Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis with a device to mitigate or even eliminate Type I endoleaks in AAA stent-graft.

Abstract: A large lumen guide catheter (10) has an elongate tubular body (22), which has an outer surface (24), an inner surface (44), and a braided wire layer between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the wires winding a first helical direction are thicker and wider than the wire winding in a second helical direction opposite the first helical direction.

Abstract: Tubing made of two or more polymers circumferentially arranged around the perimeter of the tubing in a single layer may be useful as medical tubing. Specifically, such tubing may be useful in catheters, sheaths, sheath introducers, implant delivery systems, and other medical devices having elongated tubular components. Selection of the two or more polymers based on the durometer and melting temperature permits optimization of axial strength and flexibility for particular applications. Such tubing may be extruded as a single layer tubing or a multi-layer tubing where the additional layers may be single material layers or more multi-polymer layers.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis with a device to mitigate or even eliminate Type I endoleaks in AAA stent-graft.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes at least one tubular graft section coupled to additional tubular graft sections which are then coupled to a tubular bifurcated main section. Various embodiments described and shown herein allow for a health care provider to design and select an appropriate AAA implant for AAA presentations other than an infrarenal AAA. The implants can also be utilized for other arterial aneurysms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a delivery system for an intraluminal thin film medical device particularly well suited for occlusion of an aneurysm, vessel side branch or dissection of a body lumen or duct, such as an artery or vein. The delivery system has an outer sheath attached along the distal end of a relatively long and flexible tubular shaft. The outer sheath is capable of constraining the thin film medical device in a longitudinally stretched position, and subsequently being retracted relative to the flexible tubular shaft to release the thin film medical device from the constrained longitudinally stretched position. The delivery system may additionally have a mechanical expansion catheter substantially coaxial too, and slideably engaged within, the outer sheath and an inner lumen substantially coaxial to the outer sheath and incorporated into the flexible tubular shaft.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing a guiding device having a dilatable, drilling tip. The tip is formed by wound helical members such that resistance to rotation in an unwinding direction dilates the tip. The helical members are configured so that the dilatable tip increases in stiffness when the helical members are tensioned by a resistance to rotation in the winding direction. In some embodiments, application of relative force between coaxial inner and outer tubular members is used to control the dilation, stiffness and drilling of the guiding member.

Abstract: A catheter system and corresponding methods are provided for accessing a blood vessel true lumen from a sub-intimal plane of the vessel. The catheter includes components that are symmetric about the longitudinal axis and allow for reentry without the need to ensure a correct orientation of the cannula.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes a generally tubular graft, a plurality of independent stent hoops connected to the graft and at least one suture. The at least one suture connects one apex of one stent hoop to two apices of another stent hoop to reduce a predetermined distance between distinct stent hoops so that in a released configuration in a body vessel, the stent-graft is curved away from the longitudinal axis to conform to the body vessel and reduce formation of a gap between one end of the stent-graft with an inner surface of the body vessel.

Abstract: A thin-walled guide wire tube is fixedly and sealably attached to both a proximal section and a distal section of a balloon angioplasty catheter. A stent is co-axially mounted onto the inflatable balloon of the balloon angioplasty catheter. Because the guide wire tube forms an inner liner for the balloon angioplasty catheter, the fluid inflation lumen of the catheter is sealed so the inflation liquid that pressurizes the balloon will not leak as it would be if there were no “inner liner” and the balloon angioplasty catheter were attached to the guide wire itself. By not having a traditional inner shaft through which a conventional guide wire slides, the deflated balloon on which the stent is mounted can have a reduced diameter.

Abstract: A loading device for self-expanding stents that utilizes a rod with a stop on one end, a compressible sleeve that is slidably mounted on the rod and a compressible member slidably mounted on the rod and configured to increase the diameter of the compressible sleeve when forced against it.

Abstract: Various embodiments for an endovascular device (and variations thereof) that prevents focalized edge (or end) restenosis. In particular, these improvements would mitigate or prevent focalized restenosis at the ends of the device. The designed-in restenotic regions would be circumferentially and axially distributed so that graft patency is not compromised.

Abstract: Described are various embodiments of an improved endoprosthesis that includes a generally cylindrical graft portion that extends along a longitudinal axis to define a flow passage and a plurality of stent hoops. The plurality of stent hoops are connected to the graft portion and disposed in a spaced apart relationship along the longitudinal axis. There is at least a first suture disposed along on the outer surface of the main body. The first suture connects at least two of the spaced apart stent hoops together. The first suture also includes unidirectional barbs (or multidirectional barbs) configured to reduce movement of the main body with respect to a direction of blood flow in an artery.

Abstract: The stent of the present invention combines a helical strut band interconnected by coil elements. This structure provides a combination of attributes that are desirable in a stent, such as, for example, substantial flexibility, stability in supporting a vessel lumen, cell size and radial strength. The structure of the stent of the present invention provides a predetermined geometric relationship between the helical strut band and interconnected coil.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for providing a guiding device having a dilatable, drilling tip. The tip is formed by wound helical members such that resistance to rotation in an unwinding direction dilates the tip. The helical members are configured so that the dilatable tip increases in stiffness when the helical members are tensioned by a resistance to rotation in the winding direction. In some embodiments, application of relative force between coaxial inner and outer tubular members is used to control the dilation, stiffness and drilling of the guiding member.

Abstract: A biocompatible material may be configured into any number of implantable medical devices including a vascular closure device. The vascular closure device includes a fibrous structure formed from at least one randomly oriented fiber, the randomly oriented fiber comprising at least one polymer, and at least one agent, in therapeutic dosage, incorporated into at least one of the fibrous structure and the at least one randomly oriented fiber.

Abstract: A method of making a biocompatible, implantable medical device, including a vascular closure device is disclosed. The method includes forming a biocompatible polymer into at least one fiber and randomly orienting the at least one fiber into a fibrous structure having at least one interstitial spaces. Polymeric materials may be utilized to fabricate any of these devices. The polymeric materials may include additives such as drugs or other bioactive agents as well as antibacterial agents. In such instances, at least one agent, in therapeutic dosage, is incorporated into at least one of the fibrous structure and the at least one fiber.

Abstract: A guidewire including a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: A guidewire may include a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.

Abstract: Described are method and device for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. The method includes locating a distal end of a closure device adjacent to the passageway. The closure device may include a closure line with proximal and distal ends, an expandable tissue anchor located along the distal end of the closure line, and an expandable occluder member located along the proximal end of the closure line. The expandable tissue anchor is deployed into tissue adjacent to the passageway. The expandable occluder member is deployed adjacent to the passageway such that the expandable occluder member substantially covers the second opening to the passageway.