Abstract: Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of treating an aneurysm by deploying an implantable graft assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is an implantable graft assembly comprising a graft secured to a expandable tubular frame, the graft only partially covering the frame and the use of the graft assembly in treating an aneurysm, especially a cerebral aneurysm. Disclosed is also a method of treating an aneurysm by deploying an implantable graft assembly. Disclosed is also the use of serous tissue for the preparation of a cerebrovascular implant, especially as a graft, especially as a component of a cerebrovascular implantable graft assembly.

Abstract: A bifurcated stent assembly using a flexible membrane, preferably a tubular membrane, as a stent connector to bendably hold and functionally associate two or more component stents is disclosed. The flexible stent connector allows the relative orientation of the two stents to be varied with no deformation of the component stents. In preferred embodiments, the stent connector is configured to provide support in the vicinity of the bifurcation point of a vessel in which deployed.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sterile packaging for medical devices or components where the medical device or component (e.g., a stent) is protected, at least in part with a sheath or the like configured to maintain a protective fluid about a portion of the device or component. The sheath preferably has one or more ports to add fluid to or withdraw fluid from the interior of the protective sheath.

Abstract: A covered stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent having a metallic framework covered with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic framework is positioned coaxially within a cylinder of bovine pericardial tissue. A catheter may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in the lumen of a patient. The metallic framework is then expanded to seat the assembly within the lumen.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.

Abstract: A stent for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen has a tubular body with at least one cover connector integrally formed on the tubular body.