Abstract: A catheter system for the introduction and implantation of a stent comprises a catheter (1) with an expandable portion (2) at its one end, elements at the opposite catheter end intended for communication with means for expanding the expandable portion, and a stent (3) made of a material to which a permanent deformation is imparted when the catheter is expanded until the desired insertion diameter is reached, said stent (3) being arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, where the stent (3) is adhesively connected to the expandable portion (2) of the catheter with adhesion forces between stent and support which are less powerful than the shear forces with which the expandable portion (2) of the catheter influences the adhesive connection when said portion is expanded, all of the above being obtainable by a method whereby the stent (3) is arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, the catheter surface is softened, e.g.

Abstract: An implantable intraluminal device includes a multilayer composite tubular device supporting one or more stents between the layer thereof. A first porous elongate tube includes an exterior surface and an interior luminal surface. A radially expandable member is disposed about the exterior surface of the first tube. A second porous elongate tube is disposed concentrically over the first tube and is secured thereto so that the radially expandable member is longitudinally immobilized therebetween.

Abstract: An intraluminally implantable stent is formed of helically wound wire. The stent has a generally elongate tubular configuration and is radially expandable after implantation in a body vessel. The wire includes successively formed waves along the length of the wire. When helically wound into a tube, the waves are longitudinally nested along the longitudinal extent of the stent so as to form a densely compacted wire configuration. After radial expansion the stent maintains high radial compressive strength and wire density to retard tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft-tissue prosthesis which is formed from a tubular textile substrate and a liner. The liner is affixed to the intraluminal surface of the tubular textile portion of the soft-tissue prosthesis to form a fluid-tight barrier on the intraluminal surface of the prosthesis. The liner is preferably formed from a polymer. Thus, the soft-tissue prosthesis formed in accordance with the present invention provides the advantages of both a textile prosthesis and a polymer prosthesis.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: A catheter system for the introduction and implantation of a stent comprises a catheter (1) with an expandable portion (2) at its one end, elements at the opposite catheter end intended for communication with means for expanding the expandable portion, and a stent (3) made of a material to which a permanent deformation is imparted when the catheter is expanded until the desired insertion diameter is reached, said stent (3) being arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, where the stent (3) is adhesively connected to the expandable portion (2) of the catheter with adhesion forces between stent and support which are less powerful than the shear forces with which the expandable portion (2) of the catheter influences the adhesive connection when said portion is expanded, all of the above being obtainable by a method whereby the stent (3) is arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, the catheter surface is softened, e.g.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft-tissue prosthesis which is formed from a tubular textile substrate and a liner. The liner is affixed to the intraluminal surface of the tubular textile portion of the soft-tissue prosthesis to form a fluid-tight barrier on the intraluminal surface of the prosthesis. The liner is preferably formed from a polymer. Thus, the soft-tissue prosthesis formed in accordance with the present invention provides the advantages of both a textile prosthesis and a polymer prosthesis.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for extruding ePTFE tube for use in medical applications. A tube of PTFE is extruded, preferably in an extrusion process, using counter-rotated die components. The die component is maintained at a constant temperature during processing. The resulting green tube has enhanced fibrous state formation in a direction perpendicular to the direction of extrusion. The PTFE green tube is then subjected to secondary operations such as stretching and expansion to yield medical product. The ePTFE tube structure is defined by nodes interconnected by elongate fibrils. Both the nodes and fibrils are substantially randomly tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube. This particular structure yields a tube which exhibits a high degree of radial tear strength useful in medical applications.

