Abstract: A handle for a catheter, comprising a marking arrangement using index markings which can be read through a window. The window is arranged on the handle, and the index markings are carried by an embossed wheel pivoting on an axis perpendicular to the axis of the catheter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repairing a vessel at a bifurcation using a multicapsule catheter having first, second and third capsules for releasably retaining each terminal end of a bifurcated graft. The method for repairing the vessel includes the steps of performing a surgical technique to gain remote access to the vessel, advancing the multicapsule catheter within the vessel and releasing the bifurcated graft within the vessel to thereby repair the vessel.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system includes a hollow graft which has a proximal staple positioned proximate its proximal end and a distal staple adapted proximate its distal end. The system includes a capsule for transporting the graft through the lumen and for positioning the proximal end of the graft upstream in a lumen which may be a blood vessel or artery. A tube is connected to the capsule and extends to exterior the vessel for manipulation by the user. A catheter is positioned within the tube to extend from the cavity and through the graft to exterior the body. The catheter has an inflatable membrane or balloon proximate the distal end thereof which is in communication via a channel with inflation and deflation means located exterior the vessel. With the inflatable membrane deflated, the capsule is positioned in the lumen and manipulated to a desired location. The inflatable membrane is manipulated by the rod away from the graft.

Abstract: A system for repairing body lumens including a modular graft and a method for deploying the graft within the body lumen. The modular graft includes a first component having first and second leg portions which mate with second and third graft components, respectively. The second leg portion has a bell bottom shape. The modular graft further includes expandable members which aid in implanting the modular graft as well as facilitates the mating of its components. In order to repair the body lumen, the first component is placed at the repair site and thereafter, the first and second legs are advanced to the repair site and attached to the first component.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system includes a hollow graft which has a proximal staple positioned proximate its proximal end and a distal staple adapted proximate its distal end. The system includes a capsule for transporting the graft through the lumen and for positioning the proximal end of the graft upstream in a lumen which may be a blood vessel or artery. A tube is connected to the capsule and extends to exterior the vessel for manipulation by the user. A catheter is positioned within the tube to extend from the cavity and through the graft to exterior the body. The catheter has an inflatable membrane or balloon proximate the distal end thereof which is in communication via a channel with inflation and deflation means located exterior the vessel. With the inflatable membrane deflated, the capsule is positioned in the lumen and manipulated to a desired location. The inflatable mabrane is manipulated by the rod away from the graft.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved stent in which the limbs have been fabricated from a medium having a cross sectional profile in which at least one segment is flat and straight, whereby the stent is provided with improved expansion characteristics.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying a graft having attachment means in the vessel of an animal body. The system contains a proximal capsule means and a distal capsule means, wherein the graft is disposed within the two capsule means and a removable sheath covers the graft and capsule means. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, having attachment means with wall engaging members secured thereto. The balloon catheter is disposed within the capsule catheter to provide relative movement between the balloon catheter and the capsule catheter, whereby the graft can be removed from the capsule means. The balloon is inflated to firmly implant the graft and attachment means within the vessel. The graft and attachment means remain in the vessel after the intraluminal grafting system is withdrawn.

Abstract: A sheath assembly for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The sheath assembly includes an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member with a conically shaped cap at its distal end. A locking mechanism prevents advancement of the inner tubular member and associated cap in a distal direction of the vessel of the patient independent of the outer tubular member, but allows free movement of the inner tubular member in the proximal direction independent of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A delivery catheter and gripping system for enabling manipulation of a prosthesis deployed or implanted at a repair site in a corporeal lumen, for repositioning of the prosthesis. The delivery catheter includes a grip at the proximal end, a jacket enlarged portion at the distal end, and a shaft therebetween, and has a channel extending therethrough, for enabling insertion, removal, expansion and compression of the gripping system. The gripping system is housed in the delivery catheter, and includes a grip and biasing spring at the proximal end, a plurality of resilient gripping elements at the distal end, and a deploying wire therebetween for enabling gripping, maneuvering, and repositioning of the prosthesis to the desired location.

Abstract: Graft having a bifurcation for repairing an aneurysm in the vicinity of an aortic bifurcation in a patient comprising a main tubular body and first and second tubular legs joined to said main body in a bifurcation. The main body and the legs are formed of a flexible surgically implantable material. The main body and each of the first and second legs having an opening therein in communication with the other openings. Expandable spring attachments are secured to the main body adjacent the opening in the main body. An additional expandable spring attachment is secured to one of said legs adjacent the opening in said one leg.

Abstract: An improved intraluminal grafting system incorporating novel structural features for enhancing the effective and efficient deployment of a bifurcated prosthesis having a plurality of attachment systems, in the vessel of an animal body, the system including a balloon catheter assembly, an ipsilateral capsule catheter assembly, distal and contralateral capsule assemblies and means interacting therewith, and a capsule jacket assembly. The capsule assemblies include an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated prosthesis are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. The capsule jacket assembly includes a removable sheath that covers the bifurcated prosthesis and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters.

