Abstract: A covered stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent having a metallic framework covered with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic framework is positioned coaxially within a cylinder of bovine pericardial tissue. A catheter may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in the lumen of a patient. The metallic framework is then expanded to seat the assembly within the lumen.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to sterile packaging systems for medical devices or components where the medical device or component (e.g. a stent) is covered at least in part with a protective sheath that is configured to maintain a body of protective fluid about the covered portion of the device or component. The protective sheath preferably has one or more ports to add fluid to or withdraw fluid from the interior of the protective sheath. The partially protected article is preferably maintained in a sterile condition within a sealed container formed at least in part of a material permeable to sterilizing gas so the protected article within the interior of the sealed container may be subjected to an atmosphere of sterilizing gas which permeates into the interior of the sealed container and sterilizes the partially protected article within the sealed container.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of serous tissue, such as pericardium, as a component of intracorporeal implants. Particularly, disclosed is a jacketed stent assembly comprising an expandable stent provided with a jacket of processed serous tissue which, in some embodiments, is impregnated with a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of pericardial tissue, preferably bovine or porcine pericardial tissue.

Abstract: A stent for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen has a tubular body with at least one cover connector integrally formed on the tubular body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stent delivery catheter having a distal shaft section with an inflatable balloon and a first tubular portion or member extending though the interior of the balloon. A length of the first tubular portion extending through the interior of the balloon has an region with a surface which extends outwardly further than an adjacent region of the first tubular portion. This stepped surface facilitates securing the end of the stent mounted on the balloon and minimizes stent movement during handling and intracorporeal deployment. Preferably, the first tubular member has a proximal step-up region and a distal step-down region over which the ends of the stent are crimpled.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: A stent suitable for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen, generally comprising a tubular body configured to facilitate connection of a cover thereto. A stent assembly of the invention generally comprises a stent having cover connectors in contact with a cover to secure the cover to a surface of the stent. The invention also comprises methods of securing a cover to a stent. In a first embodiment, the cover connector on an expandable tubular body has a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first and second sections. The connector has an open configuration, and a closed configuration in which the first section has at least one bend and the second section has at least one bend, so that the first and second sections are bent together and are directed towards the third section therebetween.

Abstract: A covered stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent having a metallic framework covered with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic framework is positioned coaxially within a cylinder of bovine pericardial tissue. A catheter may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in the lumen of a patient. The metallic framework is then expanded to seat the assembly within the lumen.

Abstract: A covered stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent having a metallic framework covered with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the metallic framework is positioned coaxially within a cylinder of bovine pericardial tissue. A catheter may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in the lumen of a patient. The metallic framework is then expanded to seat the assembly within the lumen.

Abstract: A jacketed stent assembly comprising a tubular, expandable stent, preferably having a metallic framework, jacketed with a cylinder of biocompatible, non-thrombogenic expandable material, such as heterologous tissue, which, in a preferred embodiment, contains a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket of the expandable stent is formed of bovine or porcine pericardial tissue. A delivery catheter having an expandable member on its distal extremity may be used to deliver the stent assembly to a desired region in a lumen of a patient. The jacketed stent is expanded to be seated within the body lumen.