Abstract: An introducer assembly is provided with a handle assembly (10) which enables automatic retraction and splitting of a sheath (12) of the assembly. The handle includes a drum (22) onto which the sheath (12) can be wound, as well as a cutting blade (30) and a locking assembly (34). The locking assembly (34) provides for flushing of the space between the sheath (12) and inner catheter or other element (14), in a manner in which the handle assembly (10) is not filled with flushing fluid. The locking assembly (34) also provides for clamping of the sheath (12) during transportation and initial insertion of the introducer assembly into a patient and for release of the sheath (12) after flushing and when it is desired to retract the sheath (12). Once so released, the sheath (12) can be retracted and automatically split by means of the cutting blade (30).

Abstract: An introducer assembly is provided with a handle assembly (10) which enables automatic retraction and splitting of a sheath (12) of the assembly. The handle includes a drum (22) onto which the sheath (12) can be wound, as well as a cutting blade (30) and a locking assembly (34). The locking assembly (34) provides for flushing of the space between the sheath (12) and inner catheter or other element (14), in a manner in which the handle assembly (10) is not filled with flushing fluid. The locking assembly (34) also provides for clamping of the sheath (12) during transportation and initial insertion of the introducer assembly into a patient and for release of the sheath (12) after flushing and when it is desired to retract the sheath (12). Once so released, the sheath (12) can be retracted and automatically split by means of the cutting blade (30).

Abstract: A guide wire (1) to assist percutaneous endovascular deployment which has zones of varying stiffness. An elongate central zone (3) of high stiffness, a proximal zone (4) of transition from high stiffness to semi-stiffness and a distal zone (5) of transition from high stiffness to being relatively flexible. The distal zone (5) has three zones, a semi stiff zone (11) adjacent the central zone, a transition zone (13) being of flexibility of from semi-stiff extending to flexible and a tip zone (15) being of high flexibility. The distal tip has a small J curve (16) to ensure that it is atraumatic in vessels and to prevent damage to the aortic heart valve. The distal zone (5) can also have a large curve to assist with anchoring the guide wire into the aortic arch.

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.

Abstract: A guide wire (1) to assist percutaneous endovascular deployment which has zones of varying stiffness. An elongate central zone (3) of high stiffness, a proximal zone (4) of transition from high stiffness to semi-stiffness and a distal zone (5) of transition from high stiffness to being relatively flexible. The distal zone (5) has three zones, a semi stiff zone (11) adjacent the central zone, a transition zone (13) being of flexibility of from semi-stiff extending to flexible and a tip zone (15) being of high flexibility. The distal tip has a small J curve (16) to ensure that it is atraumatic in vessels and to prevent damage to the aortic heart valve. The distal zone (5) can also have a large curve to assist with anchoring the guide wire into the aortic arch.