Abstract: The present invention provides a removable vena cava filter for capturing thrombi in a blood vessel. The filter comprises a plurality of primary struts having first ends attached together along a longitudinal axis. Each primary strut has an arcuate segment extending from the first end to an anchoring hook. The primary struts are configured to move between an expanded state for engaging the anchoring hooks with the blood vessel and a collapsed state for filter retrieval or delivery. Each primary strut are configured to cross another primary strut along the longitudinal axis in the collapsed state such that the arcuate segments occupy a first diameter greater than a second diameter occupied by the anchoring hooks in the collapsed state for filter retrieval or delivery.

Abstract: A stent-graft (100) is provided with a tightenable loop element (122) having a first end terminated in a self-tightening knot (142) and a second end (138) which is received in and can slide in the knot (142). The loop (122) is fitted to the stent-graft (100) in a manner as to cause curvature of the stent-graft (100) upon tightening of the loop. An introducer assembly is also disclosed which includes a cannula (132, 150) within which a pull cord (136) and release wire (134) are located.

Abstract: A deployment assembly (10) for an introducer used for introducing into a patient a stent or other device, the deployment assembly including a housing 30 carrying a sprung loaded (90) actuator (44, 50). The actuator includes a toothed wheel (50) carrying a spool (48) around which a retraction strap (44) can be wound. The strap (44) is coupled to a body member (26) of the introducer and through this to the outer sheath (14) thereof. A trigger (16) is provided for operating the actuator (44, 50). When the trigger (16) is pressed, the actuator winds, under the force produced by the spring (90), the strap (44) to thereby retract the outer sheath (14) so as to expose and then deploy the device carried on the introducer. The mechanism is such that a surgeon need not expend his own energy to retract the outer sheath (14) since this force is provided by the spring (90).

Abstract: A stent graft deployment apparatus (10) which has a deployment catheter (11) with a proximal end (5) to be introduced into a patient and a distal end (3) to remain outside a patient and at a proximal end thereof a region to contain a stent graft (21). A sheath (25) extends over and covers the stent graft and can be moved to expose the stent graft to enable deployment of the stent graft. A nose cone dilator (17) is positioned at the proximal end of the deployment catheter and can be curved. A capsule (40) provides a distal retention arrangement for the stent graft.

Abstract: An valve prosthesis, such as an artificial venous valve, having a support frame and leaf structure comprising one or more leaflets in which the outer edge of each leaflet engages the inner circumference of the bodily passageway along a serpentine path urged against the passageway by an expandable frame, while the inner edges move in response to fluid to restrict retrograde flow. Optionally, one or more elements can extend from the support frame/leaf structure to provide centering support and/or protection from the leaflet adhering to the vessel wall. In one embodiment, the centering support structure comprises a second or third expandable frames attached to and extending from the proximal and/or distal ends of main valve structure and support frame. In another embodiment, one or more support elements extend outward from the valve support frame to engage the vessel wall to provide greater longitudinal stability.

Abstract: A stent-graft (100) is provided with a tightenable loop element (104) having a first end terminated in a slip knot or self-tightening knot (112) and a second end which is received in and can slide in the knot (112). The knot (112) is tied by a suture to the stent-graft (100) so as to be fixed thereto. The loop (104) is fitted to the stent-graft (100) in a manner as to pass between the inside to the outside of the graft material and in such a manner that controlled curvature of the stent-graft (100) is possible, in particular control of the overlapping of adjacent stents held within the zone of the loop (104). An introducer assembly is also disclosed which includes a control cannula (120) able to the fixed to the stent-graft (100) during the deployment procedure, as well as a mechanism of suture loops (150, 152) at the proximal end of the stent-graft (100) for retaining this in a constricted form during the process of curving the latter during the deployment process.

Abstract: A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer an can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.

Abstract: A system for delivery of a medical device to a target site within the body of a patient includes an introducer sheath, and a delivery assembly receivable within a passageway of the sheath. The delivery assembly comprises an inner tubular and an outer tubular member. At least a distal portion of the inner tubular member has a diameter such that the medical device is receivable thereover. The outer tubular member is generally coaxial with the inner tubular member, and has a length such that the outer tubular member distal end terminates proximal to the inner tubular member distal portion. The outer tubular member has a first outer diameter at the proximal end and extends for a length of the outer tubular member to a first diameter boundary point. The outer tubular member has a gradual inward taper in the distal direction from the boundary point to a second outer diameter, and has an abrupt outward taper in the distal direction from the second diameter to the first diameter.

Abstract: A rapid exchange implant deployment catheter includes a relatively stiff hypotube (12) and a relatively flexible distal tube (14). A side port (15) for a guide wire is provided towards the distal end of a transition zone (16) between the hypotube (12) and the distal tube (14). The distal end of the hypotube (12) is laser cut to form a plurality of slits (18) between which are formed a plurality of projections (11, 11?). At least one of the projections (11?) extends into the distal tube 14 to a point beyond the position of the side port (15).

