Abstract: A stent graft introducer has a nose cone dilator (8) and a distally opening capsule (18) on the nose cone dilator, a balloon guide (2, 30) extending into the capsule and affixed therein. Upon completion of deployment of a stent graft, a balloon catheter (96) including an inflatable balloon (98) thereon can be advanced over the balloon guide at least partially into the nose cone whereby the balloon can be inflated therein to provide a smooth transition from the nose cone to a delivery sheath (10) for retraction of the nose cone dilator through the deployed stent graft. The balloon guide can be a separate wire (30).

Abstract: A stent graft (10) is retained on an introducer (38) by retention of an exposed stent (16) of the stent graft to the introducer with trigger wires (44). The introducer has a trigger wire catheter (40) and four trigger wires and each trigger wire extending in a loop from the trigger wire catheter. The stent graft has a tubular body (12) of a graft material and an exposed stent joined to and extending from one end of the tubular body. The exposed stent is a self expanding Z stent with struts (20) and bends (22, 28, 30) between them. A pair of struts and a bend between define an apex a selected apex distance away from the tubular body. Adjacent apices of the exposed stent are different apex distances from the tubular body so that they stack under the trigger wires in an neat fashion. Distally extending barbs (26) on alternate struts of the exposed stent are spaced selected distances from their respective apices to prevent tangling during deployment.

Abstract: A multi-port stent graft delivery device (2) has an annular access lumen (26) between a delivery catheter (24) and a main sheath (6), at least one indwelling access sheath (28, 30) within the access lumen, and an indwelling guide wire (36, 38) within the or each access sheath and a stent graft (16) retained in the delivery device. Upon deployment of the stent graft into the vasculature of a patient the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate stabilisation of the access sheath during cathertisation of a side branch and deployment of a side arm covered or uncovered stent therein through the advanced access sheath. A manifold associated (4) with a handle provides a plurality of access ports (41, 43). A docking balloon may also be used.

Abstract: A prosthesis assembly for deployment in an aorta to span an aortic aneurysm. The prosthesis assembly has at least first and second members (2,4) with an end portion (12) of one member (2) to be joined to an end portion (24) of the other member (4) when in and when expanded within a lumen of a patient. Each member (2,4) has a stent arrangement (10,25) associated with a graft arrangement (8,26). The end portion of one member has at least part of its stent arrangement on the inner surface of its graft arrangement and the end portion of the other member has at least part of its stent arrangement on the inner surface of its graft arrangement. Advantageously two stents are overlapped. The joining portions of the first and second members can have the same diameter.

Abstract: A medical grasping device (1) has an elongate control member (9) with a grasping member (17) proximal to its distal tip. An outer sheath (3) with a passageway therethrough surrounds the elongate control member and is relatively movable with respect to the control member. A control assembly (2) disposed at a proximal end of said outer sheath has a fixed handle (5) and a sliding handle (7) and the proximal end of the elongate control member is fixed to the sliding handle to move the control member. The grasping member (17) has a plurality of pre-formed wire loops (50, 52, 54, 56) which self-deploy transversely upon emerging from said distal end of said outer sheath. Each wire loop is fastened to substantially opposite sides of the elongate control member so that each of said wire loops is substantially semi-circular upon full deployment and the respective ends (27, 29) of each wire loop extend substantially in opposite directions from the elongate control member.

Abstract: A thoracic stent graft (20) has a tubular bio-compatible graft material body (22) with a lumen therethrough with a proximal end (26) and a distal end (27). There is a sealing stent (28) at the proximal end of the tubular body with an anchoring device which may be a barb (30) affixed to the sealing stent. A distal attachment stent (34) with barbs (36) can be affixed to and extend from the distal end (27) of the graft material body. Intermediate stents (24) are provided along the length of the body. The thoracic stent graft can be in one or two portions.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer has a pusher, a nose cone, a region between the pusher and the nose cone for a stent graft, a sleeve extending over the pusher and proximally to the nose cone to cover the stent graft when retained in the region. An indwelling auxiliary catheter with a pre-curved proximal end is fitted into the introducer. The nose cone has an elongate groove and the auxiliary catheter has its proximal end in the elongate groove. In a partially retracted position of the sleeve the curved proximal end of the indwelling auxiliary catheter is exposed and uncovered by the sleeve and in an advanced position of the sleeve the curved proximal end of the indwelling auxiliary catheter is straightened, extends along the length of the groove in the nose cone and is covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent graft prosthesis comprising a graft portion that includes a main body portion and an cuff portion, the cuff portion generally located at or near the proximal end of the main body portion and extending circumferentially therealong. Stents comprising the graft supporting structure are also attached to graft portion about the proximal end. In one embodiment, the cuff portion comprises material that is folded over the outside surface of the main body portion with an anchoring stent being attached over the cuff and main body portions, extending proximally therefrom. In another series of embodiments, the cuff portion comprises an external sealing zone that extends around the outer main body portion to help prevent leakage of fluids. In one example, the material of the second edge of the cuff portion is frayed to better engage the vessel walls and promote thrombus and/or tissue growth.

Abstract: A stent (30) formed from cannula and having flexible segments (31) and high hoop strength segments (32) alternating therealong. Longitudinal struts or tie bars (41) interconnect the segments. Minimal length reduction of the strut occurs upon expansion. In the high hoop strength segment (32), struts (37) in a zig-zag configuration (Gianturco Z-stent) are initially parallel in the unexpanded strut condition. In the flexible segment (31), struts (58) extend from a respective C-shaped bend (59) to converge at the opposite ends thereof when unexpanded. In one embodiment, certain adjacent struts (39–41) of the hoop segment are spaced apart by elongated openings or gaps (46, 48) interposed therebetween and interconnected at their respective ends (42, 44) to form a T-shaped strut interconnection (45). The selected width (50, 51) of the first and third struts (54, 57) increases toward the ends (47, 48) of the elongated openings (46, 48) adjacent the strut interconnection (45).

