Abstract: Graft apparatus, delivery devices and methods for use in stent-graft systems are provided for use in treating aneurysms occurring in hollow-body organs or vessels and for treating arterio-venous fistulas. The graft and graft delivery devices provide the clinician with complete control over the location of the graft at any time prior to implantation of the stents, even when the graft is completely deployed from its introducer catheter. The graft and graft delivery devices also permit retrieval of the graft should it be desired to substitute a graft of a different size or to abort the procedure.

Abstract: This invention provides a graft delivery system and methods for its use comprising a prosthetic graft secured to an expandable anchoring member, such as a stent, by a butt-joint attachment means to minimize the system's profile. The delivery system employs a catheter with a relatively small diameter shaft for flexibility and a relatively large diameter delivery base for supporting expansion of the anchoring member. The butt-joint attachment means comprises any means suitable to secure the graft to the anchoring member when deployed within the patient's vasculature and allows the anchoring member and graft to expand during deployment. In a preferred embodiment, the delivery system is configured so that the expansion of the anchoring member pulls the distal end of the graft over the proximal end of the anchoring member and the final expansion of the anchoring member seals the distal end of the graft between the proximal end of the anchoring member and the vessel.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft and method for inserting the same are provided including a biocompatible body, anchors attached to surface of the body, and an engine that includes an engine coil positioned within and attached to the body. The coil also is configured for attachment to an insertion device.

Abstract: A coupler is provided for connecting a stent and a vascular graft for repairing aneurysms. An intravascular stent is connected to a vascular graft by a coupler having a high degree of elasticity so that the stent-coupler-graft assembly can be implanted to repair a body passageway, including aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: An insertion device for an intraluminal graft is provided, including a deployment catheter which has a deployment shaft and an expanding frame with an umbrella-like assembly. The assembly is suitable for radially expanding a graft. The device also includes a deployment grip connected to the deployment shaft. A coil interposed between the deployment grip and the expanding frame resiliently urges the expanding frame, with the deployment grip reversibly operating the expanding frame thereby. The deployment catheter collapses for removal from the vessel lumen after the intraluminal graft has been introduced therein. This intraluminal graft is deployed through a catheter and expanded in place to anchor the graft to the vessel wall. The expanding frame is then collapsed and withdrawn from the lumen. The insertion device also can be configured as an intraluminal dilation device that can be used to dilate a lumen and to ensnare an intraluminal object.

Abstract: A sheath holds a device against a balloon catheter for delivery in the lumen of a patient. The device can be a stent and graft combination. The stent is kept properly centered over the balloon catheter by the sheath as the graft is placed in a blood vessel. The smooth outer surface of the sheath protects the vessel wall from the rough surface of the stent. A notch is formed in the end of the sheath where the free end of a strand of thread protrudes from the sheath. The sheath is removed from the graft by pulling on the free end of the strand otherwise located distally from the outer surface of the sheath. The strand cuts through and splits open the sheath as a result of the force applied on the free end of the strand. The other end of the strand is attached to a reinforced collar at the other end of the sheath. The strand does not cut through the collar.