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 system for deploying a stent-graft within a body vessel is provided. The system includes an expandable stent-graft having expandable stent rings attached thereto and a cannula extending through the stent-graft. The system includes a plurality of diameter reducing connectors extending around the circumference of the graft for reducing the diameter of the graft. The system further includes a plurality of trigger wires extending longitudinally along the perimeter of the graft. The trigger wires extend through the diameter reducing connectors to constrain the connectors for reducing the diameter of the stent-graft. The trigger wires are also releasably attached to the apices of a bare stent portion extending from the proximal end of the graft body. The trigger wires can be sequentially retracted to release the bare stent and the diameter reducing connectors to expand the stent-graft radially into engagement with the wall of the body vessel.

Abstract: A system for supporting or dilating a body vessel includes a balloon catheter with a shaft having a delivery lumen in communication with an interior of the balloon. The balloon includes holes formed in the outer wall of the balloon. Additional or daughter balloons are delivered through the delivery lumen into the cavity of the balloon and through the holes into engagement with the holes. The daughter balloons are inflatable to seal against the holes, and the main balloon is subsequently inflatable when sealed by the daughter balloons. The daughter balloons may be delivered to branch vessels to provide support in addition to the inflation of the main balloon. The system may include preloaded wires extending through the delivery lumen and through the holes, and the daughter balloons can be delivered over the wires to the desired location.

Abstract: A stent graft device having a plurality of axially offset rows of radiopaque markers for rotational orientation of the stent graft device. The stent graft device may include an expandable stent frame and attached graft member. Each row of radiopaque markers may include a plurality of radiopaque markers that are evenly spaced. Each row may also include a length that covers a limited portion of the circumference of the stent graft device, where each row is circumferentially offset such that a fluoroscopic projection of the stent graft device illustrates one of a plurality of unique visual orientations of the axially offset rows for use in visually determining a current rotational orientation of the stent graft device.

Abstract: A pre-loaded stent graft delivery device and stent graft, the stent graft delivery device. The stent graft has at least one fenestration or side arm and the fenestration is preloaded with an indwelling guide wire. Indwelling access sheaths are provided within auxiliary lumens of a pusher catheter and dilators are preloaded into the access sheaths along with the indwelling guide wire. The auxiliary lumens have an oblong cross-section. A handle assembly at a distal end of the guide wire catheter. The handle includes a multiport manifold with access ports to the auxiliary lumens in the pusher catheter. Upon deployment of the stent graft, the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate catheterization of a side branch or target vessel through the fenestration or be used to stabilize the access sheath during catheterization, advancement of the access sheath into the target vessel and deployment of a stent therein.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for positioning radiopaque markings on medical stent devices are provided. Specific combinations of adjacent radiopaque markings and overlapping radiopaque markings on the stent devices are presented to provide specific feedback information to an administrator working to guide the stent devices through vessels.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches. In another aspect, the pivotable fenestrations include a first perimeter, a band of flexible material attached and surrounding the first perimeter, a second perimeter attached to and surrounding the band of flexible material and a support frame disposed about a surface of the band of flexible material. The first perimeter, band of flexible material, and second perimeter have a geometric shape. The support frame includes a plurality of support units having curved segments. The curved segments of the support units may be concave with respect to an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A stent graft assembly having a tubular body and a constraining patch attached to the interior surface of the tubular body. The constraining patch delineates a small passageway close to the inner surface of the tubular body. A cannula may extend through the passageway.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stent graft device with improved visualization characteristics and a method for making such a device. The device includes a plurality of radiopaque rings and associated structures, which are folded in a predictable fashion prior to crimping. In some embodiments, a mandrel for biasing the end rings of a ringed structure is utilized. In other embodiments, a biodegradable adhesive is used to assist in folding.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis delivery system comprising: a guide wire catheter; a nose cone dilator at the proximal end of the guide wire catheter; and a pusher catheter comprising a lumen configured to receive the guide wire catheter therethrough and at least one longitudinal auxiliary lumens configured to receive an auxiliary catheter. The pusher catheter may have recess in the guide wire lumen. The recess may be configured to receive a portion of the nose cone dilator when the guide wire catheter is withdrawn distally.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches. In another aspect, the pivotable fenestrations include a first perimeter, a band of flexible material attached and surrounding the first perimeter, a second perimeter attached to and surrounding the band of flexible material and a support frame disposed about a surface of the band of flexible material. The first perimeter, band of flexible material, and second perimeter have a geometric shape. The support frame includes a plurality of support units having curved segments. The curved segments of the support units may be concave with respect to an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

