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: An implantable tubular prosthesis having cuffs adapted to accommodate stents. The prosthesis includes a hollow tubular conduit with cuffs at each end. Each of the cuffs has a closed end and a open end to create a slot for housing the stents. The prosthesis may be an implantable tubular intraluminal prosthesis for insertion within a body vessel, where the hollow tubular conduit is radially expandable to buttress the body vessel. Alternatively, the prosthesis may be an implantable tubular prosthetic graft for surgical replacement of damaged or diseased existing body vessels. The tubular prosthesis and stent combination may be radially expanded so that the stents anchor the prosthesis within the lumen. The slots which house the stents, prevent contact between the stents and fluids flowing through the body vessel.

Abstract: A deployment system for transcutaneous insertion of an implantable tubular prosthesis is provided. The deployment system includes a flexible, elongated, tubular, delivery catheter with at least one inner lumen, and an opening extending through the catheter to the inner lumen. Positioned over the catheter is an implantable endoprosthesis capable of radial expansion and having a proximal and a distal end extent. A support assembly removably maintains the endoprosthesis in a compressed state, and is located at a position adjacent the catheter opening. The support assembly includes an arm which extends through the catheter opening into the inner lumen. A release mechanism is insertable through the inner lumen and includes a distal tip engageable with the arm of the support assembly. The release mechanism is manipulatable within the inner lumen so as to remove the support assembly from the endoprosthesis, permitting radial expansion of the endoprosthesis for implantation.

Abstract: A ravel-resistant, self-supporting woven synthetic fabric vascular graft including a fusible fiber integrated into the weave in the filling yarn is provided. The graft is woven from multifilament polyester warp yarns which can be textured or flat. The filling yarn includes a low melting fusible fiber or resin which can be combined with a stiff monofilament. The monofilament component provides radial rigidity to improve kink and crush resistance. After heat setting, the low melting fusible resin fuses to orthogonal warp yarns at each intersection and provides ravel resistance to the finished graft. Improved kink resistance make the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has a single velour outer surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: An improved extrusion method is employed in a process which is used to form tubing for medical applications. The method includes providing an extrusion apparatus having a die which includes a die cavity and a mandrel within the die cavity. The die is rotated in a first rotational direction while the mandrel is rotated in a second rotational direction opposite the first direction. While the die and the mandrel are rotating, a PTFE paste is passed through the annular passage defined between the die and the mandrel. The die cavity is cooled to maintain the PTFE paste passing therethrough at a substantially non-elevated temperature.

Abstract: A woven synthetic fabric tubular vascular graft including, a stiffening component in the filling yarn is self supporting without crimping the walls of the graft. The graft is woven from warp ends of multifilament polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns in the warp and a filling yarn which includes multifilament and monofilament polyester yarns which have been twisted together. Longitudinal and radial compliance provide for improved kink resistance making the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has an outer velour surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: A woven synthetic fabric tubular vascular graft including, a stiffening component in the filling yarn is self supporting without crimping the walls of the graft. The graft is woven from warp ends of multifilament polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns in the warp and a filling yarn which includes multifilament and monofilament polyester yarns which have been twisted together. Longitudinal and radial compliance provide for improved kink resistance making the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has an outer velour surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: A radially expandable tubular prosthesis which allows for controlled expansion in a circumferential direction following implantation while limiting expansion in a longitudinal direction. The prosthesis is particularly suited to intraluminal implantation via a catheter and is also particularly suited for percutaneous implantation in children.

Abstract: A woven synthetic fabric tubular vascular graft including, a stiffening component in the filling yarn is self supporting without crimping the walls of the graft. The graft is woven from warp ends of multifilament polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns in the warp and a filling yarn which includes multifilament and monofilament polyester yarns which have been twisted together. Longitudinal and radial compliance provide for improved kink resistance making the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has a an outer velour surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft tissue prosthesis which is formed from a three-dimensional braided structure. The three-dimensional braided structure preferably may be made in the form of a solid three-dimensional braid, a three-dimensional braid having at least one interlocking yarn coupling contiguous layers or in the form of a plurality of two-dimensional braided layers adhesively laminated, separately sewn or otherwise connected together to form the three-dimensional braided prosthesis.

