Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, and an end cap having one or more protrusions extending therefrom. The protrusions may assist in retraction of end cap into an outer sheath, such as an introducer sheath. In some examples, the protrusion includes fins. In some embodiments, the endoprosthesis delivery system further includes a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis. The protrusions may support the covering member, which may extend beyond the distal end of the endoprosthesis and onto the end cap. In some embodiments, the end cap comprises a tapered profile, which may assist in retraction of the catheter tip and end cap into an outer sheath.

Abstract: Some aspects of the disclosure relate to composite materials and cultivation systems with particular utility for use in aquaculture, for example cultivating various species of seaweed. The systems comprise at least one highly tortuous and often micro-fibrous material and at least one material having low tortuosity. These systems may be configured in a variety of shapes and associated with a number of different structures. Some of these composite materials and cultivation systems may be used in both direct and indirect seeding of macroalgae plants such as seaweed.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes endoluminal devices, such as stents and stent grafts capable of being bent smoothly, with various benefits resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A wire of a nickel-titanium alloy having a permanent set of less than 5% when 11% strain is applied to the wire is disclosed. The wire may be formed by applying a first heat treatment to the wire, the first heat treatment includes applying heat of a first temperature for a first period of time, applying a strain deformation to the wire to set a shape for the wire during the first heat treatment, and applying a second heat treatment to the wire. The second heat treatment includes applying heat of a second temperature different from the first temperature for a second period of time, and the second temperature is between 210° C. and 290° C. The wire may have a modulus of at least 53 GPa when 200 MPa of stress is applied to the wire, and the wire is bonded to a secondary component.

Abstract: Various examples relate to a transcatheter delivery system including a sheath, a delivery catheter, and an implantable device (e.g., a prosthetic valve, a stent, a stent graft, occluder, or vascular filter) maintained in a collapsed configuration by the delivery catheter. The delivery catheter includes a plurality of fiber guides separated by one or more reduced profile sections each having a smaller transverse outer profile than the transverse outer profiles of the fiber guides.

Abstract: Polyparaxylylene (PPX) polymers that can be expanded into porous articles that have a node and fibril microstructure are provided. The fibrils contain PPX polymer chains oriented with the fibril axis. The PPX polymer may contain one or more comonomer. PPX polymer articles may be formed by applying PPX to a substrate by vapor deposition. The nominal thickness of the PPX polymer film is less than about 50 microns. The PPX polymer film may be removed from the substrate to form a free-standing PPX polymer film, which may then be stretched into a porous article. Alternatively, a PPX polymer article can be formed by lubricating PPX polymer powder, heating the lubricated powder, and calendering or ram extruding to produce a preform that can subsequently be stretched into a porous article. The heating and expansion temperatures are from about 80° C. to about 220° C. or from about 220° C. to about 290° C. or from about 290° C. to about 450° C.

Abstract: An assembly includes an acoustic device. The acoustic device can include a polyethylene membrane. The polyethylene membrane can have first direction and a second direction, the second direction being orthogonal to the first direction. The polyethylene membrane can have a surface area per volume of at least 39×106/m. The polyethylene membrane can have a geometric mean tensile modulus of 250 to 750 MPa. The polyethylene membrane can have a maximum tensile modulus in the first direction of 440 to 915 MPa. The polyethylene membrane can have a maximum tensile modulus in the second direction of 275 to 515 MPa. The polyethylene membrane can be an expanded polyethylene membrane.

Abstract: This document provides implantable intraluminal stent graft medical devices. In some embodiments, the stent graft devices provided herein are implantable in bodily conduits that have side branches, and the stent graft devices are operable to allow the flow of fluids between the conduit and the side branches. In some embodiments, the walls of the stent graft devices provided herein include compliant channels which allow for fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the stent graft devices. In some embodiments, the compliant channels are configured to inhibit or reduce tissue ingrowth, tissue bridging, and/or endothelialization.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method that includes disposing a vapor pump partially within an enclosure, such that the vapor pump is in fluid communication with the enclosure and an external environment, and where the enclosure comprises at least one vapor. In some embodiments, a portion of the at least one vapor is transferred with the vapor pump from the enclosure to the external environment. In some embodiments, a change in at least one parameter related to a mass of the at least one vapor within the enclosure is measured. In some embodiments, a rate of the portion of the at least one vapor transferred with the vapor pump from the enclosure to the external environment is calculated. In some embodiments, the rate of the portion of the at least one vapor transferred from the enclosure to the external environment with the vapor pump is calculated based on the change in the at least one parameter.

Abstract: Implantable medical devices for connecting tissue layers, such as for connecting a gallbladder and a portion of a gastrointestinal tract to create an anastomosis, include a tubular structure having a plurality of apposition portions, a central region, and a covering material. The devices are endoscopically deployable and may include open cells or undulating edges that facilitate a secure connection between the tissue structures.