Abstract: Graft having a bifurcation for repairing an aneurysm in the vicinity of an aortic bifurcation in a patient comprising a main tubular body and first and second tubular legs joined to said main body in a bifurcation. The main body and the legs are formed of a flexible surgically implantable material. The main body and each of the first and second legs having an opening therein in communication with the other openings. Expandable spring attachments are secured to the main body adjacent the opening in the main body. An additional expandable spring attachment is secured to one of said legs adjacent the opening in said one leg.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying a graft having attachment means in the vessel of an animal body. The system contains a proximal capsule means and a distal capsule means, wherein the graft is disposed within the two capsule means and a removable sheath covers the graft and capsule means. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, having attachment means with wall engaging members secured thereto. The balloon catheter is disposed within the capsule catheter to provide relative movement between the balloon catheter and the capsule catheter, whereby the graft can be removed from the capsule means. The balloon is inflated to firmly implant the graft and attachment means within the vessel. The graft and attachment means remain in the vessel after the intraluminal grafting system is withdrawn.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying a graft having attachment means in the vessel of an animal body. The system contains a proximal capsule means and a distal capsule means, wherein the graft is disposed within the two capsule means and a removable sheath covers the graft and capsule means. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, having attachment means with wall engaging members secured thereto. The balloon catheter is disposed within the capsule catheter to provide relative movement between the balloon catheter and the capsule catheter, whereby the graft can be removed from the capsule means. The balloon is inflated to firmly implant the graft and attachment means within the vessel. The graft and attachment means remain in the vessel after the intraluminal grafting system is withdrawn.

Abstract: A delivery catheter having an inner catheter assembly, an inferior capsule catheter, and a capsule jacket assembly for use in deploying a graft having a compressible and expandable attachment systems in the thoracic region of an aorta. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having superior and inferior ends, each having an attachment system with wall engaging members secured thereto and is crimped along its midsection to resist kinking and elongation. The delivery catheter includes an inferior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the inferior attachment system of the graft and a superior capsule assembly for releasably retaining the superior attachment system of the graft as well as a releasing system for maintaining the attachment systems in a compressed configuration and for facilitating expansion of the attachment systems.

Abstract: Endovascular grafting system having a capsule catheter comprising a flexible elongate tubular member having proximal and distal extremities and a capsule mounted on the distal extremity of the tubular member. The capsule is generally cylindrical in shape and is formed of a helical wrap of a metal ribbon. The wraps are bonded into a unitary capsule permitting bending of said unitary capsule. A graft is disposed within the capsule. The graft is comprised of a tubular member having proximal and distal ends. Hooks are secured to the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member and face in a direction outwardly towards the inner wall of the capsule. A push rod is disposed within the capsule catheter and engages the graft whereby upon relative movement between the push rod and the capsule catheter, the graft can be forced out of the capsule.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system includes a hollow graft which has a proximal staple positioned proximate its proximal end and a distal staple adapted proximate its distal end. The system includes a capsule for transporting the graft through the lumen and for positioning the proximal end of the graft upstream in a lumen which may be a blood vessel or artery. A tube is connected to the capsule and extends to exterior the vessel for manipulation by the user. A catheter is positioned within the tube to extend from the cavity and through the graft to exterior the body. The catheter has an inflatable membrane or balloon proximate the distal end thereof which is in communication via a channel with inflation and deflation means located exterior the vessel. With the inflatable membrane deflated, the capsule is positioned in the lumen and manipulated to a desired location. The inflatable membrane is manipulated by the rod away from the graft.

Abstract: A large-diameter expandable sheath for use in introducing a catheter or other medical instrument into a vessel in the body of a patient. The expandable sheath comprises an elongate sheath tube formed of a flexible material which has proximal and distal extremities and a passage extending therethrough of a maximum predetermined diameter. The distal extremity of the elongate sheath tube is folded longitudinally to a smaller folded diameter. The sheath tube may be self-expanding or may be reinforced with a self-expanding wire or expandable stents. A backflow adapter is secured to the proximal extremity of the elongate sheath tube. The backflow adapter has a central opening therein in registration with the passage in the sheath tube. A normally closed primary valve is disposed in the central opening of the backflow adapter and is movable to an open position.

Abstract: An intraluminal grafting system having a balloon catheter assembly, a capsule catheter assembly and capsule jacket assembly is used for deploying in the vessel of an animal body a bifurcated graft having a plurality of attachment systems. The deployment catheters contain an ipsilateral capsule assembly, a contralateral capsule assembly and a distal capsule assembly, wherein the attachment systems of the bifurcated graft are disposed within the three capsule assemblies. A removable sheath of the capsule jacket assembly covers the bifurcated graft and capsule assemblies to provide a smooth transition along the length of the deployment catheters. The bifurcated graft is comprised of a main tubular member and two tubular legs, having attachment systems with wall engaging members secured to the superior end of the main tubular member and the inferior ends of the tubular legs. An inflatable membrane configured on the balloon catheter is used to firmly implant the attachment systems within the vessel.