Abstract: A guide wire (1) to assist percutaneous endovascular deployment which has zones of varying stiffness. An elongate central zone (3) of high stiffness, a proximal zone (4) of transition from high stiffness to semi-stiffness and a distal zone (5) of transition from high stiffness to being relatively flexible. The distal zone (5) has three zones, a semi stiff zone (11) adjacent the central zone, a transition zone (13) being of flexibility of from semi-stiff extending to flexible and a tip zone (15) being of high flexibility. The distal tip has a small J curve (16) to ensure that it is atraumatic in vessels and to prevent damage to the aortic heart valve. The distal zone (5) can also have a large curve to assist with anchoring the guide wire into the aortic arch.

Abstract: An arrangement for mounting a stent graft prosthesis (1) onto a deployment device (2) with a retention arrangement (3) which includes retention at a number of points of the circumference of the proximal end of the stent graft prosthesis (1). The arrangement provides a greater circumferential distance (13) between two adjacent retention points (9) then other of the points. When the deployment device is deployed in a curved lumen such as the thoracic arch it is oriented so that the greater circumferential distance (13) is on the inner side of the curve.

Abstract: A fastening for fixing an exposed stent (2) to a graft material (1). At least two spaced apart fastenings (7, 8) are used, each fastening has at least one turn and preferably two turns of an elongate flexible fibre through the graft material and around a portion of the stent. Each fastening has a knot (9) which is at least two thumb knots and preferably four thumb knots.

Abstract: An endovascular stent graft assembly (10) for use with abdominal aorta aneurysms (70) and having a main stent graft body (12) and a separate attachment graft tube (14) that extends proximally therefrom having the proximal attachment stent (50) thereon for infrarenal attachment of the assembly (10) to the aorta (74). A distal end portion (44) of the attachment graft tube (14) underlies the proximal end portion (30) of the main stent graft body (12) and presses outwardly there against forming a a friction fit, at an overlapping region (64). The main stent graft body (12) has an ipsilateral leg (22) and a contralateral stump (24) at the bifurcation (26); and prior to deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the main stent graft body is pulled against the vessel bifurcation (72). After deployment of the attachment graft tube (14), the contralateral leg (16) is deployed at the contralateral stump to complete the stent graft assembly (10).

Abstract: A trigger wire guide for a prosthesis deployment device. The prosthesis deployment device has a proximal end extending to a proximal nose cone dilator and having a trigger wire or wires and trigger wire release mechanism to retain the proximal end of a prosthesis adjacent the nose cone dilator. The trigger wire guide retains the trigger wire or wires to prevent fouling of the trigger wire with a prosthesis when the prosthesis is carried on the deployment device. The guide can be crimped or soldered to a guide wire catheter or concentric with it.

Abstract: A multi-piece prosthesis deployment apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending inner body arrangement, an outer deployment sheath arrangement, and axially spaced regions extending between the body arrangement and the sheath, each region serving to contain a respective prosthesis for sequential deployment within a lumen of a patient.

Abstract: A stent graft has a tubular wall (1) defining a main lumen with at least one fenestration (15) in the wall. A tube (17) extends from the fenestration into the main lumen and is in fluid communication with the main lumen. An extension leg stent graft can be deployed from a branch vessel into the fenestration to seal into the tube. A flared guide (89) associated with the fenestration can be provided interiorly or exteriorly. There is also disclosed a bifurcated intraluminal prosthesis having a body (1), a first leg (7) and a second leg (17), the first leg extending from the body and the second leg extending into the body.

Abstract: A perfusion incubator having a fluid conditioning unit (12), a well assembly (7) and a well assembly heating unit (14), a peristaltic pump (4) and a fluid collection unit (11). The well assembly has a number of wells (20, 21) each having a transparent lid (30) and a fluid inlet (26) and a fluid outlet (27). An illumination device (13) is under the well so that the cell being cultured in the well assembly can be observed by means of a microscope (15). Each fluid inlet (26) is positioned so as to allow a tangential entry of fluid to the well at a mid point in the well, and each fluid outlet (27) is above the fluid inlet with the cell to be cultured in a lower portion of the well so that flow of fluid in the well is formed into a vortex which tends to draw fluid from around the cell without direct flow over the embryo.

Abstract: An access valve (2) for a laparoscopic device or a intraluminal deployment device has a cylindrical diaphragm (8) with a longitudinal aperture (3), a flexible member (14) is passed circumferentially around the cylindrical diaphragm and an extension arrangement to pull the flexible member radially and/or tangentially to constrict the diaphragm to at least partially close off the longitudinal aperture. A rotary actuator may be used (12).

Abstract: A prosthesis (18) comprising stents (7,8) sutured to a graft (5) comprising a tube of biocompatible material. The stents are attached to the inside surface of the tube and there is at least one fenestration (10) in the tube corresponding to an intersecting artery opening. A further stent (1) extends proximally and may have caudally facing barbs (2). Each fenestration includes one or more radiopaque markers (11) defining a periphery of the fenestration. A release mechanism for the prosthesis includes trigger wires (15,17) stitched into a fold (16) on the material to retain the prosthesis in a partially compressed state during deployment. A delivery device (20) has a sheath (26) to hold the compressed prosthesis during insertion and a top cap (24) to retain the top stent (1).

Abstract: A medical device which has a connection between a signal generating device and a hollow probe, the connection providing a smooth air conduit from the signal generating device to the hollow probe. The medical apparatus includes the probe having a characteristic which is useful to assist with the positioning of the probe in a human or animal body, and an information encoding component on the probe, a selected value of the information encoding component being corresponding to the characteristic of the probe. An interrogating device interrogates the information encoding device.

Abstract: A humidified medical gas supply apparatus to supply gas such as carbon dioxide for laparoscopic surgery includes a gas supply, a supply controller, and a gas supply tube which has a humidification chamber mounted into it. The chamber has a dampened gas-pervious medium and an electrical heating element. The electrical element may extend along the gas supply tube and be wound around the medium within the chamber. A control controls an electrical supply to the electrical heating element to vary the electrical supply dependent upon a gas flow rate in the supply tube.

Abstract: A medical coupling device (8) as part of a medical system for withdrawing an ovum from a follicle. The coupling device has an inner chamber (3) that is formed from first (1) and second (2) parts, which are press-fitted together or slidably fitted together by means of male and female engagement parts (6). The inner chamber has a pair of axial openings (4) for receiving a first conduit (9) and a lateral opening (5) for receiving a second conduit (10) therein. In one embodiment, the first conduit includes a single lumen and a side port (11) of which the second conduit is in fluid communication with the single lumen of the first conduit in the inner chamber of the coupling device. In a second embodiment, the first conduit includes multiple lumens (12,13), of which only one of the lumens of the first conduit has a side port that is in fluid communication with the second conduit in the inner chamber of the coupling device.

Abstract: A method of and system for mounting a vascular occlusion balloon on a delivery catheter. The occlusion balloon has an interior and a neck having access to the interior and a self-sealing internal balloon valve positioned at least partially in the neck. The mounting system includes a stylet having a distal end that is insertable through the longitudinal passageway of a peel-away sheath and through the internal balloon valve and into the interior of the occlusion balloon. When the stylet is inserted in the occlusion balloon, the peel-away sheath is advanced through the valve into the interior of the balloon. The stylet is removed from the balloon and peel-away sheath, and a soft durometer, flexible tip delivery catheter inserted into the interior of the balloon through the peel-away sheath. The sheath is peeled away from the delivery catheter and out of the internal balloon valve and the interior of the balloon.