Abstract: A gasket comprising a first discrete component and a second discrete component, wherein the first and second components extend along the length of the gasket. The second component is arranged ranged relative to the first component so as to separate the first component at least from one of the two sealing surfaces. The first component is relatively hard in at least the thickness direction of the gasket and preferably incompressible and the second component is relatively soft in at least the thickness direction of the gasket and compressible. When the gasket is compressed between two flanges, there is a limited region of high compression, because the first component increases the pressure by which the second component is compressed between the surfaces of the flanges. This yields a high leak tightness of the sealing at a relatively low force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of using medical cutting tools for treating aortic septal dissections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-evertable blood filter that divides the transverse cross sectional area of a venous vessel into three annular regions or zones. The inner zone, the region immediately surrounding the longitudinal axis of the vessel, is maintained in a relatively open state with only minimal interference from the members making up the filter device so that blood flow can be maintained at a relatively normal rate. Concentrically surrounding the inner zone is the intermediate zone, to which captured emboli are directed out of the bloodstream passing primarily through the inner zone. Finally, concentrically surrounding the intermediate zone is the outer zone adjacent to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A vascular graft incorporating a stent into a portion of its length. While various materials may be used for the vascular graft, the graft is preferably an ePTFE graft. The stent is preferably a self-expanding stent, although it may alternatively be a balloon expandable stent. The vascular graft preferably has a continuous inner tubular liner that extends between the opposing ends of the graft and provides a continuous luminal surface for blood contact that is uninterrupted by seams or joints. The length portion of the graft that does not include the stent has a greater wall thickness than does the portion including the stent.

Abstract: A stent-graft including a helically-wound stent component provided with a covering of graft material. It is removable from the site of implantation by gripping an end of the helically-wound stent component with a retrieval device and applying tension to the stent component. The use of such a retrieval device allows the stent-graft to be removed remotely, such as via a catheter inserted into the body at a different location from the implantation site. The design of the stent-graft is such that the stent component is extended axially while the adjacent portion of the graft separates between windings of the stent component. The axial extension of the stent component, with portions of the graft still joined to the stent component, allows the device to be unravelled and removed through a catheter of diameter adequately small to be inserted into the body cavity that contained the stent-graft.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an endoprosthesis comprising a graft component and at least one support component with varying compressibility along the length of the endoprosthesis. In various embodiments, the endoprosthesis comprises at least a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is more compressible than the second. In another embodiment having a second segment between the first and third segments, the third segment can also be more compressible than the second segment. Alternatively, in an embodiment, a second segment can have greater rigidity than a first segment, as well as a third segment, if present.

Abstract: There is described inter alia a device having a surface comprising a layered coating wherein the outer coating layer comprises a plurality of cationic hyperbranched polymer molecules characterized by having (i) a core moiety of molecular weight 14-1,000 Da (ii) a total molecular weight of 1,500 to 1,000,000 Da (iii) a ratio of total molecular weight to core moiety molecular weight of at least 80:1 and (iv) functional end groups, whereby one or more of said functional end groups have an anti-coagulant entity covalently attached thereto.

Abstract: Described embodiments are directed toward prosthetic valve leaflets of particular configurations that control bending character. In embodiments provided herein, a valve leaflet is provided with a planar zone that is bounded at a planar zone base by a straight line, wherein the leaflet is operable to bend along a base of the planar zone.

Abstract: A medical device processing system is provided which includes a support wall having a support surface for supporting a medical device thereon, such as a graft device. The support wall is generally translucent to allow light to pass therethrough to illuminate a medical device supported on the support surface. The support wall can be formed from other suitable materials that are clear or at least translucent to allow light from a light emitting member to pass therethrough to illuminate the medical device. The support wall and/or the support surface can have any shape suitable to support and allow optimal transmission of light toward the medical device. The support wall can be generally tubular shaped to support tubular shaped medical devices, such as stent grafts.

