Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A stent, a system for delivering a stent and a method of assembling a stent on a stent delivery shaft. The stent delivery system comprises a delivery shaft and a stent configured to be positioned about the delivery shaft. The stent includes an extension extending circumferentially from a portion of the stent to a free end, thereby defining a shoulder surface. A belt has a first portion fixed relative to the delivery shaft and a second portion positioned circumferentially about at least a portion of the stent to retain the stent in an at least partially constrained configuration. A release wire is configured to releasably engage at least a portion of the belt to retain the belt. The shoulder surface engages at least a portion of the belt to minimize axial movement of the belt during release of the release wire from engagement with the belt.

Abstract: An endoluminal tubular prosthesis for use in an open surgical repair comprises a tubular graft having a longitudinal axis, a first tubular section having a plurality of self-expanding stents and extending along the longitudinal axis and a second stent-less tubular section extending from the first tubular section and along the longitudinal axis. The tubular prosthesis can include a plurality of tubular branching members branching therefrom for treating branched arteries without obstructing them, such as the branches from the aortic arch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of deploying a stent graft having a proximal anchor stent ring includes restraining proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring between a spindle body of a spindle and a control release sleeve of a tapered tip. The control release sleeve is advanced relative to the spindle to release a first proximal apex through an opening in the control release sleeve while the remaining proximal apexes remain restrained by the control release sleeve. The control release sleeve is further advanced relative to the spindle to release the remaining proximal apexes from the control release sleeve. In another example, a stent capture fitting has variable length stent capture fitting arms. As the stent capture fitting is retracted, the proximal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring are sequentially exposed from and released by the variable length stent capture fitting arms.

Abstract: A stented valve including a generally tubular stent structure that has a longitudinal axis, first and second opposite ends, a plurality of commissure support structures spaced from the first and second ends and extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, at least one structural wire positioned between each two adjacent commissure support structures, and at least one wing portion extending from two adjacent commissure support structures and toward one of the first and second ends of the stent structure. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular stent structure to the commissure support structures.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion that has a first end and a second end, wherein an area adjacent the first end has a first stiffness, an area adjacent the second end has a second stiffness, and a central region between the areas at the first and second ends has a third stiffness that is less than the stiffness adjacent the first and second ends, wherein the stent structure can be reconfigured in its central area to match a curved patient anatomical region. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular portion.

Abstract: A method of deploying a stent graft includes radially constraining proximal apexes of a proximal anchor stent ring of the stent-graft in a space between merlons of a castellated sleeve of a tip and a spindle having spindle pins, the proximal apexes extending around the spindle pins. A graft material of the stent-graft is radially constrained in a primary sheath, a proximal end of the graft material being attached to distal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring. The proximal anchor stent ring further includes struts extending between the proximal apexes and the distal apexes. The primary sheath is retracted to allow the proximal end of the graft material and the distal apexes of the proximal anchor stent ring to pivot out beyond the confines of the sleeve to a large angle as the proximal end radially expands. The struts then extend through embrasures of the castellated sleeve. The tip is advanced to deploy the proximal apexes.

Abstract: An endoluminal tubular prosthesis for use in an open surgical repair comprises a tubular graft having a longitudinal axis, a first tubular section having a plurality of self-expanding stents and extending along the longitudinal axis and a second stent-less tubular section extending from the first tubular section and along the longitudinal axis. The tubular prosthesis can include a plurality of tubular branching members branching therefrom for treating branched arteries without obstructing them, such as the branches from the aortic arch.

Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion that has a first end and a second end, wherein an area adjacent the first end has a first stiffness, an area adjacent the second end has a second stiffness, and a central region between the areas at the first and second ends has a third stiffness that is less than the stiffness adjacent the first and second ends, wherein the stent structure can be reconfigured in its central area to match a curved patient anatomical region. The stented valve further includes a valve structure attached within the generally tubular portion.

Abstract: A stent graft delivery system and method of use including a delivery system for a stent graft including a nosecone assembly having a nosecone and a nosecone shaft; a spindle assembly defining a spindle assembly lumen through which the nosecone shaft can slide, the spindle assembly having a spindle fitting and a spindle shaft; and a stent capture assembly defining a stent capture assembly lumen through which the spindle shaft can slide, the stent capture assembly having a stent capture fitting and a stent capture shaft. The spindle fitting is slidably mateable with the stent capture fitting to retain an end of the stent graft at a delivery diameter. A stent graft delivery system with an end stent capture configuration providing both a primary and a secondary deployment procedure facilitated by the threaded connection between a bare stent crown spindle fitting and a system nosecone.

