Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a second undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a first substantially longitudinal connector extending between the first and second undulating bands and a second very short connector extending between the first and second undulating bands, the first connector substantially longer than the second very short connector.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is disclosed that has an outer assembly and an inner assembly that accommodates a stent. The inner assembly further has an external assembly contact area projecting from its surface that frictionally contacts an inner surface of the outer assembly. The contact area is positioned at one end of the inner assembly, proximal to the stent accommodating area. Also disclosed is a method of using the stent delivery system.

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 prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including translucent layers, opaque layers, and a braid composed of helically wound metal filaments. The outer catheter has a translucent distal adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained. Radiopaque markers can be mounted to the outer catheter and to an inner catheter used to deploy the prosthesis, to afford a combined visual and fluoroscopic monitoring for enhanced accuracy in positioning the prosthesis, both before and during its deployment.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow a stent to be folded within a balloon of a stent delivery system. In one example, a stent has first and second columns that extend from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. Each of the first columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprise a plurality of elements that each have a substantially polygonal shape. Each of the second columns extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and are between adjacent first columns. Each of the respective second columns include a plurality of first connectors that have a curvilinear shape and that extend in a substantially circumferential direction to connect adjacent first columns. The stent also has a plurality of second connectors, wherein at least one of the second connectors extends between a first element and a second element.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including a translucent inner liner running the complete catheter length, and three outer layers including a translucent distal layer, an opaque medial layer and an opaque proximal outer layer. The outer layers are adjacent one another and are bonded to the liner. A braid composed of helically wound metal filaments is disposed between the liner and the proximal and medial outer layers, and includes a distal portion between the liner and a proximal portion of the distal outer layer. The liner and distal outer layer provide a translucent distal region of the catheter that is adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a second undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a first substantially longitudinal connector extending between the first and second undulating bands and a second very short connector extending between the first and second undulating bands, the first connector substantially longer than the second very short connector.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a second undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a first substantially longitudinal connector extending between the first and second undulating bands and a second very short connector extending between the first and second undulating bands, the first connector substantially longer than the second very short connector.

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 method of attaching radiopaque markers to an intraluminal medical device frame formed from a shape memory metal or alloy thereof, the process conducted during the shape recovery process of said shape memory metal or alloy thereof.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery and deployment device includes an elongate and flexible outer catheter. The outer catheter has a tubular wall of layered construction, including a translucent inner liner running the complete catheter length, and three outer layers including a translucent distal layer, an opaque medial layer and an opaque proximal outer layer. The outer layers are adjacent one another and are bonded to the liner. A braid composed of helically wound metal filaments is disposed between the liner and the proximal and medial outer layers, and includes a distal portion between the liner and a proximal portion of the distal outer layer. The liner and distal outer layer provide a translucent distal region of the catheter that is adapted to constrain a radially self-expanding prosthesis in a radially reduced, axially elongated state. Because the stent constraining region is translucent, an endoscope can be used to visually monitor the stent when so constrained.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band comprising a series of alternating first peaks and first troughs and a second undulating band comprising a series of alternating second peaks and second troughs. The first undulating band has a first wavelength and a first amplitude and the second undulating band has a second wavelength and a second amplitude where the second amplitude is different from the first amplitude and the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength. A plurality of longitudinally oriented first connectors extend between the first peaks and second peaks.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a second undulating band having alternating peaks and troughs, a first substantially longitudinal connector extending between the first and second undulating bands and a second very short connector extending between the first and second undulating bands, the first connector substantially longer than the second very short connector.

Abstract: A method of attaching radiopaque markers to an intraluminal medical device frame formed from a shape memory metal or alloy thereof, the process conducted during the shape recovery process of said shape memory metal or alloy thereof.

Abstract: A stent delivery system is disclosed that has an outer assembly and an inner assembly that accommodates a stent. The inner assembly further has an external assembly contact area projecting from its surface that frictionally contacts an inner surface of the outer assembly. The contact area is positioned at one end of the inner assembly, proximal to the stent accommodating area. Also disclosed is a method of using the stent delivery system.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a stent may be provided comprising a first undulating band comprising a series of alternating first peaks and first troughs and a second undulating band comprising a series of alternating second peaks and second troughs. The first undulating band has a first wavelength and a first amplitude and the second undulating band has a second wavelength and a second amplitude where the second amplitude is different from the first amplitude and the second wavelength is different from the first wavelength. A plurality of longitudinally oriented first connectors extend between the first peaks and second peaks.