Abstract: A deployment device for deploying an expandable endoluminal prosthesis within a body vessel may include an elongate member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the deployment device. The deployment device may include at least one engagement member coupled to the elongate member and extending outwardly from the elongate member. The deployment device may include a circumferential trigger wire extending at least partially circumferentially around the elongate member and removably received between the engagement member and the elongate member. The circumferential trigger wire may be manipulatable from a distal end of the deployment device, whereby the circumferential trigger wire is removable from between the engagement member and the elongate member.

Abstract: A prosthesis for placement within an aortic root, includes a graft having a proximal end, distal end, and lumen disposed therethrough and a stent assembly disposed at that proximal end of the graft, the stent assembly comprising a first stent unit comprising a first proximal section having a first bend interconnected by a first curved strut and a second curved strut and a second bend interconnected by a third curved strut and a fourth curved strut, the first bend of the first proximal section and second bend of the first proximal section facing each other and circumferentially spaced apart; and a first distal section connected to the first proximal section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches.

Abstract: A method of making an internal bidirectional branch and an endoluminal prosthesis from a tubular segment of graft material. The tubular segment is partitioned into first and second sections along a length of the tubular segment. The first section has a width less than a width of the tubular segment, and the second section has a width less than the first section. The second section is partitioned into at least three sub-sections. The tubular segment is connected along a lateral edge of the first and third sub-sections of the second section.

Abstract: A deployment device for deploying an expandable endoluminal prosthesis within a body vessel may include an elongate member extending longitudinally along at least a portion of a length of the deployment device. The deployment device may include at least one engagement member coupled to the elongate member and extending outwardly from the elongate member. The deployment device may include a circumferential trigger wire extending at least partially circumferentially around the elongate member and removably received between the engagement member and the elongate member. The circumferential trigger wire may be manipulatable from a distal end of the deployment device, whereby the circumferential trigger wire is removable from between the engagement member and the elongate member.

Abstract: A system for supporting or dilating a body vessel includes a balloon catheter with a shaft having a delivery lumen in communication with an interior of the balloon. The balloon includes holes formed in the outer wall of the balloon. Additional or daughter balloons are delivered through the delivery lumen into the cavity of the balloon and through the holes into engagement with the holes. The daughter balloons are inflatable to seal against the holes, and the main balloon is subsequently inflatable when sealed by the daughter balloons. The daughter balloons may be delivered to branch vessels to provide support in addition to the inflation of the main balloon. The system may include preloaded wires extending through the delivery lumen and through the holes, and the daughter balloons can be delivered over the wires to the desired location.

Abstract: A stent graft and a stent graft system having a scallop at the proximal end of the stent graft and extending below the proximal edge, the scallop having two substantially longitudinally extending opposing side edges and a substantially laterally extending bottom edge parallel to the proximal edge of the stent graft and extending between the two substantially longitudinally extending opposing side edges to define a scallop parameter. The stent graft and stent graft system include side arms extending externally from the stent graft at an acute angle to the body of the stent graft with an open end of the side arms extending toward the proximal end of the stent graft.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an endoluminal prosthesis, such as a stent graft that includes one or more fenestrations to accommodate endovascular disease, such as an aneurysm in cases where one or more side branches is involved. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes fenestrations that are pivotable to accommodate the dynamic geometry of the aortic branches. In another aspect, the pivotable fenestrations include a first perimeter, a band of flexible material attached and surrounding the first perimeter, and a second perimeter attached to and surrounding the band of flexible material. The first perimeter, band of flexible material, and second perimeter have a geometric shape. In one aspect, the prosthesis includes at least three pivotable fenestrations.

Abstract: An expandable endoluminal prosthesis may include a graft body and a support structure attached to the graft body. The graft body may include a tubular body of nonwoven electrospun fibers disposed about a longitudinal axis. A first fiber matrix segment may be attached to and extend in a transverse direction along the tubular body. A second fiber matrix segment may be attached to and extend in a longitudinal direction along the tubular body.