Abstract: A method for forming a wave form for a stent includes moving a first forming portion of a first forming member across an axis along which a formable material is provided in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the axis to engage and deform the formable material while engaging the formable material with a first forming portion of the second forming member. The method includes moving the first forming portion of the first forming member and the first forming portion of the second forming member across the axis in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction to draw and form the formable material over the first forming portion of the second forming member, disengaging the first forming member from the formable material, and rotating the first forming member to position a second forming portion of the first forming member to face the formable material.

Abstract: Described herein are hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donating polymers and polymer systems suitable for coating or forming medical devices and methods for making and using the same. More specifically, described are H2S donating polymers comprising at least one monomer with at least one basic group that can be complexed with H2S to form a charged H2S complex. The H2S donating polymers can provide controlled release of H2S once implanted at or within the target surgical site. The H2S donating polymers can be coated onto a medical device, formed into a medical device or combined with one or more other polymers to form a polymer system.

Abstract: Catheter devices, systems and methods wherein linear electrode arrays are disposed on catheters that penetrate through tissue such that the electrodes of the array may be used to sense properties of surrounding tissue or body fluid. The invention is useable for various purposes, including the delivery of a substance, article or device to a specific target location within the body of a human or animal subject.

Abstract: A stent-graft includes a short tube graft and patch located inside of a primary graft. The patch forms a smooth and reliably sealed transition between the primary graft and the short tube graft. Accordingly, the disruption to fluid, e.g., blood, flowing through the lumen of the primary graft by the short tube graft is minimal. Further, the patch supports the inner end of the short tube graft. Thus, the patch, the short tube graft and the primary graft form a stable three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A stent delivery system for delivering a self-expanding stent includes a keel. The keel is used to pass a pushrod and a guidewire into a sheath through the tubular sidewall of the sheath, i.e., not through the lumen opening at the proximal end of the sheath. Accordingly, the entire length of travel of the proximal end of the sheath during deployment of the stent is not required to be inside of the handle, allowing the handle to be short. Since the handle is short, the handle is easy to manipulate.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of movable crown portions. When the stent is expanded, the crown portions move to a diameter recoil prevention position. One embodiment of the invention includes crown portions that translate from a concave to a convex configuration with respect to the strut portions of the stent during expansion of the stent. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method reducing diameter recoil of stent upon expansion of the stent.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to contribute to improved stent graft fixation within vessels at treatment sites. Improved stent graft fixation within vessels at treatment sites is provided by providing stent grafts and methods of making and using stent grafts with bare metal portions comprising a substance that promotes an inflammatory response, such as wrapping bare metal portions of the stent graft with sutures.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the positioning of one or more flexible stent graft fenestrations are disclosed. The stent graft may be for repair of an aneurysm proximate a branch vessel. The stent graft includes a primary graft having an anchoring device, a graft material forming a central lumen and at least one flexible fenestration in a side wall thereof. A fenestration positioning member extends within the stent graft central lumen and has a distal end removably attached to the stent graft proximate the at least one flexible fenestration. The fenestration positioning member may include a tubular member having a wire extending there through, wherein a sidewall of the tubular member includes an aperture through which a loop of the wire extends and removably attaches to the fenestration.

Abstract: A photopolymerization system includes a catheter having a proximal inflatable member, a distal inflatable member, a fluid delivery lumen, and a fluid drainage lumen. The fluid delivery lumen includes at least one delivery port and the fluid drainage lumen at least one drainage port. The ports are positioned between the proximal inflatable member and the distal inflatable member. A light emission member is positioned adjacent the catheter. In a method of treating a vascular condition, the catheter is delivered to a treatment site within a vessel. The first and second inflatable members are expanded to form an enclosed treatment space within the vessel. Fluid is delivered to the treatment space through fluid delivery lumen. Excess fluid is removed from the treatment space through the fluid drainage lumen. The treatment space is exposed to light. A portion of the fluid is polymerized within the treatment space upon exposure to the light.

Abstract: A method for constructing stent retention features on a pre-formed stent deployment balloon includes folding the pre-formed balloon into a folded configuration for subsequently retaining an undeployed stent. The balloon is then inserted in the folded configuration into at least one sheath defining a pattern of openings. The balloon is then heated and pressurized to force exterior portions of the balloon into the openings and thereby form protruding stent retention features as part of the balloon. A stent may then crimped around the balloon in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A flexible elongate device having a distally mounted occluder for collecting particulate debris in a body lumen. The occluder containing a fixed amount of fluid is reversibly expandable by push-pull actuation from a contracted configuration to a deployed configuration wherein the occluder is expanded into sealing engagement with the wall of the body lumen. The occluder has a distal end axially secured to an elongate inner member and a proximal end attached to a distal end of an outer tubular member. The occluder has an impermeable occluder casing for containing the occluder fluid. The elongate inner member is slidable within the outer tubular member such that relative longitudinal movement between the elongate inner member and outer tubular member changes the length of the occluder and thus redistributes the occluder fluid within the occluder casing to transform the occluder between its contracted and deployed configurations.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided that includes a tubular graft and an expandable annular support structure. The annular support structure is coupled to the tubular graft so that the graft and support structure, in combination, provide columnar support while maintaining prosthesis flexibility. The prosthesis has sufficient strength and durability to withstand loads applied during deployment and sufficient flexibility to permit implant in a sealing arrangement within a tortuous body lumen. An embodiment according to the invention provides a plurality of annular structures with staggered, longitudinally overlapping apices of undulating structures. One embodiment relates to tubular grafts for endoluminal placement within a body lumen, including blood vessels, and for the treatment of abdominal and other aneurysms.

Abstract: In one aspect, a stent delivery system includes a catheter having two or more pullwire lumens evenly spaced about the central axis of the catheter and thereby balanced within the catheter. Pullwires are positioned in the pullwire lumens. Proximal portions of the pullwires are attached to a connector, which is attached to a master pullwire. The connector has a given range of motion that allows the pullwires to move within the pullwire lumens, thereby ensuring full flexibility of the catheter. The pullwires assume different lengths. A pullwire positioned over the outer curve of a flexed catheter may be longer than a pullwire positioned within the inner curve of the catheter, preventing the catheter from being straightened or displaced by the action of retracting the pullwires. The catheter may serve as either an inner member on which a stent is mounted or a sheath enclosing a stent.

Abstract: A catheter and a guidewire exchange system includes a catheter and a guide member. The catheter includes a lumen extending through the shaft and sized to receive the guidewire, and a longitudinal guideway enabling transverse access from the shaft exterior surface to the lumen. The guide member includes a housing, a catheter passageway extending through the housing and adapted to slidably receive the catheter, a guidewire passageway extending from one end of the housing into the catheter passageway and including a tube adapted to merge the guidewire transversely through the guideway and into the first lumen, and a user-activated device positioned in the guidewire passageway and including a clamping body adapted to clamp the guidewire and thereby secure the guidewire in the guidewire passageway.

Abstract: A tip delivery system includes a tip, a tip support structure and a dissolvable joint connecting the tip to the tip support structure. To separate the tip from the tip support structure, a dissolving liquid is delivered to the dissolvable joint. The dissolving liquid reacts, e.g., enzymatically, with the dissolvable joint and dissolves the dissolvable joint.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a catheter assembly. A lumen extends through the catheter assembly and terminates with an exit port. The lumen being configured to receive a guide wire therein. The catheter assembly comprises a flexible distal segment having a predetermined length and a first predetermined outer diameter, a proximal segment having a second outer diameter greater than that of the first outer diameter, and an intermediate tapered section between the first proximal segment and the distal segment.