Abstract: A vascular filter is provided that includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and a guidewire lumen. An expandable frame is attached to the tubular member capable of assuming collapsed and enlarged conditions, and filter material is attached to the frame, the filter material having an open proximal end when the frame assumes its enlarged condition. An apparatus for recovering a vascular filter from a blood vessel is also provided that includes a sheath and a retrieval member deployable from the sheath. The retrieval member includes a connector on its distal end for securing the tubular member, such as an expandable member within a recess for receiving the tubular member. The vascular filter may be constrained in its collapsed condition in a sheath, and the tubular member advanced over a guidewire to a location downstream of a treatment site. The vascular filter is deployed and expanded to its enlarged condition across the blood vessel, the guidewire remaining in place.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. One or more support elements, defining the exo-skeleton, are attached to the tubular graft, each support element extending generally peripherally around the tubular graft, each support element including generally axial segments and generally peripheral segments. A plurality of first fasteners attach the plurality of support elements to the wall of the tubular graft, at least one generally axial segment being slidably engaged by each first fastener. A plurality of second fasteners also attach the plurality of support elements to the wall of the tubular graft, each second fastener substantially anchoring a generally peripheral segment of the respective support element to the wall of the tubular graft.

Abstract: A vascular filter is provided that includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, and a guidewire lumen. An expandable frame is attached to the tubular member capable of assuming collapsed and enlarged conditions, and filter material is attached to the frame, the filter material having an open proximal end when the frame assumes its enlarged condition. An apparatus for recovering a vascular filter from a blood vessel is also provided that includes a sheath and a retrieval member deployable from the sheath. The retrieval member includes a connector on its distal end for securing the tubular member, such as an expandable member within a recess for receiving the tubular member. The vascular filter may be constrained in its collapsed condition in a sheath, and the tubular member advanced over a guidewire to a location downstream of a treatment site. The, vascular filter is deployed and expanded to its enlarged condition across the blood vessel, the guidewire remaining in place.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral-wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. One or more support elements, defining the exo-skeleton, are attached to the tubular graft, each support element extending generally peripherally around the tubular graft, each support element including generally axial segments and generally peripheral segments. A plurality of first fasteners attach the plurality of support elements to the wall of the tubular graft, at least one generally axial segment being slidably engaged by each first fastener. A plurality of second fasteners also attach the plurality of support elements to the wall of the tubular graft, each second fastener substantially anchoring a generally peripheral segment of the respective support element to the wall of the tubular graft.

Abstract: A prosthesis for treating a body passage includes a micro-porous tubular element and a support element. The tubular element is formed from a thin-walled sheet having a wall thickness of 25 micrometers or less, preferably a coiled-sheet exhibiting temperature-activated shape memory properties. The mesh pattern includes a plurality of openings in the sheet having a maximum dimension of not more than about 200 micrometers, thereby acting as a filter trapping embolic material while facilitating endothelial growth therethrough. The support element includes a plurality of struts, preferably having a thickness of 100-150 micrometers. The support element is preferably an independent component from the tubular element. Alternatively, the support element may be attached to or integrally formed as part of the tubular element. The tubular and support elements are placed on a catheter in contracted conditions and advanced endoluminally to a treatment location within a body passage.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for temporarily excluding an aneurysm or an arterio-venous fistula from a flow path by transluminally disposing a hollow balloon catheter structure within the aneurysm so that its proximal and distal ends extend past the aneurysm while maintaining continuity of the flow path, and then injecting a synthetic molding material or a biological hardening agent into the aneurysm cavity to cause solidification of the volume within the cavity. Once the material within the excluded aneurysm has solidified, the balloon catheter structure is deflated and removed, so that the hardened mass forms a new lining for the organ or vessel, and relieves the weakened tissue of the aneurysm or fistula from further flow-induced stress.

Abstract: A handle device for a catheter-sheath assembly includes a handle member having proximal and distal ends, and a control member including a tubular portion coupled to a control portion, the control portion slidably coupled to the handle member. A cooperating rail and wheel are provided on the handle member and the control portion for directing the control portion axially with respect to the handle member upon rotation of the wheel. A tubular sheath extends distally from the tubular portion, and a catheter or bumper is secured to the handle member that extends through the tubular portion into the sheath. The control portion is directable between distal and proximal positions to direct the tubular portion proximally and consequently retract the sheath with respect to the catheter or bumper to deploy a stent or other element from within the sheath.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, and methods of use, are provided in which a stent is constrained in a contracted delivery state with binding straps that are electrolytically erodible to deploy the stent. The binding straps are attached to a power source and each have a small electrically uninsulated reduced thickness portion. A second electrode wire is disposed adjacent to the uninsulated areas or separately electrically coupled to an exterior surface of the patient's body. When an electric current is applied, the uninsulated areas of the binding straps are electrolytically eroded and rupture, thereby allowing the stent to at least partially deploy.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treating aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, occurring in single and bifurcated lumens. The prosthesis comprises an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft, either a sheet or tube, affixed thereto along part or all of the circumference of the coiled sheet portion. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis in single and bifurcated lumens are also provided.

