Abstract: An embolization device for positioning in a blood vessel comprises an elongated wire body (1) which in its unloaded condition has a predetermined shape and has an elongated shape with a substantially straight center line during its insertion through a catheter (18) to a placement site in the blood vessel and after its release from the catheter assumes a complexly curved shape which depends on the predetermined shape and on the blood vessel impact on the wire body. In its predetermined shape the wire body has at least one section (4) located between its front and back ends in which the center line has substantially no curvature or such a small curvature that along a length of at least 20 mm it follows a helix-free path. The front end section (2, 2?, 2??) of the wire body is adapted to be frictionally locked to the vessel wall when discharged from the catheter, before said helix-free section (4) has been discharged from the catheter.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) having a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) each having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: An embolization device for positioning in a blood vessel comprises an elongated wire body (1) which in its unloaded condition has a predetermined shape and has an elongated shape with a substantially straight center line during its insertion through a catheter (18) to a placement site in the blood vessel and after its release from the catheter assumes a complexly curved shape which depends on the predetermined shape and on the blood vessel impact on the wire body. In its predetermined shape the wire body has at least one section (4) located between its front and back ends in which the center line has substantially no curvature or such a small curvature that along a length of at least 20 mm it follows a helix-free path. The front end section (2, 2″, 2′″) of the wire body is adapted to be frictionally locked to the vessel wall when discharged from the catheter, before said helix-free section (4) has been discharged from the catheter.

Abstract: An embolization device for positioning in a blood vessel comprises an elongated wire body (1) which in its unloaded condition has a predetermined shape and has an elongated shape with a substantially straight center line during its insertion through a catheter (18) to a placement site in the blood vessel and after its release from the catheter assumes a complexly curved shape which depends on the predetermined shape and on the blood vessel impact on the wire body. In its predetermined shape the wire body has at least one section (4) located, between its front and back ends in which the center line has substantially no curvature or such a small curvature that along a length of at least 20 mm it follows a helix-free path. The front end section (2, 2″, 2′″) of the wire body is adapted to be frictionally locked to the vessel wall when discharged from the catheter, before said helix-free section (4) has been discharged from the catheter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device graft arrangement comprising a main graft and at least one peripheral graft wherein the grafts are expandable. Upon insertion of the peripheral graft(s) into the main graft, the peripheral grafts expand and seal the junction of the graft arrangement to provide fluid communication between the lumens of the main and peripheral grafts. The graft arrangement optionally has a cover folded in such a manner to provide further sealing.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) have a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) each having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) has a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: An expandable endovascular stent comprises a flexible, tubular body (1) with a longitudinal axis, the wall of which is formed by interconnected, closed lattice cells (2) arranged with at least two cells adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Filament-shaped lattice material capable of transmitting compressive forces in the axial direction of the filament extends continuously from one lattice cell directly into the lattice cell following in the longitudinal direction. The stent can be expanded from a radially compressed state into a radially expanded state having a larger diameter. In the expanded state of the stent, the pressure transmitting lattice material in several of the lattice cells (2) forms a heart-like or arrowhead-like shape with at least two interconnected diverging, angle .beta. cell sides (5) positioned opposite to and interconnected with at least two mutually converging, angle .alpha. longer cell sides (3).

Abstract: A closure prosthesis and transcatheter delivery system are disclosed, wherein the closure prosthesis seals across an opening of a fluid passageway within a living body. The closure prosthesis is a flexible disk including a flexible ring and diaphragm having a plurality of hollow flexible wire segments attached thereto. Delivery of the closure prosthesis is accomplished using a hollow sheath and a pusher catheter slidable within the sheath, wherein filaments are looped through the wire segments to releasably connect the disk to the pusher catheter. The disk is resiliently compressed within the sheath and, upon release therefrom, the disk resiliently expands into a larger, unrestrained shape. Tension applied to the filaments resiliently bends the wire segments so that they may be drawn through the opening of the defect. Upon releasing the filaments from the disk, the wire segments resiliently expand to trap the disk in place to seal across the opening.

Abstract: An expandable endovascular stent comprises a flexible, tubular body (1) with a longitudinal axis, the wall of which is formed by interconnected, closed frame cells (2) arranged with at least two cells adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. Filament-shaped frame material capable of transmitting compressive forces in the axial direction of the filament extends continuously from one frame cell directly into the frame cell following in the longitudinal direction. The stent can be expanded from a radially compressed state into a state having a larger diameter. In the expanded state of the stent, the pressure transmitting frame material in several of the frame cells (2) forms a heart-like or arrowhead-like shape with two interconnected shorter cell sides (5) positioned opposite to and interconnected with two mutually converging longer cell sides (3).

