Abstract: A stent graft for deployment in the aortic arch including at least a proximal stent ring at the proximal end of the tubular graft material, at least one fenestration provided in a side wall of the tubular graft material, an internal branch disposed within the lumen of the stent graft and extending from the fenestration. A fenestration-supporting stent ring supports the fenestration between two struts and an apex of the fenestration supporting ring. The proximal stent ring has plurality of stent units including at least one scallop unit, at least one supporting unit, and at least one body unit. The proximal apex of each scallop unit is located at a laterally extending edge of the scallop in a first circumferential region and the proximal apex of each supporting unit is located a second circumferential region. The first and second struts of each of the at least one scallop unit are shorter than the first and second struts of each of the at least one supporting unit.

Abstract: Examples of prostheses are provided having an internal branch. A tubular graft body of the prosthesis defines a main lumen extending between an inflow end and an outflow end of the graft body. A stent structure is coupled along the graft body. A trough is at least partially defined by a trough wall extending into the main lumen from a sidewall of the graft body. A side branch defines a branch lumen and extends from the trough within the main lumen towards one of the inflow or outflow ends of the graft body. A branch lumen facing surface of the trough wall is a continuous surface with an outer surface of the sidewall of the graft body. A boundary of the trough may be configured to provide a smooth transition surface between the trough and the sidewall.

Abstract: A modular handle assembly comprises a stationary main handle having proximal and distal ends. A first handle extends proximally from the main handle and is rotationally moveable relative to the main handle, the first handle having proximal and distal ends, wherein a rotational interface is located at the distal end. A second handle extends distally from the main handle and is rotationally moveable relative to the main handle, the second handle having proximal and distal ends, wherein a rotational interface is located at the proximal end. The proximal end of the main handle comprises a first rotational interface that is configured to engage with a rotational interface at the distal end of the first handle and wherein the distal end of the main handle comprises a second rotational interface that is configured to engage with the rotational interface at the proximal end of the second handle.

Abstract: Examples of prostheses are provided having an internal branch. A tubular graft body of the prosthesis defines a main lumen extending between an inflow end and an outflow end of the graft body. A stent structure is coupled along the graft body. A trough is at least partially defined by a trough wall extending into the main lumen from a sidewall of the graft body. A side branch defines a branch lumen and extends from the trough within the main lumen towards one of the inflow or outflow ends of the graft body. A branch lumen facing surface of the trough wall is a continuous surface with an outer surface of the sidewall of the graft body. A boundary of the trough may be configured to provide a smooth transition surface between the trough and the sidewall.

Abstract: Examples of prostheses are provided having an internal branch. A tubular graft body of the prosthesis defines a main lumen extending between an inflow end and an outflow end of the graft body. A stent structure is coupled along the graft body. A trough is at least partially defined by a trough wall extending into the main lumen from a sidewall of the graft body. A side branch defines a branch lumen and extends from the trough within the main lumen towards one of the inflow or outflow ends of the graft body. A branch lumen facing surface of the trough wall is a continuous surface with an outer surface of the sidewall of the graft body. A boundary of the trough may be configured to provide a smooth transition surface between the trough and the sidewall.

Abstract: Prostheses and methods of making the same are provided. The prosthesis has an internal branch configuration. A trough or branch opening is at least partially defined by a trough wall extending into a main lumen from a sidewall of the prosthesis. The internal branch extends from the trough within the main lumen towards one of the outflow end of the graft body in a helical, retrograde arrangement. Other arrangements are described. The prosthesis may include a scalloped fenestration having a width larger than the trough. The trough may be positioned along a tapered region of the prosthesis. The trough and internal branch may be made from the same graft material. The trough and internal branch, in addition to the main graft body, may be made from the same graft material.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprises: a graft defining an elongate lumen having a longitudinal axis; an external stent having a plurality of struts and apices between the struts, the apices including proximal apices and distal apices; a set of proximal sutured knots, the proximal sutured knots securing the proximal apices of the stent to the graft; a set of distal sutured knots, the distal sutured knots securing the distal apices of the stent to the graft; and a plurality of intermediate sutured knots, formed along a continuous suture, the continuous suture including a plurality of bridging portions, the bridging portions bridging between neighbouring struts of the stent, the intermediate sutured knots securing struts of the stent to the graft.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprises: a graft defining an elongate lumen having a longitudinal axis; an external stent having a plurality of struts and apices between the struts, the apices including proximal apices and distal apices; a set of proximal sutured knots, the proximal sutured knots securing the proximal apices of the stent to the graft; a set of distal sutured knots, the distal sutured knots securing the distal apices of the stent to the graft; and a plurality of intermediate sutured knots, formed along a continuous suture, the continuous suture including a plurality of bridging portions, the bridging portions bridging between neighbouring struts of the stent, the intermediate sutured knots securing struts of the stent to the graft.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a preloaded stent graft delivery device includes a guidewire catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a guide wire lumen therethrough; a nose cone dilator at the proximal end of the guide wire catheter, the nose cone dilator comprising a distal end and a capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a handle assembly at the distal end of the guidewire catheter, the handle assembly comprising a first section and a second section releasably connected to the handle assembly and in communication with the capsule on the distal end of the nose cone dilator; a ratchet assembly disposed within an interior surface of the first section of the handle assembly; a pusher catheter extending from the handle assembly towards the nose cone dilator; and a sheath disposed coaxially over the pusher catheter.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart includes a graft having a tubular body with a lumen extending from proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart to a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. A collar around the graft is sized and configured to be sutured to a patient's aorta. Passageways in the middle portion of the graft permit fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to an exterior of the graft. A respective bridging branch is disposed at each of the passageways, each of the bridging branches having an inner opening and an outer opening so that the bridging branches provide fluid communication from the lumen of the graft to the exterior of the graft. A respective bridging graft is sized and arranged to mate with each of the bridging branches.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pre-loaded stent graft delivery device. The pre-loaded stent graft delivery device includes a guide wire catheter having a guide wire lumen therethrough; and a handle assembly disposed at a distal end of the guide wire catheter. The handle assembly includes a proximal handle, a rotational handle, a slot, and a sheath follower. The proximal handle, including a manifold including at least one side port, is disposed at a proximal end of the handle assembly. The slot is disposed inside the rotational handle, and is fixed and remains stationary relative to the proximal handle. The sheath follower is disposed slidably in the slot and fixed to a distal portion of a sheath. The rotational handle includes an internal thread mechanically coupled with the sheath follower, so that, when the rotational handle rotates toward a first rotational direction, the sheath is pulled to move distally.