Abstract: A solid woven tubular prosthesis having sufficient inherent wall stiffness so as to be radially self-supporting. The solid woven prosthesis is capable of being formed with a smooth, continuous inner wall that improves the hemodynamic flow with respect to conventional woven prosthesis, thereby facilitating the flow of fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A vascular plug delivery system for in vivo delivery of a vascular plug to the site of a puncture in a blood vessel. The device utilizes flashback to ensure that the plug is properly positioned adjacent the puncture prior to delivery of such plug, thereby ensuring complete hemostasis of the puncture.

Abstract: A direct vision prostate balloon catheter for treating benign prostate hyperplasia to dilate a prostate gland to reduce constriction of the urethra is provided. The catheter includes an expandable balloon and a sighting device such as a cystoscope telescopic lens proximal to the veru montanum to assist in properly positioning the expandable member. The balloon can have a thickened distal end and an overlapping proximal end to prevent undesirable migration during expansion. Alternatively, the balloon can be mounted on two tubes, one slidable axially inside the other to control balloon extension during expansion of the balloon. This construction provides advantages such as proper dilation of the prostatic urethra and helps prevent undesirable dilation of the external sphincter.

Abstract: A woven synthetic fabric tubular vascular graft including, a stiffening component in the filling yarn is self supporting without crimping the walls of the graft. The graft is woven from warp ends of multifilament polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns in the warp and a filling yarn which includes multifilament and monofilament polyester yarns which have been twisted together. Longitudinal and radial compliance provide for improved kink resistance making the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has an outer velour surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: A ravel-resistant, self-supporting woven synthetic fabric vascular graft including a fusible fiber integrated into the weave in the filling yarn is provided. The graft is woven from multifilament polyester warp yarns which can be textured or flat. The filling yarn includes a low melting fusible fiber or resin which can be combined with a stiff monofilament. The monofilament component provides radial rigidity to improve kink and crush resistance. After heat setting, the low melting fusible resin fuses to orthogonal warp yarns at each intersection and provides ravel resistance to the finished graft. Improved kink resistance make the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has a single velour outer surface and a smooth inner surface.

Abstract: A tissue sampling instrument or device for use with a two-part needle assembly having an outer cannula and an inner stylet, includes first and second carriage structures for displacing the respective stylet and cannula. The instrument also includes a drive carriage structure which provides separate and sequential engagement and displacement of the two needle carriage structures during operation of the instrument. The drive carriage structure first engages and displaces the stylet carriage, and thereafter engages and displaces the cannula carriage in order to produce sequential motions of the stylet and cannula in the operation to capture the tissue sample. The drive carriage structure also includes means for releasing the engagement of the stylet carriage at the termination of its driven displacement prior to the sequentially successive engagement of the cannula carriage structure.

Abstract: A collagen impregnated vascular graft including drug materials complexed with the collagen to be released slowly from the graft following implant. The graft is a porous synthetic vascular graft substrate having collagen fixed to the graft substrate and cross-linking the collagen in situ to render the porous substrate blood-tight. The drug materials complexed with the collagen fibrils may include antithrombic agents, antibacterial, antimicrobial agents, antifungal agents and the like.

Abstract: A dilatation catheter having an outer tubular balloon portion with length-wise circumferential crimps having at either end transition portions with longitudinal crimps across the axis and an inner catheter is provided. The distal transition portion is fastened to the distal end of the inner catheter tube which extends beyond the distal end of the outer tube and the balloon portion while the proximal transition portion is connected to the distal end of the outer catheter tube. The balloon portion expands readily to a predetermined diameter while undergoing little change in length with an extension of the transition portions so that relative movement of the inner and outer catheter tubing is not required. Accordingly, minimum shear forces occur at the interface of the expanded balloon surface and the interior vessel wall.

Abstract: A ravel-resistant, self-supporting woven synthetic fabric vascular graft including a fusible fiber integrated into the weave in the filling yarn is provided. The graft is woven from multifilament polyester warp yarns which can be textured or flat. The filling yarn includes a low melting fusible fiber or resin which can be combined with a stiff monofilament. The monofilament component provides radial rigidity to improve kink and crush resistance. After heat setting, the low melting fusible resin fuses to orthogonal warp yarns at each intersection and provides ravel resistance to the finished graft. Improved kink resistance make the tubular grafts suitable for use in medium and small diameter peripheral applications. A preferred graft has a single velour outer surface and a smooth inner surface.