Abstract: A three dimensional cell culture and bioreactor system is provided. The system comprises one or more cell culture chamber. Each cell culture chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the cell culture chamber. The cell culture chambers may be segregated or in fluid communication with one another. The systems may be used to conduct drug efficacy test, isolate certain cell types from a complex tissue sample of multiple cell types, allow for the ex vivo culturing of patient tissue samples to help guide the course of treatment, and conduct co-culture experiments.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tapered stent and flexible prosthesis. The stent has a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The second region is substantially parallel to and spaced axially apart from the first region. A plurality of struts is disposed intermediate the first region and the second region and circumferentially connects the first region and the second region. The first region has a longitudinal length that is greater than the second region longitudinal length. The struts have varying longitudinal lengths that gradually decrease from the first region to the second region. The flexible prosthesis comprises at least two alternating tapered stents.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface structure of a component of a medical devices includes forming a fatigue-resistant portion, which entails forming a first layer comprising a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb, Mo, V, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Si on at least a portion of a surface of the component, where the surface comprises a nickel-titanium alloy, and alloying the transition metal of the first layer with the nickel-titanium alloy of the surface. The method further includes forming a rough outer surface of the fatigue-resistant portion, where the rough outer surface is adapted for adhesion of a material thereto.

Abstract: A method of forming a surface structure of a component of a medical devices includes forming a fatigue-resistant portion, which entails forming a first layer comprising a transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Nb, Mo, V, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, and Si on at least a portion of a surface of the component, where the surface comprises a nickel-titanium alloy, and alloying the transition metal of the first layer with the nickel-titanium alloy of the surface. The method further includes forming a rough outer surface of the fatigue-resistant portion where the rough outer surface is adapted for adhesion of a material thereto.

Abstract: An introducer assembly for introducing a stent-graft or other device into a vessel of a patient is provided with a dilator tip which is naturally curved, preferably to be substantially a U-shape. The dilator tip is flexible so as to be able to become substantially straight with a guide wire therein and yet to be able to curve back towards its natural curvature during deployment of an implant. The curvature of the dilator tip can ensure that the dilator tip does not cause damage to the vessel wall during deployment of an implant carried thereon, as can occur with straight dilator tips.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to bioreactor devices and systems that allow cultured cells to grow and develop with a three-dimensional aspect. In addition, the bioreactor systems described herein can be used for variation and independent control of environmental factors within the individual sub-wells which can be advantageously co-located in a common chamber. For example, the chemical make-up of a nutrient medium that can flow through a chamber as well as the mechanical force environment within the chamber, including the perfusion flow, shear stress, hydrostatic pressure, and the like, can be independently controlled and maintained for each separate culture chamber of the disclosed systems. Further, the bioreactor systems are designed for easy incorporation into automated systems and minimize or eliminate tubing.

Abstract: A delivery system for an intraluminal medical device comprises an elongate tubular sheath 20 and an elongate tubular pusher 50 slidably disposed within a lumen of the sheath and having a flexible configuration due to circumferentially-extending fins 154 along its exterior surface. The spacing and/or the size of the fins 154 may vary along the pusher 50. Different regions of the pusher 50 may be of materials with different flexibility.

Abstract: A three dimensional cell culture and bioreactor system is provided. The system comprises one or more cell culture chamber. Each cell culture chamber comprises an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with the cell culture chamber. The cell culture chambers may be segregated or in fluid communication with one another. The systems may be used to conduct drug efficacy test, isolate certain cell types from a complex tissue sample of multiple cell types, allow for the ex vivo culturing of patient tissue samples to help guide the course of treatment, and conduct co-culture experiments.

Abstract: Disclosed are multi-chambered cell co-culture systems. The systems can be utilized to encourage the growth and development of isolated cells in a dynamic three-dimensional in vitro environment. The cell chambers (10) of the system can be in biochemical communication with adjacent chambers containing cells of different types, but the different cell types are maintained physically separated from one another. In addition, the local environment of each cell chamber can be independently controlled. For example, fluid flow characteristics through a single cell chamber can be independently controlled and maintained for each separate chamber of the system.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis that includes a support structure comprising a curvilinear portion having a first strut and a second strut that meet at an apex. Disposed on the support structure is an anchor with an anchor body and one or more barbs extending outwardly from the anchor body and where the anchor body comprises a multi-filar tube fits at least partially about, and conforms to the first strut, second strut, and the apex.

