abstract: An inventive flanged graft for end-to-side anastomosis includes a tubular graft member and a flanged section The type and size of the flanged section is determined by various factors such as identity of the receiving artery, position of the arteriotomy on the receiving artery, and luminal diameter of the graft. The graft is preferably anastomosed to the receiving artery using continuous sutures to join the arteriotomy to the peripheral edges flanged section.

Abstract: An endoluminal stent contains a hollow passageway for the circulation of heated and/or cryogenic fluids to recapture a previously implanted shape memory stent. The hollow passageway stent can have one or a plurality of passageways and is configured in a tubular shape with numerous coils, providing an empty tubular lumen through the center of the stent to allow blood flow. The stent is connected to a removable catheter that conducts fluid to the stent. Fluid flow may be regulated by valves incorporated in either the stent and/or the catheter.

Abstract: An implantable intraluminal device having a self-expanding stent encapsulated between a first and second seamless ePTFE tube. The implantable intraluminal device has a reduced first diametric dimension and an expanded second diametric dimension, and is adapted to be modeled to the in vivo profile of a receiving anatomical structure through radial expansion of at least a portion thereof to a third diametric dimension greater than the second diametric dimension.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having a first and second ePTFE tube with a support layer positioned therebetween. The support layer may include a plurality of ring stents or may be a single stent structure. Slits may be cut into the first and/or second ePTFE tube to provide flexibility to the implantable medical device. These slits may be cut in any direction (longitudinally, circumferentially, diagonally, etc.) and may be oriented with respect to the support layer such that a desired degree of flexibility may be attained. The first and second ePTFE tubes may be bonded together through openings in the support layer to produce a partially encapsulated stent device.

Abstract: A method for making an encapsulated stent-graft having an essentially tubular configuration with a central longitudinal lumen and having a first diameter and a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter. The stent-graft may include a self-expanding stent and a first and second tube of biocompatible material between which the stent is positioned. The stent-graft may also include an interlayer member between the first and second tube. The method generally includes applying pressure and heat to a stent-graft assembly to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material around the stent.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluorethylene (“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 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: An endoluminal prosthesis for implantation within a body lumen to maintain luminal patency, including a support structure and a polymer component, which may be in the form of a wire member joined to a polymer cladding. The support structure may be formed of shape memory alloys, which exhibit either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties, or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension such as spring steel, braided stainless steel wire, or composite materials, such as woven or braided carbon fibers. The polymer cladding may be formed from a variety of suitable materials.

Abstract: A high density microwall ePTFE structure and a method for making, involving the manipulation of a standard extruded ePTFE graft. The final product has the desired characteristics of high density, reduced wall-thickness, above-average radial strength and enhanced suture retention.

Abstract: Partially encapsulated stents are made using gaps cut into ePTFE covering material. Ring stents are placed over an inner ePTFE tube (e.g., supported on a mandrel) and are covered by a “lacey” graft sleeve, which is constructed by cutting apertures into an ePTFE tube so that a series of circumferential and longitudinal strips is created. This “lacey” sleeve is then laminated to the inner ePTFE tube to capture the stents. By selecting the size and position of the apertures in the ePTFE covering, it is possible to leave critical parts of the stent unencapsulated to facilitate flexibility and expansion. Alternatively, the gaps can consist of slits cut into the ePTFE covering material. These slits can be cut in any direction including longitudinally, radially, or diagonally. In addition, the slits can be spaced at varying intervals around the covering material to maximize flexibility and expandability.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluorethylene (“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 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: A method and method to ensure the uniform collapse and diminished loading forces of a prosthesis, the prosthesis having at least one layer of biocompatible material. The device includes a way to stabilize the prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis can be incrementally axially rotated, and a way to manipulate the layer of biocompatible material simultaneously at several distinct points along an axis of the prosthesis so that a set of alterations is formed in the biocompatible layer.

Abstract: An inventive flanged graft for end-to-side anastomosis includes a graft with bifurcated flanges. The bifurcated flanges may be symmetrical or asymmetrical relative to one another. The type and size of flange to be used is determined by various factors such as identity of the receiving artery, position of the arteriotomy on the receiving artery, and lumenal diameter of the graft. The graft is preferably anastomosed to the receiving artery using continuous sutures to join the arteriotomy to the peripheral edges of the bifucated flanges. In an alternate embodiment, the inventive bypass graft includes a flared skirt which extends circumferentially about the tubular graft member. The flared skirt has an elliptical shape and is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the graft member.

Abstract: A stent compression method for particular use in pre-surgical securing and conforming of a vascular stent upon an angioplasty balloon. One variation of the stent compression method comprises inflating an agioplasty balloon inside a vascular stent in order to secure the vascular stent upon the balloon; applying uniform compression pressure around the balloon/stent unit; and adjusting the internal balloon pressure and the compression pressure so that the balloon/stent unit is compressed. A pressure chamber with an elastic cylindrical membrane mounted inside the chamber may be used to provide the compression pressure. The inflated balloon provides the balancing pressure from inside the stent. The maintenance of internal balloon pressure during the stent compression process may provide uniform distribution of pressure along the stent and even radial compression rate around the circumferential surface of the stent.