Abstract: A stent, a system for delivering a stent and a method of assembling a stent on a stent delivery shaft. The stent delivery system comprises a delivery shaft and a stent configured to be positioned about the delivery shaft. The stent includes an extension extending circumferentially from a portion of the stent to a free end, thereby defining a shoulder surface. A belt has a first portion fixed relative to the delivery shaft and a second portion positioned circumferentially about at least a portion of the stent to retain the stent in an at least partially constrained configuration. A release wire is configured to releasably engage at least a portion of the belt to retain the belt. The shoulder surface engages at least a portion of the belt to minimize axial movement of the belt during release of the release wire from engagement with the belt.

Abstract: A stent assembly comprising a stent body. At least one barb extends from the stent body and is configured such that a free end thereof is biased to extend radially outward from the stent body. A belt is releasably positioned about the stent body and aligned with the barb to constrain the barb to a position with the free end proximate to the stent body. A method of forming a stent assembly is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is a system for the treatment of body passageways; in particular, vessels with vascular disease. The system includes an endovascular graft with a low-profile delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in which it conforms to the morphology of the vessel or body passageway to be treated as well as various connector members and stents. The graft is made from an inflatable graft body section and may be bifurcated. One or more inflatable cuffs may be disposed at either end of the graft body section. At least one inflatable channel is disposed between and in fluid communication with the inflatable cuffs.

Abstract: This invention is a system for the treatment of body passageways; in particular, vessels with vascular disease. The system includes an endovascular graft with a low-profile delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in which it conforms to the morphology of the vessel or body passageway to be treated as well as various connector members and stents. The graft is made from an inflatable graft body section and may be bifurcated. One or more inflatable cuffs may be disposed at either end of the graft body section. At least one inflatable channel is disposed between and in fluid communication with the inflatable cuffs.

Abstract: A flexible low profile delivery system for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device, specifically, an endovascular graft, which has at least one belt circumferentially disposed about the device in a constraining configuration. The belt is released by a release member, such as a release wire, by retracting the wire from looped ends of the belt. Multiple belts can be used and can be released sequentially so as to control the order of release and placement of the endovascular graft. An outer protective sheath may be disposed about the endovascular graft while in a constrained state which must first be retracted or otherwise removed prior to release of the graft from a constrained state. The delivery system can be configured for delivery over a guiding device such as a guidewire. The delivery system can also be configured for delivery of bifurcated intracorporeal devices.

Abstract: A flexible low profile delivery system for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device, specifically, an endovascular graft, which has at least one belt circumferentially disposed about the device in a constraining configuration. The belt is released by a release member, such as a release wire, by retracting the wire from looped ends of the belt. Multiple belts can be used and can be released sequentially so as to control the order of release and placement of the endovascular graft. An outer protective sheath may be disposed about the endovascular graft while in a constrained state which must first be retracted or otherwise removed prior to release of the graft from a constrained state. The delivery system can be configured for delivery over a guiding device such as a guidewire. The delivery system can also be configured for delivery of bifurcated intracorporeal devices.

Abstract: A flexible low profile delivery system for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device, specifically, an endovascular graft, which has at least one belt circumferentially disposed about the device in a constraining configuration. The belt is released by a release member, such as a release wire, by retracting the wire from looped ends of the belt. Multiple belts can be used and can be released sequentially so as to control the order of release and placement of the endovascular graft. An outer protective sheath may be disposed about the endovascular graft while in a constrained state which must first be retracted or otherwise removed prior to release of the graft from a constrained state. The delivery system can be configured for delivery over a guiding device such as a guidewire. The delivery system can also be configured for delivery of bifurcated intracorporeal devices.

Abstract: A flexible low profile delivery system for delivery of an expandable intracorporeal device, specifically, an endovascular graft, which has at least one belt circumferentially disposed about the device in a constraining configuration. The belt is released by a release member, such as a release wire, by retracting the wire from looped ends of the belt. Multiple belts can be used and can be released sequentially so as to control the order of release and placement of the endovascular graft. An outer protective sheath may be disposed about the endovascular graft while in a constrained state which must first be retracted or otherwise removed prior to release of the graft from a constrained state. The delivery system can be configured for delivery over a guiding device such as a guidewire.

Abstract: This invention is a system for the treatment of body passageways; in particular, vessels with vascular disease. The system includes an endovascular graft with a low-profile delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in which it conforms to the morphology of the vessel or body passageway to be treated as well as various connector members and stents. The graft is made from an inflatable graft body section and may be bifurcated. One or more inflatable cuffs may be disposed at either end of the graft body section. At least one inflatable channel is disposed between and in fluid communication with the inflatable cuffs.

Abstract: This invention is a system for the treatment of body passageways; in particular, vessels with vascular disease. The system includes an endovascular graft with a low-profile delivery configuration and a deployed configuration in which it conforms to the morphology of the vessel or body passageway to be treated as well as various connector members and stents. The graft is made from an inflatable graft body section and may be bifurcated. One or more inflatable cuffs may be disposed at either end of the graft body section. At least one inflatable channel is disposed between and in fluid communication with the inflatable cuffs.