Abstract: An expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of interconnected struts, the interconnected struts comprising a gradient of strut thickness from a first end to a second end of the tubular wall, the stent being expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent. The stent is ideally suited for applications in which a tortuous pathway must be followed to the stenosis or blockage and in which high radial rigidity of the expanded stent is required e.g., the treatment of ostial stenosis.

Abstract: A endovascular prosthesis for implantation in a body passageway. The prosthesis comprises a tubular wall which is: (i) movable between a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinally length, and (ii) radially expandable for implantation of the prosthesis in the body passageway. In one embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “accordion”-like action. In another embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “telescoping”-like action. The longitudinal length of the tubular wall may be varied in vivo to optimize deployment of the endovascular prosthesis.

Abstract: An endovascular sleeve which can be utilized to navigate a pair of guidewires to a bifurcated body passageway such that, once in place, the guidewires are substantially untwisted or untangled. This greatly facilitates delivery of the bifurcated stent to the bifurcated artery.

Abstract: An endovascular sleeve which can be utilized to navigate a pair of guidewires to a bifurcated body passageway such that, once in place, the guidewires are substantially untwisted or untangled. This greatly facilitates delivery of the bifurcated stent to the bifurcated artery.

Abstract: A endovascular prosthesis for implantation in a body passageway. The prosthesis comprises a tubular wall which is: (i) movable between a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinally length, and (ii) radially expandable for implantation of the prosthesis in the body passageway. In one embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “accordion”-like action. In another embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “telescoping”-like action. The longitudinal length of the tubular wall may be varied in vivo to optimize deployment of the endovascular prosthesis.

Abstract: A partially expanded stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of interconnecting struts. The partially expanded stent has been expanded ex vivo by the application of a radially outward force thereon from a first unexpanded position to a second pre-expanded position at which the stent has reached a point of plastic deformation. The partially expanded stent is further expandable in vivo upon the application of a radially outward force thereon from the second pre-expanded position to a third expanded position wherein the stent will undergo plastic deformation to reach a maximum yield point.

Abstract: Material is laser milled by generating a series of laser pulses, each pulse possessing a main portion and a tail, and preventing the energy in one or more portions of the pulse, from striking the material being processed. In one embodiment this is done by terminating the pulse before a portion of the tail is generated, thereby to reduce thermal stress and leave smooth edges on the laser-milled material.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another. The proximal end comprises a primary passageway and the distal end comprises a pair of secondary passageways. The stent is expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force exerted on the stent. Each of the primary passageway and the secondary passageway being constructed of a tubular wall having a porous surface, a method for production of a bifurcated stent is also described. The method comprises the step of connecting a first stent section to a second stent section, the first stent section having an end thereof adapted for connection to an opening disposed along the length of a second stent section.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of interconnected struts, the interconnected struts comprising a gradient of strut thickness from a first end to a second end of the tubular wall, the stent being expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent. The stent is ideally suited for applications in which a tortuous pathway must be followed to the stenosis or blockage and in which high radial rigidity of the expanded stent is required e.g., the treatment of ostial stenosis.

Abstract: An expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of interconnected struts, the interconnected struts comprising a gradient of strut thickness from a first end to a second end of the tubular wall, the stent being expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent. The stent is ideally suited for applications in which a tortuous pathway must be followed to the stenosis or blockage and in which high radial rigidity of the expanded stent is required—e.g., the treatment of ostial stenosis.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis for implantation in a body passageway. The prosthesis comprises an elongate tubular wall comprising an annular portion for occlusion of a section of the body passageway. The annular portion comprises a first porous section and a non-porous section. In one embodiment, the non-porous section may comprise a cover material. In another embodiment, the non-porous section may comprise a series of slits, microcuts, slots, apertures and the like which serve to impede the flow of bodily fluid therethrough resulting in occlusion of an aortic disease condition located exteriorly adjacent to the deployed prosthesis.

Abstract: A endovascular prosthesis for implantation in a body passageway. The prosthesis comprises a tubular wall which is: (i) movable between a first longitudinal length and a second longitudinally length, and (ii) radially expandible for implantation of the prosthesis in the body passageway. In one embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “accordian”-like action. In another embodiment, the tubular wall has a longitudinally length which is variable by an “telescoping”-like action. The longitudinal length of the tubular wall may be varied in vivo to optimize deployment of the endovascular prosthesis.

Abstract: A novel endovascular approach useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. The present endovascular prosthesis comprises a leaf portion capable of being urged against and blocking the opening of the aneurysm thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. The leaf portion is attached to, and independently moveable with respect to, a body comprising at least one expandable portion. Thus, the body serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and the leaf portion serves the purpose of blocking the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: A novel endovascular approach useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. The present endovascular prosthesis comprises a leaf portion capable of being urged against and blocking the opening of the aneurysm thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. The leaf portion is attached to, and independently moveable with respect to, a body comprising at least one expandable portion. Thus, the body serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and the leaf portion serves the purpose of blocking the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: A novel endovascular approach useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. The present endovascular prosthesis comprises a leaf portion capable of being urged against and blocking the opening of the aneurysm thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. The leaf portion is attached to, and independently moveable with respect to, a body comprising at least one expandable portion. Thus, the body serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and the leaf portion serves the purpose of blocking the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing an expandable stent includes steps of: (i) selectively removing portions of a solid tubular wall having a diameter substantially the same as that of the stent in a second, expanded position to define multiple sections of the porous surface connected to one another by a series of axially disposed connecting members; (ii) radially compressing the stent by applying a radially inward force on the multiple sections and the connecting members such that the multiple sections have a diameter substantially the same as that of the stent in the first, compressed position; and (iii) removing the connecting members between the multiple sections to produce the stent in the first position.

Abstract: A novel endovascular approach useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. The present endovascular prosthesis comprises a leaf portion capable of being urged against and blocking the opening of the aneurysm thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. The leaf portion is attached to, and independently moveable with respect to, a body comprising at least one expandable portion. Thus, the body serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and the leaf portion serves the purpose of blocking the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: A novel endovascular approach useful in the treatment of aneurysms, particularly saccular aneurysms. The present endovascular prosthesis comprises a leaf portion capable of being urged against and blocking the opening of the aneurysm thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. The leaf portion is attached to, and independently moveable with respect to, a body comprising at least one expandable portion. Thus, the body serves the general purpose of fixing the endovascular prosthesis in place at a target body passageway in the vicinity at which the aneurysm is located and the leaf portion serves the purpose of blocking the aneurysmal opening thereby leading to obliteration of the aneurysm. A method of delivering and implanting the endovascular prosthesis is also described.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another. The proximal end comprises a primary passageway and the distal end comprises a pair of secondary passageways. The stent is expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force exerted on the stent. Each of the primary passageway and the secondary passageway being constructed of has a porous surface. A method for production of a bifurcated stent is also described. Preferably, the method comprises the step of connecting a first stent section to a second stent section, the first stent section having an end thereof adapted for connection to an opening disposed along the length of a second stent section.

Abstract: An expandable bifurcated stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another. The proximal end comprises a primary passageway and the distal end comprises a pair of secondary passageways. The stent is expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force exerted on the stent. Each of the primary passageway and the secondary passageway being constructed of has a porous surface. A method for production of a bifurcated stent is also described. Preferably, the method comprises the step of connecting a first stent section to a second stent section, the first stent section having an end thereof adapted for connection to an opening disposed along the length of a second stent section.