Abstract: A catheter assembly includes an expandable device that is disposed at a distal end of a catheter and expandable toward a fully deployed outer dimension. A fiber extends from the catheter and is releasably coupled to a side wall of the expandable device near or at an end of the expandable device to maintain an inner curvature of the expandable device as the expandable device is deployed.

Abstract: Laminates are described having a durable outer film surface for use in making lightweight liquidproof articles of apparel, such as outerwear garments. A method of making the laminate and a lightweight outerwear garment having an abrasion resistant exterior film surface is described.

Abstract: Laminates are described having a durable outer film surface for use in making lightweight liquidproof articles, including articles of apparel, such as outerwear garments. A method of making the laminate and a lightweight outerwear garment having an abrasion resistant exterior film surface is described.

Abstract: Devices and techniques for modifying and maintaining a configuration of an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices and techniques relate particularly to, but are not limited to, modifying and maintaining a configuration of a PFO occluder made from a polymer tube. The proximal portion of a catch member may be provided with one or more protrusions, or arms, or bump or other raised element for securing the occluder in a partial or fully deployed configuration, either temporarily or permanently.

Abstract: Embodiments herein include devices and methods directed toward creating reverse flow within a vessel and thereby providing protection against embolic debris. Embodiments comprise a catheter and a plurality of occluders that are expandable and adjustable within a lumen to create low-pressure areas that reroute blood flow and embolic debris therein.

Abstract: This document provides implantable intralumenal 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: Composite filter media which are highly resistant to thermal degradation and retain filter efficiency and extended lifetime in high temperature environments are disclosed. Methods of making the filter media are also disclosed. A composite filter media for removal of particles from a gas stream includes a layer of a porous polymeric membrane, the layer having an upstream side and a downstream side relative to the direction of the gas stream; and at least one layer of an electrostatic microfiber web containing an antioxidant in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight; the at least one layer of microfiber web disposed on the upstream side of the porous polymeric membrane layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piece of garment, e.g. in the form of a glove, comprising an outer layer that encloses at least one interior space which is provided with an opening for accommodating a body part such as a hand and is subdivided into at least two adjoining chambers. Each chamber encompasses at least one chamber opening that is arranged in the opening of the interior space and selectively accommodates the body part such as a hand. The material of each chamber can be constructed with at least one layer of protective material which can be provided with an insulating material, a functional layer material, a cut-resistant material, a heat-resistant and/or a flame-proof material, for example. The inventive design allows the user of the glove to selectively put his/her hand into one of the chambers that are provided, according to the desired protective effect, while the unused chamber lies in the interior space in a compressed manner.

Abstract: Large diameter self-expanding endoprosthetic devices, such as stents and stent grafts for delivery to large diameter vessels, such as the aorta, are disclosed having very small compacted delivery dimensions. Devices with deployed dimensions of 26 to 40 mm or more are disclosed that are compacted to extremely small dimensions of 5 mm or less, enabling percutaneous delivery of said devices without the need for surgical intervention. Compaction efficiencies are achieved by combining unique material combinations with new forms of restraining devices, compaction techniques, and delivery techniques. These inventive devices permit consistent percutaneous delivery of large vessel treatment devices. Additionally, small endoprosthetic devices are disclosed that can be compacted to extremely small dimensions for delivery through catheter tubes of less than 1 mm diameter.

Abstract: A true tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) copolymer of the fine powder type is provided, wherein the copolymer contains polymerized comonomer units of at least one comonomer other than TFE in concentrations of at least or exceeding 1.0 weight percent, and which can exceed 5.0 weight percent, wherein the copolymer is expandable, that is, the copolymer may be expanded to produce strong, useful, expanded TFE copolymeric articles having a microstructure of nodes interconnected by fibrils. Articles made from the expandable copolymer may include tapes, membranes, films, fibers, and are suitable in a variety of end applications, including medical devices.

Abstract: Laminates are described having a durable outer film surface for use in making lightweight liquidproof articles, including articles of apparel, such as outerwear garments. A method of making the laminate and a lightweight outerwear garment having an abrasion resistant exterior film surface is described.