Abstract: A dilator tip (100) for deploying and positioning an endovascular device (570) at a treatment site includes an elongate body (105) having at least two substantially longitudinal channels (110) in an outer surface (105s) of the body and at least two deployment struts (115). Each deployment strut (115) has a free end (120) releasably attached to a proximal edge (575) of an endovascular device (570) to be deployed, a constrained end (125) restrained within one of the longitudinal channels (110), and a pivot portion (130) between the free end (120) and the constrained end (125). In an undeployed configuration of the dilator tip (100), the free ends (120) reside within the longitudinal channels (110), and in a deployed configuration of the dilator tip (100), the free ends (120) are pivotally extended away from the longitudinal channels (110) by way of the pivot portions (130).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tapered stent and flexible prosthesis. The stent has a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The second region is substantially parallel to and spaced axially apart from the first region. A plurality of struts is disposed intermediate the first region and the second region and circumferentially connects the first region and the second region. The first region has a longitudinal length that is greater than the second region longitudinal length. The struts have varying longitudinal lengths that gradually decrease from the first region to the second region. The flexible prosthesis comprises at least two alternating tapered stents.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for treating tissue by delivering at least one therapeutic agent into the tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a catheter and a balloon member disposed on a distal region of the catheter. A plurality of pockets are disposed on the balloon member, and a plurality of needles are associated with each of the plurality of pockets. The plurality of needles are configured to engage tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state, and further are configured to disperse a therapeutic agent from an associated pocket into the tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state. A first needle of the plurality of needles may comprise a length that is different than a second needle, permitting the delivery of first and second therapeutic agents to different depths within the tissue.

Abstract: An electrospinning apparatus may include a first spinneret and a second spinneret, each including a reservoir and an orifice. The first and second spinnerets may have first and second electrical charges, respectively. The first spinneret orifice may be located substantially opposite the second spinneret orifice. The first and second spinnerets may be used to prepare a medical device defining a lumen with a proximal end, a distal end, a luminal surface and an abluminal surface. The first spinneret orifice distal end may be configured to be located outside of the medical device lumen and between about 0.1 inches and about 6.0 inches from the medical device abluminal surface. The second spinneret orifice distal end may be configured to be located in the medical device lumen and between about 0.1 inches and about 6.0 inches from the medical device luminal surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tapered stent and flexible prosthesis. The stent has a first longitudinal region and a second longitudinal region. The second region is substantially parallel to and spaced axially apart from the first region. A plurality of struts is disposed intermediate the first region and the second region and circumferentially connects the first region and the second region. The first region has a longitudinal length that is greater than the second region longitudinal length. The struts have varying longitudinal lengths that gradually decrease from the first region to the second region. The flexible prosthesis comprises at least two alternating tapered stents.

Abstract: A stent includes a main body having proximal and distal ends, and at least one conformance strut coupled to the proximal end of the main body. A portion of the at least one conformance strut extends proximal to a proximal end of a graft material in a compressed delivery configuration, and further is aligned inside the proximal end of the graft material in an expanded deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration, the proximal conformance strut may at least partially encircle the graft material just distal to the proximal end of the graft material, which may reduce the likelihood of infolding at the proximal edge of the graft material and potential endoleaks.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactor systems and methods of utilizing said systems.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for treating tissue by delivering at least one therapeutic agent into the tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a catheter and a balloon member disposed on a distal region of the catheter. A plurality of pockets are disposed on the balloon member, and a plurality of needles are associated with each of the plurality of pockets. The plurality of needles are configured to engage tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state, and further are configured to disperse a therapeutic agent from an associated pocket into the tissue when the balloon is in the inflated state. A first needle of the plurality of needles may comprise a length that is different than a second needle, permitting the delivery of first and second therapeutic agents to different depths within the tissue.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis that includes a support structure comprising a curvilinear portion having a first strut and a second strut that meet at an apex. Disposed on the support structure is an anchor with an anchor body and one or more barbs extending outwardly from the anchor body and where the anchor body fits at least partially about, and conforms to the first strut, second strut, and the apex.

Abstract: There are disclosed apparatus and methods for treating tissue by delivering at least one therapeutic agent into the tissue. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a catheter (30, 40) and a balloon member (150) disposed on a distal region of the catheter. A plurality of pockets (164) are disposed on the balloon member (150), and a plurality of needles (180) are associated with each of the plurality of pockets. The plurality of needles (180) are configured to engage tissue when the balloon (150) is in the inflated state, and further are configured to disperse a therapeutic agent from an associated pocket (164) into the tissue when the balloon (150) is in the inflated state. A first needle (180a) of the plurality of needles may comprise a length that is different than a second needle (180b), permitting the delivery of first and second therapeutic agents to different depths within the tissue.