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 stent graft (10; 40; 80) has a tubular body (12; 42; 82) of a biocompatible material and at least two fenestrations (18, 20; 48, 50; 84, 86, 88). The at least two fenestrations (10, 20; 48, 50; 84, 86, 88) are adjacent each other and each has a tube (24, 26; 54, 55; 90, 92, 94) extending into the tubular body (12; 42; 82). The tubes (24, 26; 54, 55; 90, 92, 94) are joined inside the tubular body (12; 42; 82) into a single larger tube (30; 60; 96) to facilitate catheterization.

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: 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 stent graft delivery arrangement for a stent graft (50) has a proximal end to be deployed into a patient in use and a distal end to remain outside the patient. The stent graft (50) is a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material with a plurality of self expanding stents (54). The stent graft is releasably retained onto the delivery device (132) towards the proximal end thereof. A curve forming arrangement (56) on the stent graft is arranged to curve a portion of the stent graft towards its proximal end. A pulling arrangement (58) extends along the delivery device. The pulling arrangement releasably engages the curve forming arrangement such that pulling on the pulling arrangement causes the a curve forming arrangement on the stent graft to form a curve in a portion of the stent graft towards the proximal end.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a stent for use in a medical procedure that comprises a series of proximal apices disposed at a proximal end of the stent and a series of distal apices disposed at a distal end of the stent. A trigger wire is adapted to be coupled to at least one of the proximal apices to restrain a proximal end of the stent during delivery. In a first embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a bore for receiving the trigger wire, and a second proximal apex, disposed adjacent to the first proximal apex, comprises at least one barb. The trigger wire therefore is only coupled to selected ones of the proximal apices. In an alternative embodiment, a first proximal apex comprises a first bore and a second, adjacent proximal apex comprises a second bore, such that a single trigger wire may be disposed through the first and second bores to restrain the first and second proximal apices during delivery.

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.

Abstract: A flexible stent graft for deployment in a body vessel at a treatment site includes a tubular body, at least a first portion of which comprises a graft material and a coiled stent comprising a plurality of helical turns with spacings between the turns. The coiled stent is affixed to the graft material of the first portion. The first portion has a first portion diameter and the coiled stent has a helix diameter which is substantially the same as the first portion diameter. The coiled stent comprises a ratio of helical pitch to helix diameter of from about 1:2 to about 1:20, where the helical pitch is the spacing between adjacent turns of the coiled stent.

Abstract: A prosthesis, introducer device and a method for repair of an aortic aneurysm which is positioned at least partially in the ascending aorta (62). The prosthesis (3) has a proximal end (15) and a distal end (5) and is formed from a biocompatible material, the proximal end is adapted to be surgically fastened adjacent and around the aortic heart valve (60) of a patient and the distal end is adapted to extend into the descending aorta (66). The distal end has a distally extending exposed self-expanding stent (9). The introducer device can be deployed through an incision (75) in the thoracic arch (64) and extend down the descending aorta to place the distal end of the prosthesis first and then removed so that the proximal end of the prosthesis can be sutured in place around the aortic heart valve (60).

Abstract: An aspiration and flushing needle assembly having separable flushing and aspiration assemblies. The flushing assembly (2) has a flushing needle (27) extending from a handle (25) and a flushing fluid line (35) which can be connected to a source of flushing liquid. The aspiration assembly (1) has an aspiration needle (5) with a connector (9) which connects into the rear of the handle and an aspiration line (13) which can be connected to an aspiration arrangement. The flushing and aspiration needle assemblies are joined for use with the aspiration needle extending coaxially within the flushing needle to the distal end (29) of the flushing needle.

Abstract: An incubation condition monitoring device has at least one reader unit (10) to measure selected characteristics with an incubator (2). The reader unit transmits the information to a receiver/transmitter (12) within the incubator to receive the measurements and to transmit the measurements of the selected characteristics to a data logger (14) outside the incubator. A monitor and display system (16) monitors and displays the measurements of the selected characteristics. The selected characteristics within the incubator can be temperature and pH.

Abstract: A stent graft (1) including a tubular wall (3) with at least one fenestration (40) including a peripheral (37) reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension (15). The side arm includes a stent (19) and a cover (17) and extends from and is in fluid communication with the fenestration and the stent graft. The stent may be a self expanding stent. The ring and/or tubular extension provides better support and sealing for an extension arm. The fenestration (40) can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape (50) with an open end.

Abstract: A method of temporarily reducing the diameter of a stent graft (10) and a stent graft with its diameter reduced. The stent graft has a tubular body and self expanding stents.

Abstract: A mould assembly (60) and a method of use in injection moulding of a part having a functional cavity therein. The mould assembly has a recess (72) to receive a hollow tubular insert (48) intended to be placed in the mould assembly before the injection of a mouldable material into the cavity and to remain in the part after moulding. A gas supply arrangement supplies pressurised gas to the hollow tubular insert at a selected stage during the injection process whereby to form the functional cavity in the part.

Abstract: A stent graft (1) with an internal tube (15) extending from the fenestration (11) within and towards an end of the tubular body (3) of the stent graft. An end of the tube remote from the fenestration is flared into a funnel or elliptical shape (17) to facilitate access into the internal tube from a main lumen of the stent graft. The flared portion is fastened (19) to the wall of the stent graft. The flared portion is held open with a resilient wire ring (21).

Abstract: An introducer (1) adapted for the introduction of a self-expanding endovascular prosthesis (20) in a lumen of a patient. The introducer has attachment devices (10,30) to hold each end of the prosthesis so that each can be moved independently. An end ovascular prosthesis (20) is also claimed with stents at the proximal and distal ends being within the graft. The remainder of the stents are positioned on the outside of the graft body.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for accessing a target site in the anatomy of a patient includes a sheath having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a lumen extending therethrough. At least a portion of the sheath distal end has a curved configuration. A tapered dilator has a proximal end and a distal end, and is sized to be received in the sheath lumen. The dilator has a length such that at least a distal tip portion of the dilator extends beyond the distal end of the sheath when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen. The dilator may be formed of polyurethane, and has a stiffness not exceeding a stiffness of the sheath curved portion such that the sheath substantially maintains the curved configuration when the dilator is received in the sheath lumen.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device (1) comprises first and second separately manipulable introducers (3, 5) with a laparoscopic conduit (80) having first and second ends (83, 84) and an intermediate portion being mounted onto the introducers in a substantially U shape. The first end and a first portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained onto the first introducer and the second end and a second portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained on the second introducer and the intermediate portion extends between the first and second introducers. A main sheath (42) is over the first and second introducers. The endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device is introduced to a body cavity through an endoscopic or laparoscopic port (50).

Abstract: An endovascular delivery device (1) has a portion, such as the nose cone dilator (8), being formed from a radiopaque material and that portion has a selected transverse profile such as a notch (26) so that in a selected rotational orientation of the endovascular delivery device the nose cone dilator can be observed by radiographic means during an endovascular procedure to be in that selected rotational orientation. The selected transverse profile can be a notch, protrusion or aperture. The notch or aperture can be filled with a radio-transparent material to provide a sooth outer surface.

Abstract: A vascular band (1) comprises a biocompatible flexible material (2) and a plurality of radiopaque bars (4) extending transversely across the width of the material and spaced apart along the length of the biocompatible material. The bars provide some rigidity to the flexible material in the width direction thereby preventing buckling of the band in use and the radiopaque nature of the bars enable visualisation of a landing zone for a stent graft during deployment thereof. The bars can be crimped or woven into the material. The band can be stitched, stapled, or hooked around a vessel.