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 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: 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: 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.

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: A method and system for treatment for a body vessel having 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 the cutting device or system including cutting blades. 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: 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: A prosthesis delivery device comprises a cannula having an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof. 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: Tissue cutting systems and methods of tissue cutting are provided. In one example, the tissue cutting system includes a first device and a second device adapted for coupling to a power supply. The first device includes a conductive probe. The second device includes a conductive material, for example, as part of an expandable structure, having an outer surface area of conductive material that may be larger than a surface area of the conductive probe. The conductive probe and the conductive material are deployed along opposite sides of a body tissue, such as an aortic dissection flap. Selective electrical power is applied to the conductive probe and the conductive material to cut the body tissue.

Abstract: Magnetically actuated gating devices, magnetically actuated gating systems, magnetically actuated gating kits, and methods of treatment using a magnetically actuated gating device are described herein. An example embodiment of a magnetically actuated gating device comprises a housing, a rotatable member, a compression member, and a membrane. The rotatable member has a first magnetic field that is configured to interact with a second magnetic field produced by an external element to move the rotatable member between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A magnetic field device for directing a magnetic coupling source includes an electrical power source, a control module, a muzzle, and an electromagnet adjacent the muzzle and connected to the electrical power source. A magnetic sensor within the muzzle is adjacent to the electromagnet. A magnet loading chamber is adjacent to the electromagnet magnetic and opposite to the magnetic sensor. The magnet loading chamber is configured to accommodate one or more permanent magnets. A magnetic shield surrounds exterior surfaces of the electromagnet and magnet loading chamber. A user operable control device is electrically connected to the electromagnet and to the electrical power source. The control device regulates an amount of electric current from the electrical power source to the electromagnet. A magnet guidewire delivery system includes a guide wire having a magnetic element and a magnetic field device generating a magnetic field that couples with the magnetic element.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery device and method are described herein. An elongate sheath extends about a longitudinal axis, and a hub is coupled to the sheath. A handle is distal to the hub, and a connector assembly is coupled to a proximal end of the handle. The connector assembly is removably coupled to the hub, and the connector assembly includes a longitudinal passageway defined therein in communication with the longitudinal hub lumen. In one aspect, the connector assembly includes a plurality of jaw elements, and an actuating ring operable to move the jaw elements between the attachment configuration where the jaw elements are coupled to the hub, and the detachment configuration where the jaw elements are radially displaced and decoupled from the hub to remove a component from the sheath lumen.

Abstract: A controlled expansion stent graft delivery system has an adjustment configuration in which a retractable sheath is at a retracted position out of contact with a stent graft, but expansion of the stent graft is controlled by a control tether, which has a middle segment wrapped around a fabric tube of the stent graft. The stent graft changes diameter responsive to a tension level in the control tether. At least one of an orientation and a position of the stent graft may be adjusted during controlled expansion via the control tether.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis is provided including an tubular graft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a main lumen disposed therein, the tubular graft comprising a first biocompatible material; a plurality of stents disposed about a surface of the tubular graft and arranged in longitudinally spaced rows; at least one aperture disposed through a sidewall of the tubular graft, the at least one aperture positioned between two longitudinally spaced rows of stents; a valve arrangement associated with the at least one aperture, the valve arrangement being secured to the graft about the at least one aperture; and, an outer liner connected to the tubular graft between the proximal end and the distal end and surrounding the valve arrangement. In some embodiments, the valve arrangement comprises a third biocompatible material having four sides, wherein three of the four sides are secured to the graft.

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: 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.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery device comprises a cannula having an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof. 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: An endoluminal prosthesis assembly includes a delivery system having an introduction end, an operator end, and a stent graft retention region. An endoluminal prosthesis is disposed at the stent graft retention region. The prosthesis comprises a tubular body, an inner lumen extending between proximal and distal ends of the tubular body, at least one fenestration disposed in a sidewall of the body, and an internal branch at least partially formed with the sidewall of the body and disposed in parallel alignment with the prosthesis. A guide wire having a first end and a second end is pre-loaded with the prosthesis in the delivery system. At least a portion of the guide wire is disposed within the internal branch and the inner lumen of tubular body of the prosthesis prior to delivery of the prosthesis and during delivery and deployment of the prosthesis.

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.