Abstract: An implantable tubular textile prosthesis particularly useful in branched end-to-side anastomoses is provided. The prosthesis includes a first portion including an elongate tubular main wall which defines a fluid passageway therethrough, and a second portion including a tubular branch wall which extends laterally from the tubular main wall and which defines a fluid passageway therethrough. The tubular branch wall includes an elongate tubular extent and a contiguous flared tubular extent. The tubular branch wall is secured to the tubular main wall at the flared tubular extent to establish fluid communication between the passageways of the tubular main wall and the tubular branch wall. The flared tubular extent includes a gradual increase in diameter with respect to the tubular branch extent to provide a seamless and substantially fluid-tight transition between the tubular main wall and the tubular branch wall along the flared tubular extent.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding implantable intraluminal device formed from a hollow tubular braid. The intraluminal device may be used in a variety of medical procedures which require a passageway to be maintained in an open position or which require reinforcement, support or a bypass conduit such as in blood vessels weakened by disease. The intraluminal device is longitudinally expanded or radially collapsed for ease of insertion into a lumen and upon alignment within the lumen, the intraluminal device radially self-expands to come into intimate contact with the inner surface of the lumen.

Abstract: An implantable tubular textile prosthesis particularly useful in branched end-to-side anastomoses is provided. The prosthesis includes a first portion including an elongate tubular main wall which defines a fluid passageway therethrough, and a second portion including a tubular branch wall which extends laterally from the tubular main wall and which defines a fluid passageway therethrough. The tubular branch wall includes an elongate tubular extent and a contiguous flared tubular extent. The tubular branch wall is secured to the tubular main wall at the flared tubular extent to establish fluid communication between the passageways of the tubular main wall and the tubular branch wall. The flared tubular extent includes a gradual increase in diameter with respect to the tubular branch extent to provide a seamless and substantially fluid-tight transition between the tubular main wall and the tubular branch wall along the flared tubular extent.

Abstract: A catheter system for the introduction and implantation of a stent comprises a catheter (1) with an expandable portion (2) at its one end, elements at the opposite catheter end intended for communication with means for expanding the expandable portion, and a stent (3) made of a material to which a permanent deformation is imparted when the catheter is expanded until the desired insertion diameter is reached, said stent (3) being arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, where the stent (3) is adhesively connected to the expandable portion (2) of the catheter with adhesion forces between stent and support which are less powerful than the shear forces with which the expandable portion (2) of the catheter influences the adhesive connection when said portion is expanded, all of the above being obtainable by a method whereby the stent (3) is arranged around the expandable portion (2) of the catheter, the catheter surface is softened, e.g.

Abstract: An implantable intraluminal prosthesis assembly is provided for use in repairing or replacing damaged or diseased portions of a blood vessel or other like vessel. The prosthesis includes an expandable stent/graft combination, with a pair of stents at either end of the graft, and further includes a plurality of struts extending between and interconnecting the stents, and radial spaced about the inner surface of the graft. As such, the implantable prosthesis is provided with internal support for the graft when in a compressed state during implantation and is further provided with radial support along the length of the graft after implantation.

Abstract: An intraluminally implantable stent is formed of helically wound wire. The stent has a generally elongate tubular configuration and is radially expandable after implantation in a body vessel. The wire includes successively formed waves along the length of the wire. When helically wound into a tube, the waves are longitudinally nested along the longitudinal extent of the stent so as to form a densely compacted wire configuration. After radial expansion the stent maintains high radial compressive strength and wire density to retard tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: There is described a bio-compatible aqueous slurry for forming a fluid-tight barrier on a surface of a porous implantable article. This aqueous slurry includes a self-aggregating protein comminutate having a substantially uniform particle size, a bio-compatible plasticizer and water. This aqueous slurry is further characterized by having a viscosity of about 8,000 centipoise to about 60,000 centipoise at 25° C. and a pH sufficient to maintain the protein suspended in the slurry.

Abstract: An implantable intralumina device includes a multilayer composite tubular device supporting one or more stents between the layer thereof. A first porous elongate tube includes an exterior surface and an interior luminal surface. A radially expandable member is disposed about the exterior surface of the first tube. A second porous elongate tube is disposed concentrically over the first tube and is secured thereto so that the radially expandable member is longitudinally immobilized therebetween.

Abstract: A tubular intraluminal prosthesis includes a PTFE or ePTFE tubular structure such as a graft, and a tubular diametrically deformable stent circumferentially surrounding the tubular structure. The diametrically deformable stent includes a polymeric coating which allows for attachment to the tubular graft structure and enhances the biocompatibility and integrity of the composite prosthesis.