Abstract: A device includes a medusa wire group with at least three separate wires slidably received in a vascular catheter. The multiple wires of the medusa wire group maximize the chances of at least one wire entering a target branch vessel during an attempt to achieve access. Entry into the branch vessel may then be gained by advancing the vascular catheter over the at least one wire that successfully entered the branch passageway.

Abstract: A device includes a medusa wire group with at least three separate wires slidably received in a vascular catheter. The multiple wires of the medusa wire group maximize the chances of at least one wire entering a target branch vessel during an attempt to achieve access. Entry into the branch vessel may then be gained by advancing the vascular catheter over the at least one wire that successfully entered the branch passageway.

Abstract: A prosthesis having a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therethrough, and a sidewall. The prosthesis includes at least one perfusion branch extending from the sidewall of the tubular body and having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen therethrough, where the lumen of the perfusion branch is in temporary fluid communication with the lumen of the tubular body. The perfusion branch comprises a self-sealing component, that after predetermined period of time precludes fluid flow out of the distal end of the perfusion branch.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for coating a target. The method includes providing a target and an electrospinning apparatus. The target comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface. The electrospinning apparatus comprises a mandrel, a mask including an aperture, a reservoir loaded with a solution, and an orifice fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The mandrel is located adjacent the target second surface. The orifice is located at a distance from the target first surface. The mask is located intermediate the orifice and the target first surface. The solution is electrospun through the mask aperture onto the target first surface. In one example the target is an endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for coating a target. The method includes providing a target and an electrospinning apparatus. The target comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface. The electrospinning apparatus comprises a mandrel, a mask including an aperture, a reservoir loaded with a solution, and an orifice fluidly coupled to the reservoir. The mandrel is located adjacent the target second surface. The orifice is located at a distance from the target first surface. The mask is located intermediate the orifice and the target first surface. The solution is electrospun through the mask aperture onto the target first surface. In one example the target is an endoluminal prosthesis.

Abstract: A self-expanding or otherwise expandable artificial valve prostheses for deployment within a body passageway, such as a vessel or duct of a patient. The valve prostheses include a support structure having an outer frame, a supporting member and a valve leaflet. The portion of the valve leaflet is supported by the supporting member and is positioned away from the wall of the body passageway when the device is deployed within the body passageway.

Abstract: A device for delivering and deploying a radially expandable prosthesis is disclosed and comprises a proximal prosthesis release mechanism having a first resistance and a distal prosthesis release mechanism having a second resistance. The device further comprises an actuation mechanism for actuating the distal and proximal release mechanisms in a single coordinated movement and a biasing compensator for regulating the relationship between the first resistance and the second resistance. Additional aspects of the invention include devices and methods for delivering and deploying a radially expandable prosthesis.

Abstract: An expandable stent for medical implantation is described which has a generally cylindrical structure with a central longitudinal axis. At least a portion of the generally cylindrical structure is formed from an arrangement of circumferentially curved structural members. The portion expands from a compressed state to an expanded state by a spiraling motion of each of the structural members about the central longitudinal axis. In the compressed state, each of the structural members may nest within an open region formed by segments composing the structural member, such that the portion of the generally cylindrical structure has no overlapping regions. A ratio of a circumferential length of each structural member to a spacing between adjacent structural members may be in the range of about 1.8 to about 2.3.

Abstract: A strut, or beam, is provided for intraluminal devices. Strain which is introduced into a stent or other intraluminal device is distributed more evenly along the length of the improved strut by maintaining a substantially constant strain level along the length of an end portion. This may increase fatigue life or improve the performance of devices using the improved strut. The strain along the length of the end portion may be maintained substantially constant by varying a section property of the strut, including the width, thickness, cross-sectional area, material property or other characteristic of the end portion.

Abstract: A beam is provided for intraluminal devices. The beam is defined by a first side surface and a second side surface. The first side surface is tapered at a different rate than the second side surface. One advantage of the beam is that strain which is normally concentrated in adjacent, interconnected bends is redirected onto the length of the beam. This may increase the fatigue life of intraluminal devices or may be used to fashion new structures with improved performance.

Abstract: A variable curvature stent limb is disclosed herein. A stent derived from a plurality of these variable curvature stent limbs may be highly compressible, such that it is compatible with a low-profile delivery device. This stent may be useful over a wider range of body vessel diameters and may possess a greater fatigue life, since this stent may provide a more controlled constant radial force.