Abstract: A method of sizing of a stent graft (20) including placement of fenestrations (30, 32) to ensure access to side branch vessels (13, 15) through the fenestrations when the stent graft is introduced into a body vessel and an assembly method for a stent graft including temporary diameter reduction arrangements to enable partial release of a stent graft to assist with positioning of fenestrations with respect to side branch vessels. The method includes spacing the fenestrations to be the same circumferential distance as the side branch vessels irrespective of the diameter of the stent graft.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer has a pusher, a nose cone, a region between the pusher and the nose cone for a stent graft, a sleeve extending over the pusher and proximally to the nose cone to cover the stent graft when retained in the region. An indwelling auxiliary catheter with a pre-curved proximal end is fitted into the introducer. The nose cone has an elongate groove and the auxiliary catheter has its proximal end in the elongate groove. In a partially retracted position of the sleeve the curved proximal end of the indwelling auxiliary catheter is exposed and uncovered by the sleeve and in an advanced position of the sleeve the curved proximal end of the indwelling auxiliary catheter is straightened, extends along the length of the groove in the nose cone and is covered by the sleeve.

Abstract: A stent graft delivery system in which a stent graft (6) is retained on a delivery device (2) such that a longitudinal portion of the stent graft is releasably retained on the delivery device to bend therewith. The delivery device (2) has a guide wire catheter (3) and the stent graft is retained onto the guide wire catheter by a release wire (24) which can be withdrawn. The release wire is wound around the guide wire catheter and through the stent graft or suture loops engage around the guide wire catheter and release wire.

Abstract: A multiband element antenna (120) used in combination with a unique metal chassis design that enhances antenna performance and that enables the design of a compact and efficient antenna system. A cellular flip phone (100) that has a conductive chassis includes a flip up antenna (120) that pivots between an extended and a retracted position. The antenna (120) pivots at a point that is located on one edge of the top of the cell phone body (102). The conductive chassis of the flip cover (104) is grounded to the flip phone body (102) at a single point or single surface that is substantially opposite the antenna RF feed (122). Conductive surfaces of the cellular flip phone body (102) are grounded at a single point that is near the antenna RF feed point (122). This grounding arrangement has been found to control the flow of induced currents on the conductive portions of the flip cover (104) and body (102), thereby improving the performance of the device's antenna (120).

Abstract: A method of assembling of a stent graft (20) including temporarily diameter reduction arrangements to enable partial release of a stent graft to assist with positioning before complete release. The diameter reduction arrangement includes a release wire (72) and flexible threads (74, 80) extending to struts (76) of a self expanding stent (70) either side of the release wire and being pulled tight. Removal of the release wire enables full expansion of the self expanding stent.

Abstract: A side branch stent graft (1) suitable for the iliac arteries has a main tubular body (3) of a biocompatible graft material and a tubular side branch (5). The tubular side branch is affixed into the main tubular body so that a side branch lumen is in fluid communication with a main lumen. There is at least one external zig-zag stent (13) on the main tubular body proximal of the tubular side branch, one central external stent (14) which also encompasses the side arm, at least one external zig-zag stent (16) on the main tubular body distal of the tubular side branch and one internal zig-zag stent (15) at the distal end of the main tubular body. A reinforcing ring (9) is around the proximal end of the main tubular body and stitched thereto.

Abstract: A laparoscopic vascular conduit arrangement has an elongate graft tube (1, 10) which is placed through a body cavity into a body vessel using a laparoscopic port sheath (70) with a distal valve (73) and a second sheath (80) with distal valve (86, 87). The graft tube (1, 10) extends through the laparoscopic port sheath so that the distal end (108) of the graft tube extends out of its valve and the proximal end of the graft tube extends out of the proximal end of the laparoscopic port sheath. The second sheath (80) is deployed into the distal end (108) of the graft tube (1, 10) such that the first valve (73) seals around the graft tube and the second sheath (84). The proximal end of the graft tube can be deployed into the vessel of the body to allow access into the vessel through the graft tube via the second valve. The conduit can be removed after use or used to provide vascular bypass.

Abstract: An antenna structure (126) that includes a Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA) (104) and an extendable portion such as a whip element (106). The PIFA (104) operates normally when the extendable portion (106) is retracted and upon extension, an electrical contact is made between the extendable portion (106) and the end (122) of the PIFA (104) that is electrically opposite, i.e., furthest along the electrically conductive path of the PIFA, from the feed structure (202, 208) for the PIFA (104). The electrical length of the composite antenna (126) is then substantially equal to the sum of the electrical length of the PIFA (104) and extendable portion (106). An embodiment disconnects the ground path of the PIFA feed structure upon extension of the extendable portion (106) to provide constant input impedance.

Abstract: The invention thus provides the compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which: R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-6alkynyl, C3-10cycloalkylC0-6alkyl and C4-12bridged cycloalkyl; R3 is selected from the group consisting of C1-6alkyl, NH2 and R5CONH; R4 is selected from the group consisting of CH2F, CHF2, CF3CH2, CF3CHF and CF3CF2; and R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-6alkyl, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6alkylOC1-6alkyl, phenyl, HO2CC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylOCOC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylOCO, H2NC1-6alkyl, C1-6alkylOCONHC1-6alkyl and C1-6alkylCONHC1-6alkyl. Compounds of formula (I) are potent and selective inhibitors of COX-2 and are of use in the treatment of the pain, fever, inflammation of a variety of conditions and diseases.

Abstract: A stent assembly (42) adapted for endoluminal placement by endovascular deployment for the treatment of a false lumen (10) associated with a vascular dissection. The stent assembly has a number of self expanding stents (35) connected together to define an elongate substantially cylindrical lumen wall engaging surface. The stents are adapted to provided pressure on the wall of the lumen adjacent to and extending away from a rupture. A deployment device (40) for the stent assembly includes a sheath (48) and a retention and release arrangement (50) to retain the proximal end (37) of the stent graft to the deployment device. Release of the stent assembly is by withdrawal of the sheath before release of its proximal end by the use of a trigger wire (54) of the retention and release arrangement.

Abstract: A server, e.g., a client (105, 107, 109), receives a request for a digital signature to be applied to digital information, obtains a representation of the information, determines a designation of key pair(s) to be applied thereto; and transmits a request for the digital signature to a front end server (103a, 103b). The front end server determines one or more of whether the client is authentic and authorized, the user identifier is authentic, and the user identifier is permitted to make the request. If so, the front end server transmits a request to generate a digital signature to a back end server (101). The back end server determines one or more of whether the front end server is authentic and the designated key pair correspond to the requesting front end server. If so, the back end server generates the digital signature based on the information and the key pair(s).

Abstract: A stent graft (1) has a tubular body (3) defining a main lumen and a side tube (5) defining a side tube lumen and in fluid communication with the main lumen and defining a junction (13) between the tubular body and the side tube. The junction includes an acute angle of attachment (?). A first zig-zag stent (15) is wrapped around the tubular body such that a V portion of the first zig-zag stent is engaged about the acute angle of the junction and a second zig-zag stent (23) is wrapped around the side tube, such that a V portion of the second zig-zag stent is engaged about the acute angle of the junction, whereby the main lumen and the side tube are each kept open, independently, allowing fluid to flow freely therethrough.

Abstract: A joining arrangement between a main tube (3) and a side arm (5) in a side arm stent graft (1). The side arm (5) is stitched into an aperture (11) in the main tube and is in fluid communication with it. The aperture is triangular, elliptical or rectangular and the side arm is cut off at an angle to leave an end portion having a circumferential length equal to the circumference of the aperture. The side arm can also include a connection socket (76) comprising a first resilient ring (79) around the arm at its end, a second resilient ring (80) spaced apart along the arm from the first ring and a zig zag resilient stent (82) between the first and second rings. The zig-zag resilient stent can be a compression stent. Both the main tube and the side arm are formed from seamless tubular biocompatible graft material.

