Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: First and second stent-grafts are provided. The first stent-graft defines a first lateral opening, and is configured for positioning a first end thereof in a descending aorta, and a second end thereof in one of the branches of an aortic arch, with the first lateral opening disposed in the aortic arch facing upstream. The second stent-graft includes a second generally tubular support element and a second covering element that partially covers the second support element. The first and the second stent-grafts are configured such that the second stent-graft forms a blood-impervious seal with the first stent-graft around the first lateral opening when the second stent-graft is disposed therethrough such that a proximal portion of the second support element is disposed within the first stent-graft. The second covering element does not fully cover the proximal portion, thereby allowing blood flow through the first stent-graft. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: An endovascular system includes an elongate delivery shaft assembly, which, when a stent-graft is removably constrained in a radially-compressed delivery state along a distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly, is shaped so as to define a self-orienting portion, which is shaped so as to define (a) at least proximal and distal curved portions, the proximal curved portion disposed more proximal than the distal curved portion, and (b) at least one point of inflection on a central longitudinal axis of the delivery shaft assembly longitudinally between the proximal and the distal curved portions. Upon positioning of a distal tip of the system near a bifurcation of a brachiocephalic artery from an aortic arch, the self-orienting portion automatically rotationally orients itself in the aortic arch to a rotational orientation in which an inferior lateral opening of the stent-graft faces upstream in the aortic arch. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64), and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64); and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: A method for treating a subject includes providing an endovascular system that includes a stent-graft and an elongate delivery shaft assembly. When the delivery shaft assembly is unconstrained and the stent-graft is removably constrained along a distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly, the delivery shaft assembly is shaped so as to define a self-orienting portion, which is shaped so as to define at least proximal and distal curved portions. The delivery shaft assembly is transvascularly introduced into a descending aorta of the subject and a distal end of the delivery shaft assembly is advanced to an aortic arch, such that the self-orienting portion assumes a desired rotational orientation in the aortic arch. While the distal end of the delivery shaft assembly is positioned in the aortic arch, the stent-graft is released from the distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a delivery catheter, including a primary stent-graft and a flared endovascular stent-graft, which is configured to initially be positioned in the delivery catheter in a radially-compressed state, and to assume a radially-expanded state upon being deployed from the delivery catheter.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft is provided that includes a flexible stent member and a tubular fluid flow guide. The tubular fluid flow guide includes first and second fabrics. The first fabric includes a first biologically-compatible substantially blood-impervious material, and is attached to and covers the stent member along a first longitudinal portion of the stent-graft. The second fabric includes a second biologically-compatible substantially blood-impervious material different from the first material, and is attached to and covers the stent member along a second longitudinal portion of the stent-graft. The second longitudinal portion is at least partially non-longitudinally-overlapping with the first longitudinal portion. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft system (10) comprises first, second, and third generally tubular stent-grafts (20, 22, 24), which are configured to assume radially-expanded states. The first stent-graft (20) is shaped so as to define a first lateral opening (34) when in its radially-expanded state. The second stent-graft (22) is shaped so as to define a second lateral opening (44) when in its radially-expanded state. The first and second stent-grafts (20, 22) are configured such that the second stent-graft (22) forms a blood-impervious seal with the first stent-graft (20) around the first lateral opening (34) when the second stent-graft (22) is disposed therethrough, and the first and the second stent-grafts (20, 22) are in their radially-expanded states.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis includes a stent-graft and an external coagulation inducer. The stent-graft includes a first portion of structural strut members and a first portion of a graft member, which, when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state, together are shaped so as to define a blood-carrying tubular structure defining a lumen. The external coagulation inducer includes an extra-luminal skirt, which includes a second portion of the structural strut members and a second portion of the graft member, and is configured to assume: (i) when the endovascular prosthesis is removably disposed in a delivery sheath, a radially-compressed delivery state, in which the structural strut members of the first portion do not coincide with the structural stent members of the second portion, and (ii) when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained, a radially-expanded state, in which the extra-luminal skirt extends radially outward from an external surface of the stent-graft.

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft system is provided, which includes a first stent-graft, which is configured to assume radially-expanded and radially-compressed states; and a second stent-graft, which is configured to assume radially-expanded and radially-compressed states. A delivery tool includes an outer tube, in which the first and the second stent-grafts are initially positioned at respective axial sites within the outer tube, in their radially-compressed states without being fixed to each other. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: An endovascular self-curving stent-graft (20) includes a self-curving longitudinal portion (22), which is curved so as to define an innermost curve (26) and an outermost curve (28), when the stent-graft (20) is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state. The stent-graft (20) includes a plurality of circumferential strut members (30); a compression-generation spring (40), which (a) is in an elongated configuration when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-compressed state, and (b) overlaps respective first portions (44) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30); and an anti-buckling spring (50), which overlaps respective second portions (54) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30).

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (10, 110, 210, 310) is provided that includes elastic struts (20) and a fluid flow guide (30) that is fixed to first and second subsets (32, 34) of the struts (20). The struts (20) of the first subset (32) are arranged as circumferential cells (80) in circumferentially-continuous rings (56), which cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define a bulge (42) having a greatest bulge radius from a central longitudinal axis (38) that is at least 5% greater than an average radius of the substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40) proximally and distally adjacent the bulge (42). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) define tip portions (50).

Abstract: A deployment system (10, 410) includes an inner shaft (36, 436), removably disposed in a self-expanding stent-graft (40), and shaped so as to define (a) at least one conduit therealong (50, 450), which is (i) not coaxial with the inner shaft (36, 436), and (ii) shaped so as to define at least first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454), and (b) a restraining longitudinal portion (56, 456) that is longitudinally disposed between the first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64); and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64), and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft system is provided, which includes a first stent-graft, which is configured to assume radially-expanded and radially-compressed states; and a second stent-graft, which is configured to assume radially-expanded and radially-compressed states. A delivery tool includes an outer tube, in which the first and the second stent-grafts are initially positioned at respective axial sites within the outer tube, in their radially-compressed states without being fixed to each other. Other embodiments are also described.