Abstract: An occlusive implant system may include a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough, a core wire slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen, the core wire having a threaded member disposed at a distal end, and a medical implant having an expandable frame, an occlusive element disposed on the frame, and a threaded insert coupled to a proximal portion of the frame, wherein the threaded member is removably coupled to the threaded insert.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage closure implant may include a support frame including a first bend extending from a proximal collar to a second bend, a first segment extending from the second bend to a third bend, a second segment extending from the third bend to a fourth bend, and a third segment extending from the fourth bend to a distal collar, wherein the support frame is actuatable from a first constrained position to a second flowering position to a third mid-deployment position to a fourth unconstrained position. An implant may include a self-expanding support frame having a circumference and a central longitudinal axis, a membrane disposed over at least a portion of the support frame, and a plurality of anchors arranged into a first row and a second row such that the first row and the second row form a staggered pattern about the circumference of the support frame.

Abstract: An occlusive implant system may include a catheter having a lumen extending therethrough, a core wire slidably and rotatably disposed within the lumen, the core wire having a threaded member disposed at a distal end, and a medical implant having an expandable frame, an occlusive element disposed on the frame, and a threaded insert coupled to a proximal portion of the frame, wherein the threaded member is removably coupled to the threaded insert.

Abstract: A left atrial appendage closure implant may include a support frame including a first bend extending from a proximal collar to a second bend, a first segment extending from the second bend to a third bend, a second segment extending from the third bend to a fourth bend, and a third segment extending from the fourth bend to a distal collar, wherein the support frame is actuatable from a first constrained position to a second flowering position to a third mid-deployment position to a fourth unconstrained position. An implant may include a self-expanding support frame having a circumference and a central longitudinal axis, a membrane disposed over at least a portion of the support frame, and a plurality of anchors arranged into a first row and a second row such that the first row and the second row form a staggered pattern about the circumference of the support frame.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having barbs reducing in height and/or changing angle as the implantable medical device transitions for an expanded state to a constrained state is disclosed which may lessen the risk of injury associated with the removal and/or repositioning of a deployed device. Within the main body of the device may be positioned a plurality of fixation struts having an end secured to the main body and a barb end exiting the main body at a point of egress and extending radially outwards from the main body. The fixation struts may be secured to the main body such that the distance between the point of attachment of the secured end of a fixation strut and the respective point of egress from the main body its free barb forming end is greater in the constrained than expanded state.

Abstract: Occlusion device for an atrial appendage, the device having proximal and distal ends and a central axis and comprising a cage-like structure formed of struts, the struts having proximal strut ends and distal strut ends, wherein at the proximal end of the device the struts extend towards the central axis and are connected to each other at their proximal strut ends, and wherein at least some of the struts are connected to each other at their distal strut ends within the cage-like structure so that the struts form an atraumatic distal end of the device.

Abstract: Stents having a plurality of serpentine bands including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion therebetween are herein disclosed. Each of the bands includes peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the proximal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the distal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. The repeating pattern of the proximal end portion is different than the repeating pattern of the distal end portion.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis comprises a plurality of serpentine bands. Each serpentine band comprises a plurality of interconnected struts forming peaks and troughs. Adjacent serpentine bands are interconnected by one or more connectors. First and second serpentine bands are connected via at least one connector. The connector has a first side facing one the struts and a second side facing another of the struts. The connector extends from an inside of a trough of the first serpentine bands to the outside of a trough of the other of the serpentine bands. The connector has a first bump extending from the first side and a second bump extending from the second side opposite the first, the first bump located adjacent a first peak and the second bump located adjacent a second peak.

Abstract: Stents having a plurality of serpentine bands including a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a middle portion therebetween are herein disclosed. Each of the bands includes peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the proximal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. Serpentine bands of the distal end portion are connected together in a repeating pattern of connected and unconnected peaks and valleys. The repeating pattern of the proximal end portion is different than the repeating pattern of the distal end portion.

Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other. A method for treating a lumen with the stent is also claimed.

Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other. A method for treating a lumen with the stent is also claimed.

Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.

Abstract: A multi-layer membrane structure including a crosslinked polymeric membrane, such as a crosslinked polyvinyl sulfate membrane or a crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, is provided. The membrane structure is suitable for use in an acid environment, and is suitable for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water.

Abstract: A crosslinked polymeric membrane, such as a crosslinked polyvinyl sulfate membrane or a crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, is provided. The membrane is suitable for use in an acid environment, and is suitable for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a braided birfurcated stent involves the use of two or more braiding machines. In this process, a first discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a first leg, and a second discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a second leg. Either the same braiding machine may be used or two different braiding machines may be used. The process also involves braiding the first plurality of filaments and the second plurality of filaments together to form the body using yet another braiding machine. Either the legs or body may be braided first.

Abstract: A bifurcated, braided stent has a body that branches into a plurality of legs and is adapted for deployment in a lumen. At least a portion of each leg of the stent comprises a discrete plurality of continuous filaments braided together, and at least a portion of the body comprises one or more of the continuous filaments from each of the legs braided together. The stent can be used for treating a diseased bifurcated lumen of a human being by deploying the stent therein. The stent can be constructed by a process comprising braiding each plurality of filaments to form the leg sections, and braiding one or more filaments from each plurality of filaments together to form the body. The process may be performed by creating the legs first and then the body, or vice versa. The stent may be constructed on a mandrel using a braiding machine.

Abstract: A crosslinked polymeric polyvinyl sulfate membrane or crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, suitable for use in an acid environment, and its use for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water, the method comprising: processing said mixture using a first polymeric membrane to form a first retentate containing a substantially greater concentration of hydrocarbons than said feed mixture and a first permeate containing a substantially greater concentration of acid and water than said mixture, said first polymeric membrane being selectively permeable to the acid and water over the hydrocarbons found in the mixture, and recovering the first permeate; said first permeate can be processed further using a second water reduction mean to form a first stream containing a substantially greater concentration of acid than said first permeate and a second stream containing a substantially greater concentration of water than said first permeate, said water red

Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a braided birfurcated stent involves the use of two or more braiding machines. In this process, a first discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a first leg, and a second discrete plurality of filaments are braided to form a second leg. Either the same braiding machine may be used or two different braiding machines may be used. The process also involves braiding the first plurality of filaments and the second plurality of filaments together to form the body using yet another braiding machine. Either the legs or body may be braided first.

Abstract: A stent comprising a plurality of continuous filaments braided together, at least one filament comprising a tapered filament having at least one first region having a first, relatively-larger cross-sectional area and at least one second region having a second, relatively-smaller cross-sectional area. The stent itself may have a tapered diameter, such as from one end to the other.