Abstract: A multi lumen catheter assembly. The assembly provides an expandable, low profile, fixed length sheath and catheter, with fixed infusion ports. The assembly has an expandable outer sheath that expands upon pressure activation with a fluid and the sheath allows the fluid to exit from at least one predetermined fixed location from a distal end of the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly can be used in various medical device procedures, such as a TIPS (Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt) procedure, or anywhere a low profile, multi lumen, infusion catheter system is desired.

Abstract: An anastomotic connector includes a tubular shell and a porous biocompatible liner configured to connect two or more natural and/or artificial lumens, such as blood vessels and/or grafts. The tubular shell may be bioabsorbable, ultimately dissolving in the body, while the biocompatible liner can remain in the body and connected to the lumens.

Abstract: A system for removing plaque or thrombus from the vasculature and/or deployed medical devices is described. An embodiment can include a plaque reduction brush comprising at least one support adapted to allow the brush to be endoluminally deliverable via a delivery device to a treatment site; and a plurality of bristles extending from the at least one support and being arranged in a predetermined pattern along the at least one support, each of the plurality of bristles having a length, wherein one or more of the plurality of bristles has a bending portion along the length that is more easily bent than another portion of the length thereof, said bending portion facilitating bending of the one or more of the plurality of bristles between a compressed delivery configuration and an expanded use configuration.

Abstract: An implantable containment apparatus for receiving and retaining a biological moiety or a therapeutic device within a tissue bed is disclosed. The device includes a shaping element to maintain the device in a generally toroidal configuration and to return the apparatus to that configuration after deformation. The apparatus can be placed in a host tissue with minimal trauma to the patient. Methods for implanting and using the apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.

Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are typically web-shaped and result from creating slits or apertures in a covering of graft material applied to the stent and then, for example, applying heat to cause the slits or apertures to enlarge. The remaining graft material forms the interconnecting webs between the adjacent stent elements.

Abstract: A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

Abstract: A stent graft including (1) a stent having a wall having at least one opening, an outer surface, and an inner surface and (2) a covering of a composite material having a least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer is provided. The cover can be used to cover the outer and/or the inner surface of the stent. The expanded fluoropolymer membrane contains serpentine fibrils. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite material may be axially and/or circumferentially wrapped around the stent. The composite material is fold-free throughout its operating diameter range and exhibits a sharp increase in stiffness at a predetermined diameter. The stent graft can be designed to have a stop point in either a radial or axial direction. The stent graft can advantageously be implanted undersized with respect to a nominal diameter without having material infolding.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise occlusion and drug delivery devices and methods. One aspect of the disclosure comprises a drug delivery device comprising an inner expansion member and an outer drug delivery component. Another aspect of the disclosure comprises bioabsorbable, lumen-occluding implants.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device comprising a balloon assembly including a balloon, a film template, and a rigid element. The film template may have a fixed upper distension limit and may include at least one aperture. The rigid element may lay substantially flush with an outer surface of the balloon at a first inflated state of the balloon. The first upper distension limit of the balloon may be greater than the fixed upper distension limit of the film template and the balloon may outwardly protrude through the at least one aperture at a second inflated state. The rigid element may be extended in a radial direction away from the outer surface of the balloon as the balloon outwardly protrudes through the at least one aperture relative to the outer surface of the film template.

Abstract: A tapered implantable device includes an ePTFE tubular member having a tapered length portion. The tapered length portion provides rapid recovery properties. The tapered length portion can feature a microstructure that includes a multiplicity of bent fibrils.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a device comprising a balloon disposed at least partially along a template, the template including an aperture, wherein the template has a substantially cylindrical portion that resists deformation in a radial direction, wherein the balloon expands radially during inflation, wherein a portion of the balloon at least partially protrudes about the aperture. Other embodiments are directed toward balloons having textured surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to medical devices and methods of using them. The devices are prostheses which can be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The prostheses are configured to have a lattice resistant to dilation and creep, which is defined by a plurality of openings. The prosthesis may also optionally have a stent disposed proximal to the lattice. In exemplary embodiments, the fluoropolymer is expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The composite materials exhibit high elongation while substantially retaining the strength properties of the fluoropolymer membrane. In at least one embodiment, the lattice is made of a composite material that includes a least one fluoropolymer membrane including serpentine fibrils and an elastomer. A lattice including a generally tubular member formed of a composite material including a least one fluoropolymer membrane containing serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for an endovascular catheter that can be inserted within tortuous body anatomies and then selectively stiffened and fixed in place. In a particular embodiment, this stiffness is reversible. The stiffness or a comparable mechanical characteristic of the catheter assembly may be adjusted to a relatively low value during insertion (so that it easily navigates a guide wire or the like), and then subsequently adjusted to a relatively high value in situ to keep the catheter assembly substantially fixed in place (i.e., during delivery of an interventional device).

Abstract: An endoluminal device comprises a tubular member and a reinforcement member that is separable from, or together with, a wall of the tubular member, and removable in-situ.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the disclosure, a dual net vascular filtration device comprises a central frame, a proximal filter net attached to a proximal end of the central frame, and a distal filter net attached to a distal end of the central frame. Upon deployment, the distal filter net can be configured to evert into the proximal filter net.

Abstract: Implantable grafts, particularly for arteriovenous access that may be punctured by an object such as a needle and, following removal of the object, will reseal the resulting hole to the extent of reducing fluid leakage through the graft at the puncture site to an amount less than would be typical for a conventional graft. More particularly, the grafts comprise three layers; an inner layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE, a middle layer of self sealing elastomeric material such as silicone, and an outer layer of implantable graft material such as ePTFE. Following manufacture, the tubular form of the three-layer graft is everted to put substantially the entire wall thickness of the elastomeric material layer under circumferential compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to materials having therapeutic compositions releasably contained within the materials. The materials are configured to release therapeutic compositions at a desired rate. The present invention also relates to devices incorporating the materials.