Abstract: This invention relates generally to an expandable intraluminal medical device for use within a body passageway or duct, and more particularly to an optimized stent having flexible links that minimize foreshortening during stent deployment. In one embodiment of the present invention the intraluminal prosthetic device includes a first hoop section, a second hoop section, and one or more flex members attached between the first and the second hoop section. Each flex member comprises two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being oriented along the circumferential axis and including a plurality of flexural units defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the circumferential axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being aligned with the circumferential axis and including a plurality of protrusions extending along the longitudinal axis, the protrusions defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being oriented along the circumferential axis and including a plurality of flexural units defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the circumferential axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongated torque tube for use in medical applications. The torque tube comprises an elongated tubular structure having a cylindrical cross section and defining a longitudinal axis and a circumferential axis, the elongated tubular structure including a helical cut having a finite thickness and extending along the length of the elongated tubular structure, the helical cut being aligned with the circumferential axis and including a plurality of protrusions extending along the longitudinal axis, the protrusions defined by discontinuous cuts aligned with the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Modified suture knots may be utilized to effective anchor one stent-graft to another stent-graft wherein the stent-grafts are normally connected via an interference fit in an overlap configuration. The sutures that are utilized to affix the graft material to the underlying stent structure may be modified to have a profile that allow it to lock and secure it to another stent-graft or a vessel into which it is implanted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame comprising a proximal and distal anchors formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. One or more cantilevered valve struts are attached directly or indirectly to the proximal anchor. The stent based valve also comprises one or more connecting members attached between the proximal and distal anchors. A biocompatible valve assembly is coaxially disposed and attached to the proximal anchor and extends in the longitudinal direction along the one or more connecting members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electrostatically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame comprising a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The proximal and distal anchors are formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and have a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The stent based valve also comprises one or more connecting members, each having a first and a second end. The first end of each connecting member is attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member is attached to the distal anchor. A biocompatible valve assembly is attached to the proximal anchor and extends distally along the one or more connecting members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame including an anchor structure having a first and a second open end, a connecting member having a first and a second end, and a cantilever valve strut having a first and a second end. The first end of the connecting member is attached to the second end of the anchor structure. The first end of the cantilever valve strut is cooperatively associated with the second end of the connecting member. The prosthetic valve further includes a biocompatible membrane assembly having a substantially tubular configuration about the longitudinal axis, with a first open and a second closed end. The first end of the membrane assembly is attached to the structural frame along the second end of the cantilever valve strut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame including an anchor structure having a first and a second open end, a connecting member having a first and a second end, and a cantilever valve strut having a first and a second end. The first end of the connecting member is attached to the second end of the anchor structure. The first end of the cantilever valve strut is cooperatively associated with the second end of the connecting member. The prosthetic valve further includes a biocompatible membrane assembly having a substantially tubular configuration disposed longitudinally about at least a portion of the connecting member. The membrane assembly has a first end having a first diameter and a second end having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. The first end of the membrane assembly is attached along the second end of the cantilever valve strut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame comprising a proximal anchor and a distal anchor. The proximal and distal anchors are formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and have a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The stent based valve also comprises one or more connecting members, each having a first and a second end. The first end of each connecting member is attached to the proximal anchor and the second end of each connecting member is attached to the distal anchor. A biocompatible valve assembly is attached to the proximal anchor and extends distally along the one or more connecting members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electrostatically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve includes a radially expandable structural frame comprising a proximal and distal anchors formed from a lattice of interconnected elements, and having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. One or more cantilevered valve struts are attached directly or indirectly to the proximal anchor. The stent based valve also comprises one or more connecting members attached between the proximal and distal anchors. A biocompatible valve assembly is coaxially disposed and attached to the proximal anchor and extends in the longitudinal direction along the one or more connecting members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device, and in particular, to a stent-based valve. The valve has a radially expandable structural frame having a substantially cylindrical configuration with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between. The structural frame is formed from a lattice of interconnected elements and has a plurality of distal crowns. A biocompatible membrane assembly maintaining a substantially cylindrical shape about the longitudinal axis is attached to the structural frame such that the structural frame supports the biocompatible membrane assembly in a slack condition between the distal crowns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method for making the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to membrane covered structural frame, and to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a structural frame. In one aspect, a polymeric tube is provided having a first diameter and a first tube wall thickness. A radially expandable and contractible structural frame is radially contracted, and inserted into at least a portion of the structural frame. The radially contracted structural frame then expands to expand the polymeric tube to a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter. As the polymeric tube radially expands, the tube wall thickness becomes thinner, so that the polymeric tube becomes a thin walled tubular membrane. The polymeric tube and structural frame are then mechanically attached to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical device and method of forming the medical device. In particular, the present invention relates to a medical device having a tubular membrane structure over a radially expandable structural frame, and to a method of forming the tubular membrane on the radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electro-statically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer.