Abstract: The invention comprises, inter-alia, endoprosthetic implants for treating vascular defects, including abdominal aortic aneurysms. Implants according to the invention have a short main body that can be positioned within a patient's aorta at a position above the renal end of an aortic aneurysm. The short main body includes a proximal, or renal, face that redirects the flow of blood into the openings of channels that can carry blood past the aneurysm. In this way, the flow of blood through the aorta is diverted into the two passageways and through the main body of the implant. Fluid exiting the implant can be carried by leg extensions and delivered to a healthy part of the patient's aorta or the iliac arteries. Accordingly, the implant provides a system for allowing blood traveling through the aorta to be carried by a vascular graft that spans an aortic aneurysm, thereby relieving fluid pressure on the thin wall of aortic aneurysm, and reducing the risk of death caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

Abstract: A stent-graft is provided that includes a bifurcated stent adapted for placement at the bifurcation of a bifurcated body lumen. The stent-graft further includes a graft that lines or covers at least part of the bifurcated stent. The graft defines a fluid passageway from the unbifurcated portion into one of the bifurcated stent branches. A closure prevents fluid from flowing through the second of the branches and into the other branch of the body lumen.

Abstract: A stent-graft is provided that includes a bifurcated stent adapted for placement at the bifurcation of a bifurcated body lumen. The stent-graft further includes a graft that lines or covers at least part of the bifurcated stent. The graft defines a fluid passageway from the unbifurcated portion into one of the bifurcated stent branches. A closure prevents fluid from flowing through the second of the branches and into the other branch of the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention comprises, inter-alia, endoprosthetic implants for treating vascular defects, including abdominal aortic aneurysms. Implants according to the invention have a short main body that can be positioned within a patient's aorta at a position above the renal end of an aortic aneurysm. The short main body includes a proximal, or renal, face that redirects the flow of blood into the openings of channels that can carry blood past the aneurysm. In this way, the flow of blood through the aorta is diverted into the two passageways and through the main body of the implant. Fluid exiting the implant can be carried by leg extensions and delivered to a healthy part of the patient's aorta or the iliac arteries. Accordingly, the implant provides a system for allowing blood traveling through the aorta to be carried by a vascular graft that spans an aortic aneurysm, thereby relieving fluid pressure on the thin wall of aortic aneurysm, and reducing the risk of death caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprising an expandable stent and a plurality of graft segments, each graft segment having a first end attached to the stent and a second end not attached to the stent. In one embodiment, the plurality of overlapped graft segments form a continuous conduit wherein each overlap between axially adjacent graft segments comprises a fluid-tight seal when the stent in the radially expanded configuration sandwiches the graft segments against a wall of a body lumen. In another embodiment, there are one or more discontinuities in the plurality of graft segments. The discontinuities may be aligned with branch lumens. The graft segments may be cut perpendicular to the stent-graft axis, or on a bias. A delivery system for and method of deploying the stent-graft are also claimed.

Abstract: A composite intraluminal prosthesis which is preferably used as a vascular prothesis includes a layer of ePTFE and a layer of textile material which are secured together by an elastomeric bonding agent. The ePTFE layer includes a porous microstructure defined by nodes interconnected by fibrils. The adhesive bonding agent is preferably applied in solution so that the bonding agent enters the pores of the microstructure of the ePTFE. This helps secure the textile layer to the ePTFE layer.

Abstract: The invention comprises, inter-alia, endoprosthetic implants for treating vascular defects, including abdominal aortic aneurysms. Implants according to the invention have a short main body that can be positioned within a patient's aorta at a position above the renal end of an aortic aneurysm. The short main body includes a proximal, or renal, face that redirects the flow of blood into the openings of channels that can carry blood past the aneurysm. In this way, the flow of blood through the aorta is diverted into the two passageways and through the main body of the implant. Fluid exiting the implant can be carried by leg extensions and delivered to a healthy part of the patient's aorta or the iliac arteries. Accordingly, the implant provides a system for allowing blood traveling through the aorta to be carried by a vascular graft that spans an aortic aneurysm, thereby relieving fluid pressure on the thin wall of aortic aneurysm, and reducing the risk of death caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

Abstract: The invention comprises, inter-alia, endoprosthetic implants for treating vascular defects, including abdominal aortic aneurysms. Implants according to the invention have a short main body that can be positioned within a patient's aorta at a position above the renal end of an aortic aneurysm. The short main body includes a proximal, or renal, face that redirects the flow of blood into the openings of channels that can carry blood past the aneurysm. In this way, the flow of blood through the aorta is diverted into the two passageways and through the main body of the implant. Fluid exiting the implant can be carried by leg extensions and delivered to a healthy part of the patient's aorta or the iliac arteries. Accordingly, the implant provides a system for allowing blood traveling through the aorta to be carried by a vascular graft that spans an aortic aneurysm, thereby relieving fluid pressure on the thin wall of aortic aneurysm, and reducing the risk of death caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

Abstract: A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Abstract: A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Abstract: A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic implant is formed from a plurality of separate individual components that are inserted sequentially and transluminally into a bifurcated vascular region with each component being deployed in sequence by a sequence of catheter-like deployment devices. The separate components are placed relative to each other to define a bifurcated endoprosthesis. In one embodiment the deployment device includes a tubular sheath for maintaining the radially expandable tubular implant in a contracted configuration and a gripping device including a cup and a gripping member that cooperate to define an annular space by which the trailing end of the implant can be securely held by the deployment device during positioning of the device.

Abstract: A graft assembly for securely positioning a graft at a predetermined location across an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The assembly includes a resilient self-expanding anchor that is secured to the graft. The anchor is characterized as being at least as long as the graft, and further as being adapted to be removed or repositioned at any time prior to complete deployment in the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for positioning a probe through a catheter wherein a sensing element on the probe is located outside the catheter but is spaced from the luminal surface of the blood vessel to prevent any adverse effect on the sensor measurement. A standard introducer catheter may be used and a support tube is provided around a portion of the probe and is slidably engagable within the catheter lumen for positioning the probe against an anterior wall of the catheter, away from a posterior vessel wall on which the catheter lies. In a second embodiment, a portion of the support tube extends outside the distal end of the catheter to prevent any possible contact between the sensing element and posterior vessel wall.

Abstract: A probe carrying sensor means at its distal tip is supported centrally within a blood vessel by an introducer catheter. The introducer catheter includes a percutaneously insertable shaft which is configured to engage and be supported by the inner luminal surface of the blood vessel. The distal tip of the catheter shaft is disposed along a central axis of the catheter such that when the catheter is disposed in the blood vessel, the distal tip will be disposed substantially along that axis and substantially in the center of the blood vessel lumen. The probe passed through the catheter thus will emerge from the distal outlet orifice of the catheter into the blood vessel at the central axis of the blood vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a sensor probe in vivo, including a probe advancement mechanism and a mating interconnection for positioning a distal end of a sensor probe a predetermined distance from the distal end of an indwelling catheter. The advancement mechanism includes a plurality of telescoping elements. The distal tip of the probe is moved from a retracted position within the advancement mechanism where the probe is maintained sterile and protected from breakage, to an advanced position wherein the distal tip of the probe is advanced through the catheter to a predetermined position with respect to the distal tip of the catheter at which the sensor measurement is made.