Abstract: Methods of reducing air within a stent graft delivery device are disclosed, utilizing various flushing techniques. A port in a manifold that includes a pusher catheter coaxially disposed about a guide wire catheter is flushed. A portion in a sheath hub that excludes a longitudinally extended outer sheath coaxially disposed about the pusher catheter is flushed with a flushing fluid and/or a blood soluble gas, such as carbon dioxide. The guide wire catheter is also flushed.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a body vessel is provided. The body vessel includes a dissection flap formed from a wall of the body vessel, which longitudinally separates a natural body vessel lumen into a true lumen and a false lumen. One or more cuts are formed in the dissection flap with a cutting device or system. An expandable device is inserted within the true lumen, and expanded to reappose the dissection flap against the wall of the body vessel where the dissection flap was detached from the wall such that the false lumen is closed. A variety of cut patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide systems and methods for deploying at least a portion of a stent. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cannula having an outer surface, and at least one coiled member having proximal and distal ends and a plurality of turns disposed therebetween. One of the proximal and distal ends of the coiled member is secured to the outer surface of the cannula, and the other of the proximal and distal ends of the coiled member is unsecured relative to the outer surface of the cannula. A portion of a stent is looped around the unsecured end of the coiled member and disposed within spacing between adjacent turns of the coiled member. Rotation of the cannula subsequently causes the portion of the stent to disengage from the coiled member.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system includes a graft having a tubular body with a proximal end and a distal end. A lumen extends from the proximal end to the distal end. A proximal portion of the graft includes the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft includes the distal end; and a middle portion of the graft extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion. A plurality of connection branches are attached to the middle portion. Each of the connection branches has an inner opening at an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer opening at an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. Each of the connection branches is pivotable in a proximal and distal direction and a circumferential direction relative to the middle portion. Further, each of the connection branches includes an expandable seal stent at the outer end.

Abstract: An endoluminal graft includes a tubular graft material having a closed sleeve integral with the tubular graft material. The closed sleeve extends a distance along the tubular graft material. A length of wire extends at least partially along the distance and is enclosed by the sleeve. The tubular graft material and the sleeve may comprise a single piece of graft material. The sleeve may be a closed circumferential sleeve and/or a closed longitudinal sleeve.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery device having a cannula with an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof is disclosed. A prosthesis is retained on the cannula distal of the expandable device. Expansion of the expandable device retains and centers the delivery device and the prosthesis carried thereon in the vessel and allows repositioning of the prosthesis without contacting the proximal end of the prosthesis with the vessel walls prior to deployment.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a prosthesis delivery device is described. The handle assembly comprises a stationary main handle having a proximal end and a distal end and an outer surface extending there between. A first handle extends proximally from the main handle and is rotationally moveable relative to the main handle, the first handle having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a first handle interior. A second handle extends distally from the main handle and is rotationally moveable relative to the main handle, the second handle having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a second handle interior. The first handle comprises a threaded internal surface extending between the proximal and distal ends and the second handle comprises a threaded internal surface extending between the proximal and distal ends.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for being deployed in a patient's aorta near the heart, includes a graft having a main body with a proximal end configured to be deployed near a patient's heart and a distal end configured to be deployed away from the patient's heart. The main body defines a proximal portion of the graft including the proximal end; a distal portion of the graft including the distal end; a middle portion of the graft extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. A connection branch attached to the middle portion has an inner end attached to the middle portion and an outer end disposed radially outwardly from the inner end. The outer end of the connection branch includes a terminal ring composed of at least two partial rings pivotable relative to each other and including at least one radially outward barb.

Abstract: Various stents and stent-graft systems for treatment of medical conditions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary stent-graft system may be used for endovascular treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The stent-graft system may comprise proximal and distal components, each comprising a graft having proximal and distal ends, where upon deployment the proximal and distal components at least partially overlap with one another to provide a fluid passageway therebetween. The proximal component may comprise a proximal stent having a plurality of proximal and distal apices connected by a plurality of generally straight portions, where a radius of curvature of at least one of the proximal apices may be greater than the radius of curvature of at least one of the distal apices. The distal component may comprise a proximal z-stent coupled to the graft, where the proximal end of the graft comprises at least scallop formed therein that generally follows the shape of the proximal z-stent.