Abstract: The present technology relates generally to endovascular prostheses. More particularly, the disclosure relates to endovascular prostheses having an outer surface of a graft material thereof associated with a hydrogel composition, which may swell upon implantation within a blood vessel, thereby mediating various complications associated with endovascular procedures. The hydrogel compositions can also include various stabilizing polymers and active agents to further aid their use in the body.

Abstract: A distal aortic stent graft assembly including a main body having a proximal end and a distal end. The main body defines a peripheral opening. The proximal end defines a proximal opening. The distal end defines a distal opening. The proximal opening and the distal opening are configured to perfuse blood through the main body when the main body is in a deployed state. The distal aortic stent graft assembly further includes a coupling extending radially from the main body and corresponding to the opening in the main body. The coupling is configured to align with a blood vessel and perfuse blood through the coupling when the coupling is in the deployed state.

Abstract: A method of deploying a modular multibranch stent assembly. The method includes deploying a first modular stent device in an ascending aorta. The first modular stent device includes a main body, a bypass gate extending from the main body, and a bifurcated contra limb extending from the main body. The bifurcated contra limb includes a first distal limb and a second distal limb. The method further includes deploying a first bridging stent graft in the first distal limb and/or a second bridging stent graft in the second distal limb.

Abstract: A method for creating an engineered landing zone includes delivering a landing zone prosthesis in a radially compressed configuration to a site of an aneurysm within a vessel. The landing zone prosthesis includes a frame, an engineered landing zone, and graft material coupled at a first end to the frame and at a second end to the engineered landing zone. The method further includes radially expanding the frame at the site of the aneurysm while the engineered landing zone remains in the radially compressed configuration longitudinally spaced from the frame, securing to the vessel, longitudinally translating the engineered landing zone such that the engineered landing zone is at least partially disposed within the frame, and radially expanding the engineered landing zone.

Abstract: A stent graft assembly including a main body and a branch coupling extending radially from the main body. A proximal end of the single branch stent device is configured to seal in an ascending portion of an aorta. The assembly further includes a modular stent device including a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the modular stent graft is configured to couple to a distal end of the single branch stent device. The modular stent device includes a main body configured to couple inside the main body of the single branch stent device. The modular stent device includes a bypass gate and an artery leg. The modular stent device is configured to bifurcate at a bifurcation point from the main body to the bypass gate and the artery leg outside of and distal the distal end of the single branch stent device.

Abstract: Neural network systems and methods are provided. In one embodiment, a method of making a neural network device includes: forming a mesh layer on a substrate, the mesh layer including a matrix of randomly dispersed conductive nano-strands insulated from one another; forming an isolation trench extending into the mesh layer; forming a memristor device extending into the mesh layer, the memristor device including: an electrical conductor, and a layer of memristive material in electrical contact with individual nano-strands of a first set of conductive nano-strands in the mesh layer; forming an electrode extending into the mesh layer and spaced from the memristor device by the isolation trench, wherein the electrode is in electrical contact with individual conductive nano-strands of a second set of conductive nano-strands in the mesh layer; and forming a modulating device bridging the memristor device and the electrode.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a modular stent device that is deployed into the ascending aorta via femoral access. The modular stent device is a base or anchor component to which additional modular stent devices can be attached to exclude diseased areas of the aorta while at the same time allowing perfusion of the brachiocephalic artery, the left common carotid artery, and/or the left subclavian artery.

Abstract: Optical and electronic detection of chemicals, and particularly strong electron-donors, by 2H to 1T phase-based transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films, detection apparatus incorporating the TMD films, methods for forming the detection apparatus, and detection systems and methods based on the TMD films are provided. The detection apparatus includes a 2H phase TMD film that transitions to the 1T phase under exposure to strong electron donors. After exposure, the phase state can be determined to assess whether all or a portion of the TMD has undergone a transition from the 2H phase to the 1T phase. Following detection, TMD films in the 1T phase can be converted back to the 2H phase, resulting in a reusable chemical sensor that is selective for strong electron donors.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a modular stent device including a main body configured to be deployed in the ascending aorta, a bypass gate configured to be deployed in the aorta, and a bifurcated contra limb. The bifurcated contra limb includes a single proximal limb that is bifurcated (split) into a first distal limb and a second distal limb. By forming the bifurcated contra limb to include a single proximal limb that is bifurcated into the distal limbs, guiding a guide wire into the relatively larger opening of bifurcated contra limb at a proximal end is simpler than guiding a guidewire into two smaller limbs extending distally from main body. Accordingly, cannulation of the bifurcated contra limb is relatively simple thus simplifying the procedure. In addition, the parallel design mimics anatomical blood vessel bifurcations to limit flow disruptions.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assembly including a single branch stent device and a modular stent device configured to be coupled to the single branch stent device. The single branch stent device includes a main body and a branch coupling extending radially from the main body. The modular stent device includes a main body configured to be coupled inside of the main body of the single branch stent device, a bypass gate extending distally from a distal end of the main body of the modular stent device, and an artery leg extending distally from the distal end of the main body of the modular stent device.