Abstract: A fitting device (104) for fitting a stent-graft (100) into a lumen of a patient includes a catheter (110), a cannula (112) reciprocably carried in the catheter (110) and a pair of gripper claws (106) in the cannula (112). The gripper claws (106) grip onto a stent (102) at the proximal end (128) of the stent-graft (100) which a suture loop (108) is tied to a stent (102) at an intermediate position along the stent graft (100). The stent-graft (100) can be curved by pulling the end-most stent (102) backwards, that is by retracting the cannula (112) into the catheter (110) while the gripper claws (106) grip onto the stent (102). The proximal end of the stent-graft (100) can also be adjusted position-wise by moving the cannula (112) into and out of the catheter (110). Thus, precise positioning and curving of the stent-graft (100) can be achieved.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a stent-graft (70) or other device into a vessel of a patient includes a pre-shaped curved cannula (60) made preferably of a shape memory material. The curved cannula can pull the proximal end (74) of the stent-graft (70) against the inner side wall of the vessel thereby to ensure a good leak free connection at this point. The assembly is particularly useful in deploying stent-grafts into the aortic arch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an introduction catheter set for a collapsible self-expandable implant into a blood vessel of a patient. Without being limited thereto the invention is concerned in particular with the introduction of collapsible self-expandable stents or filters of the type comprising a number of diverging legs to secure correct positioning of the implant when arranged in the blood vessel.

Abstract: An implantable vascular filter and method of implantation where the filter is deployed at or near an implantation site and is then radially expanded from its radially compressed configuration under the action of a force controlled remotely by a surgeon, such as by expansion of a balloon in contact with the filter or by applying a force on the filter with the introducer; the expansion is controlled using a means such as control wire, or fluid injector so that the filter adopts a filtering configuration and securely engages with a vessel wall.

Abstract: An inner catheter (36) for use in an endoluminal delivery assembly (10) includes a stiffening element positioned at a transition between a hypotube (36a), a middle tube (36b) and a distal tube (36c) of the inner catheter (36) having different flexibilities. The stiffening element comprises three stiffening wires (42) embedded within the internal wall of the inner catheter (36) at their proximal ends. The stiffening wires (42) extend inwardly and distally to meet at an apex (60).

Abstract: A deployment handle (112) for an implant deployment device (10) facilitates withdrawal of a sheath (18). The deployment handle (112) includes two separate actuators: a trigger (130) and a sliding actuator (330). The trigger (130) can be used to effect small step-wise movement of a carriage (120) that is connected to a sheath (18) to be withdrawn. The sliding actuator (330) can be used to effect continuous movement of a carriage (120) to withdraw a sheath (18). In order to transmit movement of either the trigger (130) or the sliding actuator (330) to the carriage (120), a flexible rack (380) is used. The flexible rack (380) includes upper teeth (390) and lower teeth (395) for engagement with the trigger (130) and the sliding actuator (330) respectively. The ability of the flexible rack (380) to bend back on itself means that unnecessary elongation of the deployment handle (112) is avoided.

Abstract: A system for delivery of a medical device to a target site within the body of a patient includes an introducer sheath, and a delivery assembly receivable within a passageway of the sheath. The delivery assembly comprises an inner tubular and an outer tubular member. At least a distal portion of the inner tubular member has a diameter such that the medical device is receivable thereover. The outer tubular member is generally coaxial with the inner tubular member, and has a length such that the outer tubular member distal end terminates proximal to the inner tubular member distal portion. The outer tubular member has a first outer diameter at the proximal end and extends for a length of the outer tubular member to a first diameter boundary point. The outer tubular member has a gradual inward taper in the distal direction from the boundary point to a second outer diameter, and has an abrupt outward taper in the distal direction from the second diameter to the first diameter.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis with at least one fenestration in a side wall of that prosthesis is disclosed. The fenestration provides an access port through which a medical device (such as a needle or a cannula) can be directed to enable access to the lumen of the blood vessel which the prosthesis is supporting.

Abstract: A rapid exchange balloon catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, said catheter comprising: a tubular metal shaft body extending from the proximal end along a majority of the total length and having an inflation lumen arranged therein, a plastics distal end portion bonded to the metal body in extension thereof, said distal end portion being provided with an inflation lumen in communication with a balloon, and a guide wire lumen, said guide wire lumen extending from a proximal side port to a distal end opening. To reduce the resistance to kinking, the metal body comprises a transitional region having reduced stiffness at the position of bonding to the plastics distal end portion compared to a more proximal position along the metal body.

Abstract: An introducer for use in the implantation and retrieval of a device in a patient includes a catheter (43) within which a stylet (14) is slidably carried, the stylet (14) being biased to a retracted position by a spring (35) and deployable by depression of an actuator (50). A locking device (40) locks the stylet (14) relative to the catheter (43) such that the locking device (40) must be disengaged prior to operation of the actuator (50). In the preferred embodiment, both the locking device (40) and the actuator (50) must be actuated by movement thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the stylet (14). In an alternative embodiment, it is the catheter (43) which moves relative to the stylet (14).

Abstract: A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer and can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.