Abstract: A side branch stent graft (1) suitable for the iliac arteries has a main tubular body (3) of a biocompatible graft material and a tubular side branch (5). The tubular side branch is affixed into the main tubular body so that a side branch lumen is in fluid communication with a main lumen. There is at least one external zig-zag stent (13) on the main tubular body proximal of the tubular side branch, one central external stent (14) which also encompasses the side arm, at least one external zig-zag stent (16) on the main tubular body distal of the tubular side branch and one internal zig-zag stent (15) at the distal end of the main tubular body. A reinforcing ring (9) is around the proximal end of the main tubular body and stitched thereto.

Abstract: A stent assembly (42) adapted for endoluminal placement by endovascular deployment for the treatment of a false lumen (10) associated with a vascular dissection. The stent assembly has a number of self expanding stents (35) connected together to define an elongate substantially cylindrical lumen wall engaging surface. The stents are adapted to provided pressure on the wall of the lumen adjacent to and extending away from a rupture. A deployment device (40) for the stent assembly includes a sheath (48) and a retention and release arrangement (50) to retain the proximal end (37) of the stent graft to the deployment device. Release of the stent assembly is by withdrawal of the sheath before release of its proximal end by the use of a trigger wire (54) of the retention and release arrangement.

Abstract: An endovascular device (1, 100, 200, 300) having a distal end (2), a proximal end (4) and a body portion (3) therebetween. The body portion is made of a multiple filament helically wound row (A) of wires (5), provided with a sealing coating (14) on the inside surface or the outside surface or both. The device may be a catheter (1), a sheath, an introducer, a delivery device, a pusher (100), an embolization coil delivery device (300), or a receptacle (208) for an expandable prosthesis (220) used with a delivery device (200). From 2 to 12, and preferably from 4 to 8, wires (5) are used in the row, and fewer wires may be used proceeding toward the distal end (2) for greater flexibility. The helically wound row of wires transmits torque and provides pushability to the device while resisting kinking, and enables a small outside diameter for reaching very small vessels and extending through very tortuous vessels.

Abstract: A stent graft deployment device adapted for release of a distal end (29) of a stent graft (25) before the proximal end (27) of the stent graft (25). The arrangement (15) allows movement of at least part of the deployment catheter (23) independently of movement of a proximal end release mechanism has a fixed handle (16) associated with a trigger wire release mechanism (6) and a sliding handle (17) to which the deployment catheter and a capsule (21) are fixed. The sliding handle (17) is mounted on the fixed handle (16) and can slide longitudinally with respect to the fixed handle (16).

Abstract: An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated or branched stent graft (13) intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending from it. The introducer (1) has a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end with a nose cone dilator (11) and an arrangement to retain the branched stent graft distally of the nose cone dilator. A sheath (15) on the introducer extends over the branched stent graft to the nose cone dilator. An indwelling catheter (22) extends from the distal end of the introducer and enters the fenestration or side arm and through to the nose cone dilator, the indwelling catheter has a guide wire (29) extending through it. The guide wire can be extended beyond the nose cone dilator in use before the sheath is withdrawn from the branched stent graft so that it can be snared from the contra-lateral artery.

Abstract: A stent graft (20) has a tubular body of graft material (21), a number of self expanding stents (67) associated with the tubular body to define a fluid flow path through the stent graft when the self expanding stents are in their expanded configurations. At least one fenestration (22) in the tubular body is adapted to receive a side arm stent graft (71) to provide a fluid flow path from the tubular body and through the side arm stent graft. The or each fenestration has at least an inner ring (26) and an outer ring (24) and graft material (28) extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and the outer ring being in the tubular body of graft material. The inner ring can be hinged (31) to the outer ring or concentric within the outer ring. An intermediate ring (86) may also be used between the inner and outer rings.

Abstract: A retention system for retaining a stent graft (13) onto a deployment device (1) in which the stent graft has an exposed stent (11) at at least one end. The deployment device has a capsule (7) to receive the exposed stent during deployment and an arrangement to move the capsule to release the exposed stent when required. A release wire (17) associated with the deployment device engages a portion (19) of the exposed stent within the capsule to retain the exposed stent in the capsule. At least one retention loop (25) on the stent graft is connected around the release wire to prevent removal of the capsule from the exposed stent until the release wire has been removed from its engagement with the exposed stent within the capsule and the retention loop is released.

Abstract: A medical device (10) for use in passageways of the human or animal body comprises a catheter (30) having an expandable arrangement (38), such as a balloon arrangement, located at the distal portion of the catheter, and capable of deploying a stent apparatus (20) mounted at the distal portion of the catheter (30). The stent apparatus (20) is a hybrid stent apparatus having a central part (21) that is self-expanding, and end parts (22, 23) that are expandable by the balloon arrangement.

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: 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: An aorta graft device comprising a primary graft part having a proximal end and a first connecting portion at a distal opening, wherein the primary graft part has an anchoring area positioned between an ascending portion extending to said proximal end and a descending portion extending to said distal opening. Furthermore, the ascending portion is corrugated, and the descending portion is at least partially non-corrugated.