Abstract: An assembly for positioning an embolization coil (4) in the vascular system. The assembly includes a guidewire having a relatively flexible distal section (6), which has a central core (7) and a threading coil (10), the distal turns (11) of which are arranged with such mutual spacing (12) that the embolization coil can be threaded in and out of the threading coil. The distal end section of the guidewire is manufactured with an elongated, rotationally symmetrical member, such as cylindrical member (13), and the peripheral surface of the member is provided with a bonding layer (25). Then the distal turns of the threading coil are positioned in the desired helical shape on the external side of the member, and the bonding layer is activated so that the distal turns are fixed to the member in this shape.

Abstract: An introducer (10) method of percutaneously deploying a self-expanding stent (14) in a body vessel or duct (43). The stent introducer includes an outer elongated member tube (11) having a passage (12) extending longitudinally therein and operable in a first direction (13) for deploying the self-expanding stent in a collapsed condition from the outer member passage. An inner elongated member (15) is positioned in the outer member passage and is operable in a second direction (16) for deploying the stent from the outer member passage. An interconnection mechanism (17) is connected to the outer and inner members for operation thereof, whereby a stent in a collapsed condition is deployed from the outer member passage to an expanded condition. When deployed, the expanded portion of the stent remains fixedly positioned longitudinally in the body vessel or duct as the remaining portion is deployed from the outer member passage.

Abstract: A medical article for implantation into the vascular system of a patient comprises a self expanding body shaped substantially into the form of a body (1; 2) of revolution, at least part of the surface of which is defined by wire members (3) forming cells of a generally polygonal shape. The body of revolution has a diameter increasing continuously in an axial direction of the body from one end forming an apex (4) towards the opposite end forming a base (5). In a preferred embodiment, the body (1; 2) of revolution is defined by a generatrix forming n-th order curve. The article may comprise two bodies (1; 2) of revolution joined at their apices (4). The article may be used, in particular as an intravenous filter for the capture of thrombi or in combination with an elastic blood impermeable membrane flexibly linked to the apex of the body of revolution as an occlusion device for closing a vessel lumen or defects such as ASD or PDA in vascular walls.

Abstract: A closure prosthesis and transcatheter delivery system includes a closure prosthesis for sealing across all opening of a fluid passageway within a living body. The closure prosthesis is a flexible disk including a flexible ring and diaphragm having a plurality of hollow flexible wire segments attached thereto. Delivery of the closure prosthesis is accomplished using a hollow sheath and a pusher catheter slidable within the sheath, wherein filaments are looped through the wire segments to releasably connect the disk to the pusher catheter. The disk is resiliently compressed within the sheath and, upon release therefrom, the disk resiliently expands into a larger, unrestrained shape. Tension applied to the filaments resiliently bends the wire segments so that they may be drawn through the opening of the defect. Upon releasing the filaments from the disk, the wire segments resiliently expand to trap the disk in place to seal across the opening.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) has a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring-shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fragmentation of a lung embolus. The apparatus includes a catheter that is introduced over a guide wire to the site of the lung embolism in the vascular system of a patient. When the guide wire is withdrawn from the distal end segment of the catheter, the distal end segment bends back proximally. An opening in the bend of the catheter is in line with the central axis of the catheter when the distal end segment is in a curved configuration. The guide wire is then advanced to extend distally from the catheter opening past the embolism and stabilize the longitudinal position of the catheter in the blood vessel. The apparatus also includes a thread for pulling the bent distal end segment into a generally oval-shaped loop condition and stabilizing the loop about the embolism. The looped catheter is then rotated and moved longitudinally back and forth for mechanically destroying the embolism.

Abstract: A self-expanding stent assembly and methods for the manufacture thereof and for introduction of such a stent assembly into a body passage or duct of a patient. A self-expanding endovascular stent assembly comprises at least one stent segment (7, 8) formed by a single piece of wire arranged in a closed zig-zag configuration with struts (10) joining each other joints (11) and a covering sleeve (9). The stent segment (7, 8) is compressible from an expanded condition with a first radius (R) into an introduction condition with second radius (r). The struts (10) are retained solely by the sleeve (9), which is relatively inelastic and has a thickness of not more than 1 percent of the first radius (R).

Abstract: An endovascular graft prosthesis for arrangement at or in the vicinity of a bifurcation in the arterial system of a patient, e.g. for the purpose of repairing an aneurysm or the aortic bifurcation comprises a substantially tubular main body for location in the principal upstream arteria above the bifurcation such as th aorta and substantially tubular legs joining said main body in a bifurcation and extending into each of two branch arteries such as the iliac arteries. The main body (8) is substantially bag-shaped with an open proximal upstream end and a distal downstream bottom region in which two outlet openings (9, 10) are provided and is attachable to the inner side of the principal arteria (2) by means of an expandable stent device (11).

Abstract: Thrombi are fragmented by a rotating action body secured on a torsion-resistant flexible shaft. The shaft is journalled in two parts of an internal catheter between which the action body is located. A grid surrounding the action body is formed by curved biassed resilient legs which connect the two parts of the internal catheter together.