Abstract: A branched graft method includes securing a first end of a branch graft into a first conduit and subsequently moving the second end into a second conduit. The first conduit may be a branch vessel, such as a renal artery and the second conduit may be a main graft that extends over an aortic aneurysm. The branch graft may be deployed starting at an offset distance from the first end, thereby preventing the deployed portion from insertion into the first conduit and predetermining the insertion length into the target vessel. The first end may then be deployed to secure the first end to the first conduit. A branch graft may be a self-expanding stent graft having one or more ripcords, and/or a serpentine ripcord that enables non-linear deployment of the branch graft, or deployment that does not progress from one end to the opposing end.

Abstract: A medical device for sealing a defect in a body includes a wire frame that includes a plurality of wires that form a first occluding member and a second occluding member, the wire frame including a defect-occupying portion disposed between the first occluding member and the second occluding member. The defect-occupying portion is adapted to fill a wide range of potential defect sizes, such that no more than five devices of a range of sizes are required to effectively seal a range of nominal defect sizes of approximately 8 to 35 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for removing moisture from within an enclosure associated with a heat source. The device comprises a desiccant material in a chamber and a first port between the chamber and an outside environment outside. The device includes a second port between the chamber and the enclosure, having a first barrier extending across the second port and comprising an air-impermeable water vapour-permeable moisture transport layer and a second barrier extending across the second port. In use, water vapour within the enclosure permeates through the moisture transport layer and into the chamber, where it is adsorbed by the desiccant material. The desiccant material can be regenerated by heating the device, using the associated heat source. Pressure within the chamber promotes flow of vapour through the first port. Heat is conducted to the first barrier via the second barrier to prevent or reduce condensation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: A microporous biocomposite that is suitable for surgical implantation in an avascular environment is provided. The microporous biocomposite includes (1) a polymer scaffold having a thickness less than about 100 ?m and nodal structures that extend to at least one surface of the polymer scaffold and (2) a hydrophilic coating on the polymer scaffold. In some embodiments, the porous scaffold is a microporous biomaterial with nodal structures that extend from a first surface to a second surface of the microporous biomaterial. The hydrophilic coating may be a node and fibril coating. The microporous biocomposite allows for the integration and sustained viability of epithelial cells on the surface thereof as well as tissue integration and the internal colonization of the biomaterial with other cell types, such as keratocytes and fibroblasts. In at least one embodiment, the microporous biocomposite may be incorporated into an artificial corneal implant or in other avascular mesoplants.

Abstract: A diametrically adjustable endoprosthesis includes a controlled expansion element extending along at least a portion of a graft and is supported by a stent. The controlled expansion element diametrically constrains and limits expansion of the endoprosthesis. Upon deployment from a smaller, delivery configuration, the endoprosthesis can expand to the initial diameter set by the controlled expansion element. Thereafter, the endoprosthesis can be further diametrically expanded (e.g., using balloon dilation) by mechanically altering the controlled expansion element.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an article comprising a membrane. In some embodiments, the membrane comprises a first surface. In some embodiments, the first surface of the membrane comprises an inner region and an outer region. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer is disposed on the outer region. In some embodiments, the article exhibits a water entry pressure that is 25% to 50% higher than a comparative article when tested according to the Assembly Water Entry Pressure Test (“Assembly WEP Test”). In some embodiments, the comparative article is identical to the article except that the inner region of the first surface of the membrane of the article has a perimeter that is 10% to 75% higher than a perimeter of an inner region of a first surface of a membrane of the comparative article.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to implantable encapsulation devices for housing a biological moiety or a therapeutic device that contains a biological moiety. Particularly, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an implantable apparatus that includes a distal end, a proximal end, a manifold including at least one access port positioned either at the distal end or the proximal end, and a plurality of containment tubes affixed to the manifold and in fluid communication with the at least one access port. Additionally, the encapsulation device may contain a flush port and a tube that are fluidly connected to the manifold. The containment tubes may contain therein a biological moiety (e.g., cells) or a therapeutic device (e.g. a cell encapsulation member).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to medical delivery devices that include a barrel having an inner surface that is hydrophobic. The medical delivery device includes a barrel with a hydrophobic inner surface and a stopper that can provide air and liquid impermeability while also possessing on or more of: a low break loose force, a low average glide force, and a low glide force variation. The contact angle of the inner surface of the barrel is greater than 90°.

Abstract: Ocular medicament delivery devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, the ocular medicament delivery devices include multiple microporous layers arranged together to form a microporous body configured to meter dispensing of a medicament to surrounding tissues. In some embodiments, the ocular medicament delivery devices include one or more portions configured to resist tissue ingrowth, and one or more portions configured to permit tissue ingrowth. In some embodiments, the ocular medicament delivery devices deliver one or more medicaments useful in the treatment of glaucoma.