Abstract: A stent delivery system, and methods of use, are provided in which a stent is constrained in a contracted delivery state with binding straps that are electrolytically eroded to deploy the stent. The binding straps are attached to a power source and each have a small electrically uninsulated reduced thickness portion. A second electrode wire is disposed adjacent to the uninsulated areas or separately electrically coupled to an exterior surface of the patient's body. When an electric current is applied, the uninsulated areas of the binding straps are electrolytically eroded and rupture, thereby allowing the stent to at least partially deploy.

Abstract: A stent comprising a helical mesh coil is provided having a substantially rectangular cross-section and a band width equal to at least one-quarter to one-third of the maximum expanded circumference of the stent. The helical mesh has a multiplicity of openings forming a lattice which preferably provides about 60% open space or more. Alternative embodiments of the helical mesh may include specially designed free ends that preferentially overlap neighboring turns of the coil, to ensure that the free ends of the stent do not project into the body lumen, and integrally formed barbs that induce a ratcheting effect that ensures that the stent resists localized compressive forces. Methods of deploying the helical mesh coil stent also provided.

Abstract: A stent-graft delivery system and methods for use are provided for use in treating aneurysms occurring in single and bifurcated lumen hollow-body organs or vessels and for treating arterio-venous fistulas. A graft delivery component provides a clinician with complete control over the location of a graft at any time prior to implantation of stents, even when the graft is deployed from its introducer catheter. The graft delivery component includes a plurality of radially expandable fingers that releasably engage the graft, while the stent delivery component includes a small diameter introducer catheter and permits a wide range of conventional stent designs to be used to permanently fix the graft in position.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis is provided having at least first and second resilient coiled sheet portions, and an intermediate region comprising a helical articulation. The coiled sheet portions may be of the same or different diameters so as to accommodate a taper in the body lumen, while the helical articulation comprises a mesh portion that provides both flexibility and high radial strength, and which contracts to its delivery profile with relatively few turns. The coiled sheet portions also may be of the same or different lengths, and for very long devices, may be interspersed between a plurality of helical articulation portions. The pitch of the helical articulation may be varied to create a partial telescoping of the helical articulation within one of the first and second coiled sheet portions when in a contracted state. The prosthesis may also be used for treating bifurcated vessels.

Abstract: A prosthesis is provided for treatment of aneurysms, occlusive disease of vessels and body organs, and arterio-venous fistulas, comprising an expandable coiled sheet portion having a biocompatible graft affixed thereto. The graft material, preferably a polytetrafluoroethylene ("PTFE") or polyesther material, is affixed to the coiled sheet portion by sintering, suturing, or bonding using a biocompatible adhesive. The coiled sheet portion comprises a lattice formed from a biocompatible material, and may include one or more rows of locking teeth adjacent one edge of the coiled sheet that interengage openings in an opposing edge of the coiled sheet portion to retain the prosthesis at a desired expanded diameter. The prosthesis has a small delivery profile, making it suitable for use in a variety of body vessels. Methods of making and deploying the prosthesis are also provided.

Abstract: The intravascular multi-anchor stent includes a plurality of cylindrical elements that are independently expandable in the radial direction and that are interconnected so as to be generally aligned on a common longitudinal axis, and a plurality of barbs along the entire circumference of the stent that face outwardly when the stent is in an expanded condition. A plurality of connecting elements are provided for interconnecting only the cylindrical elements that are adjacent to each other so that the stent, when expanded in the radial direction, retains its overall length without appreciable shortening.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and graft system for aneurysm repair comprising a prosthetic graft with means to draw a distal extremity of the graft over a portion of an expandable anchoring member. Prior to deployment, the graft and the anchoring member do not overlap to reduce the outer diameter of the delivery system. Preferably, the drawing means comprises pull strands connected to the distal extremity of the graft so that the distal extremity of the graft may be pulled over a proximal portion of the anchoring member. Subsequent expansion of the anchoring member seals the overlapped graft against the vessel wall to minimize blood flow-by and secures the graft in the vessel. Securing means may be advanced up each pull strand to abut the anchoring member and further secure the graft to the anchoring member.The graft may also comprise means to guide a second expandable anchoring member to the proximal end of the graft.