Abstract: A sensitive and selective, in-line method to measure and validate the sulfur content at ppb levels in both the liquid and gas phase of an analyte. The method includes patterning graphene, for example to form a mesa structure comprising horizontal or vertical lines or an array of multidentate star features; functionalizing the patterned graphene and attaching nanoparticles to the functionalized graphene to form a device; exposing the device to an analyte in the gas or liquid phase; detecting a change in electrical response when sulfur is present in the analyte; and recovering the device for future use. Also disclosed is the related sulfur detector.

Abstract: A method for determining a pressure gradient between proximal and distal locations within a vasculature of a patient. The method includes deploying an ancillary device within the vasculature. The ancillary device integrates a proximal sensor at the proximal location and a distal sensor at the distal location. The method further includes deploying, via a stent graft delivery system, a stent graft within the vasculature to obtain a deployed stent graft. The ancillary device is independent from the stent graft delivery system and the stent graft. The method further includes outputting proximal pressure data from the proximal sensor and indicative of pressure at the proximal location and distal pressure data from the distal sensor and indicative of pressure at the distal location. The method also includes determining the pressure gradient using the proximal and distal pressure data.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly configured for endovascular placement within an aortic arch and method of use thereof. The prosthetic assembly includes a proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a proximal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the brachiocephalic artery, a distal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a distal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the left subclavian artery, a first branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within the brachiocephalic artery and a second branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned in one of the left common carotid and the left subclavian artery. When deployed, a proximal end of the first branch stent-graft prosthesis is disposed within a lumen of the proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis to proximally displace the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery.

Abstract: A method for deploying a stent device having a main body, a proximal coupling, and a distal coupling. The method includes extending a first guidewire in an aorta, extending a second guidewire in a brachiocephalic artery, and extending a third guidewire in an aortic branch vessel. The method further includes tracking the stent device along the first, second, and third guidewires. During the tracking step, the first guidewire extends through the main body, the second guidewire extends through the proximal coupling, and the third guidewire extends through the distal coupling. The method also includes deploying the main body within the aorta with the proximal coupling aligning with the brachiocephalic artery and the distal coupling aligning with the aortic branch vessel.

Abstract: A method of providing support in an aortic region. The method includes wrapping a landing band around an outside of a portion of an aortic vessel in a vicinity of a sinotubular junction (STJ) to form a wrapped portion of the aortic vessel. The method further includes securing the landing band to form a secured landing band. The method also includes endovascularly delivering a stent graft in a radially constricted configuration into the aortic vessel. The method also includes deploying the stent graft to a radially expanded configuration such that the stent graft contacts the wrapped portion of the aortic vessel. The method also includes connecting the stent graft in the radially expanded configuration to the secured landing band.

Abstract: A venous valve prosthesis includes a frame and a prosthetic valve coupled to the frame. With the venous valve prosthesis implanted in a vein, the prosthetic valve includes a closed configuration wherein an outer surface of the prosthetic valve is in contact with a wall of the vein around a circumference of the prosthetic valve to prevent blood from flowing past the prosthetic valve between the wall of the vein and the outer surface of the prosthetic valve. The prosthetic valve is configured to move to an open configuration such that at least a portion of an outer wall of the prosthetic valve partially collapses away from the wall of the vein in response to antegrade blood flow through the vein to enable blood flow between the outer surface of the prosthetic valve and the wall of the vein.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assembly including a single multibranch stent device. The single multibranch stent device includes a main body, a proximal coupling extending radially from the main body, and a distal coupling extending radially from the main body. The main body, the proximal coupling, and the distal coupling are permanently coupled to one another and the single multibranch stent device is a single piece. By forming the single multibranch stent device as a single piece, the single multibranch stent device can be deployed in a single deployment thus simplifying the deployment procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for building a landing zone for an endovascular procedure are described. This procedure is “hybrid” in that it involves both direct access (e.g., sternotomy or partial sternotomy) to the site for installation of the landing zone, as well as endovascular installation of a TAVR or TEVAR device (e.g., stent graft) once the landing zone is installed. The landing zone is installed by wrapping a landing band around a portion of a vessel. The landing band may be selected to be fixed at a diameter so that it inhibits any expansion of the vessel, and also supports a later-installed TAVR or TEVAR device. The TAVR or TEVAR device is then endovascularly delivered to the vessel and deployed therein. The device expands until it contacts the vessel, which is supported from the outside by the landing band, which thus constrains and supports the device from outside.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly configured for endovascular placement within an aortic arch and method of use thereof. The prosthetic assembly includes a proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a proximal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the brachiocephalic artery, a distal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a distal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the left subclavian artery, a first branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within the brachiocephalic artery and a second branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned in one of the left common carotid and the left subclavian artery. When deployed, a proximal end of the first branch stent-graft prosthesis is disposed within a lumen of the proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis to proximally displace the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a method including navigating an adhesive catheter to a proximal end of a false lumen of a dissection. The false lumen is defined by a septum and a vessel wall. The method further includes delivering an adhesive from the adhesive catheter to the proximal end of the false lumen. The adhesive is compressed between the septum and the vessel wall to close the false lumen.