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: 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 system (10) includes an endovascular implant (20) and a delivery tool (30). The implant (20) is configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery state, and a radially-expanded deployment state. The delivery tool (30) includes a proximal main delivery catheter (36), having a distal portion (46) in which the implant (20) is disposed while in the radially-compressed delivery state; and a distal restraining assembly (50), which includes a restraining-assembly tubular shaft (52) disposed distal to the proximal main delivery catheter (36). The distal restraining assembly (50) is configured to assume an engaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) prevents proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50), and a disengaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) allows proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft is provided that includes a structural member, which includes structural stent elements, at least a portion of which define a stent body when the stent-graft assumes a radially-expanded state; and a fluid flow guide. When the stent-graft assumes the radially-expanded state, (a) a first subset of the structural stent elements are configured to cause the stent body and the fluid flow guide to define a bulge that extends radially outward and has a greatest cross-sectional area that is equal to at least 120% of a cross-sectional area of a narrowest portion of the stent-graft rostral to the bulge, and (b) a second subset of the structural stent elements are not configured to cause the fluid flow guide to define the bulge. The structural stent elements of the first subset at least partially overlap the structural stent elements of the second subset lengthwise along the stent body.

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 extra-luminal ring (1200) includes a structural member (1202), which assumes a first elongate hollow shape (1206) when in a relaxed state; when deformed to a planar state (1208), generally defines a planar shape (1209) having two first sides (1220A, 1220B) parallel to each other, and two second sides (1222A, 1222B) parallel to each other; and when in the relaxed state, is configured such that the two first sides (1220A, 1220B) are generally straight and parallel with each other, and the two second sides (1222A, 1222B) are curved at least partially around a first longitudinal axis (1230) defined by the first elongate hollow shape (1206).

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft includes a generally tubular body configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery state and a radially-expanded deployment state. The body includes a flexible stent member, and a tubular fluid flow guide attached to the stent member. The body includes a compliance-restoration body portion extending axially along a portion of the body, and including portions of the stent member and fluid flow guide. When the body is in the radially-expanded deployment state, the compliance-restoration body portion characterized by a greatest diastolic outer radius when the body is internally pressurized by fluid having a pressure of 80 mmHg, and radially expandable to a greatest systolic outer radius when the body is internally pressurized by fluid having a pressure of 120 mmHg. The greatest systolic outer radius (RS) is at least 5% greater than the greatest diastolic outer radius.

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 endovascular stent-graft is provided that includes a flexible stent member, which includes a plurality of struts, which are shaped so as to define a generally circumferential section; a tubular fluid flow guide, which includes a graft material, and which is attached to the stent member; and at least one fixation member shaped so as to define a base at a first end thereof and a sharp tip at a second end thereof. The base is coupled to one of the struts that are shaped so as to define the generally circumferential section. When the stent-graft is in a radially-expanded deployment state, the fixation member protrudes radially outward. When the stent-graft is in a radially-compressed delivery state, at least a portion of the fixation member between the base and the sharp tip is convex as viewed from outside the stent-graft, such that the sharp tip points radially inward.

Abstract: A generally tubular stent-graft (24) has distal and proximal stent-graft ends (36, 38) and includes a generally tubular support element (30) and a covering element (32).

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (10) includes a generally tubular hourglass-shaped body (22), which is configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery configuration and a radially-expanded deployment configuration. The hourglass-shaped body (22) includes a flexible stent member (26), which includes a plurality of structural stent elements (28); and a tubular fluid flow guide (24), which includes a fabric (29), and is attached to the structural stent elements (28). The hourglass-shaped body (22) is shaped so as to define a narrow waist portion (32) longitudinally surrounded by and adjacent to wider first and second longitudinal portions (30, 34). The fabric (29) along the waist portion (32) is shaped so as to define at least first and second lateral apertures (36, 38). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Medical apparatus (100) is provided for insertion into a mammalian body. The apparatus (100) includes structural stent elements (110), at least a portion of which are shaped so as to define (a) at least one generally circumferential band (112), and (b) a plurality of engagement members (114) that are joined to and extend radially inwardly from the band (112). The apparatus (100) further includes an elongated latch member (118) which is threaded through the engagement members (114), thereby physically latching the engagement members (114). The band (112) and the engagement members (114) are configured such that (a) when the latch member (118) is threaded through and thus physically latches the engagement members (114), the engagement members (114) retain the band (112) in a radially-compressed state, and (b) when the latch member (118) is removed from the engagement members (114), the band (112) assumes a radially-expanded state. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is provided that includes an extra-vascular ring (12) and an endo vascular stent-graft (14). The ring (12) comprises a structural member (30), which is configured to assume an elongate hollow shape (32), which has first and second longitudinal ends (40, 42), and is suitable for placement at least partially around an aorta (20) so as to provide a generally cylindrical landing zone. The endovascular stent-graft (14) is suitable for endovascular placement inside the aorta (20) such that a portion of the stent-graft (14) is positioned against an internal wall of the aorta (20) at the landing zone provided by the structural member (30).

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: Apparatus (10) is provided, which includes an endovascular stent-graft (20) and a heating device (22) that is coupled to the stent-graft (20). The stent-graft (20) is configured to be implanted in at least one blood vessel in a vicinity of an aneurysm (102). The heating device (22) is configured to apply, to a region (24) external to the stent-graft (20), thermal energy sufficient to coagulate blood flowing into the aneurysm (102). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (20, 120, 180, 220, 320) includes a fluid flow guide (22), and a plurality of structural stent elements (24) attached to at least a portion of the fluid flow guide (22). The stent-graft is configured to define a generally tubular foldable section (30), which comprises first, second, and third subsections (32, 34, 36). The stent-graft is configured to assume a delivery configuration and a deployment configuration. In the delivery configuration, (a) the stent-graft, including the foldable section (30), is in a radially-compressed state, and (b) the foldable section (30) is in a longitudinally-expanded state, in which state the first and the third subsections (32, 36) longitudinally surround the second subsection (34).

Abstract: A biomedical tester includes a fluid-control container, shaped to define a fluid-control container port and a first interface surface defining fluid-control container apertures. A fluid controller is shaped to define a second interface surface defining controller ports. These elements and a motor are arranged to relative translation between the first and second interface surfaces; thereby effecting a time-varying overlap between subgroups of the system. Fixtures allow disposition therewithin of respective medical devices. Each of the fixtures includes one or more fixture first ports and fixture second ports. The fixture first ports are mounted in fluid Communication respective with the controller ports. A fluid pump includes first and second pump ports in fluid communication with the fixture second ports and the fluid-control container port, respectively.

Abstract: A generally tubular stent-graft (20) includes a generally tubular support element (30) and a covering element (32) that is attached to and at least partially covers the support element (30). When the stent-graft (20) is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state, a proximal end portion (40) of the covering element (32) is shaped so as to define at least first and second proximally-extending pieces (42A, 42B).

Abstract: A branching stent-graft is deployed such that a distal end thereof is in a branching blood vessel, a proximal end thereof extends into a main blood vessel, and a coupling portion thereof transitions to a partially-radially-expanded state, in which the coupling portion defines a sharp tip at a proximal end of the branching stent-graft. A main stent-graft is transvascularly introduced into the main blood vessel in a radially-compressed state. After the branching stent-graft is deployed, and while the sharp tip remains stationary, the main stent-graft is transitioned to a radially-expanded state, such that the sharp tip punctures the main covering element as the main stent-graft transitions to the radially-expanded state, thereby forming a fenestration in the main covering element. The coupling portion is transitioned to a more-radially-expanded state, so as to form a blood-impervious seal between a branching covering element and a main covering element.