Abstract: A large diameter, flexible, kink-resistant and rotatable introducer sheath (10) for percutaneous delivery of a contained and implantable medical device in the vasculature of a patient. The introducer sheath includes a reinforcement such as a flat wire coil (23) fitted about an inner, lubricous material such as polytetrafluoroethylene tube (22). A wire braid (25) is placed around the coil to give good transfer of rotational forces. An outer tube (27) of a heat formable polyamide material is heat formed and compressed through the spaces between the wires of the braid and turns of the wire coil to mechanically connect the outer tube to the roughened outer surface of the inner tube. The durometer of the outer tube can be varied to effect the flexibility of the sheath. A radiopaque marker (42) is positioned at the distal end of the coil and around the inner tube for radiographic visualization.

Abstract: A connection socket (12) for an end of a stent graft or a side arm (10) of a stent graft. The connection socket has a first resilient ring (14) around the arm at its end, a second resilient ring (16) spaced apart along the arm from the first ring and optionally a zig zag resilient stent (20) between the first and second rings. Each of the rings is of slightly lesser diameter than the side arm. The zig-zag resilient stent can be a compression stent.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.

Abstract: A wireless communications device (102) includes a flip assembly 106 that includes a speaker (120) and that has a GPS antenna (104) mounted about a far edge. The flip assembly (106) further has a GPS RF amplifier (314) mounted adjacent to the GPS antenna (104) for amplifying signals received by the GPS antenna (104) and providing those amplified signals to a GPS RF stripline (312). The GPS RF stripline (312) includes a flexible RF stripline (404) to accommodate rotationally opening and closing of the flip assembly (106). Positioning of the GPS antenna (104) about the far edge of the flip assembly (106) removes the GPS antenna from a main housing assembly (108) of the wireless communications device (102) and provides for better GPS signal reception performance.

Abstract: An introduction arrangement for a fenestrated or branched stent graft (13) intended for deployment into the lumen of a vessel having a blind vessel extending from it. The introducer (1) has a distal end intended to remain outside a patient in use and a proximal end with a nose cone dilator (11) and an arrangement to retain the branched stent graft distally of the nose cone dilator. A sheath (15) on the introducer extends over the branched stent graft to the nose cone dilator. An indwelling catheter (22) extends from the distal end of the introducer and enters the fenestration or side arm and through to the nose cone dilator, the indwelling catheter has a guide wire (29) extending through it. The guide wire can be extended beyond the nose cone dilator in use before the sheath is withdrawn from the branched stent graft so that it can be snared from the contra-lateral artery.

Abstract: A composite stent graft has a balloon expandable stent portion (3), a tubular graft material portion (1) inside or outside of the balloon expandable stent portion and self expanding stents (5) associated with the tubular graft material portion. Part (7) of the balloon expandable stent portion can extend beyond the proximal end (9) of the tubular graft material portion. The tubular graft material can be polytetrafluoroethylene, Dacron, Thoralon™, polyamide, small intestine submucosa, collagenous extracellular matrix material, or any other suitable biocompatible material. A method of deploying which includes flaring a part (7) of the balloon expandable stent portion is also discussed.

Abstract: A stent graft (20) has a tubular body of graft material (21), a number of self expanding stents (67) associated with the tubular body to define a fluid flow path through the stent graft when the self expanding stents are in their expanded configurations. At least one fenestration (22) in the tubular body is adapted to receive a side arm stent graft (71) to provide a fluid flow path from the tubular body and through the side arm stent graft. The or each fenestration has at least an inner ring (26) and an outer ring (24) and graft material (28) extending from the inner ring to the outer ring and the outer ring being in the tubular body of graft material. The inner ring can be hinged (31) to the outer ring or concentric within the outer ring. An intermediate ring (86) may also be used between the inner and outer rings.