Abstract: A multi-part medical implant device assembly for use in the surgical creation of an arteriovenous fistula is described herein, the implant device having an arterial section with an arterial lumen provided therein, a venous section with a venous lumen provided therein, and a connector section with a connecting lumen provided, the connector section serving to provide a fluid pathway from the arterial section to the venous section. The device may be formed of a top and a bottom portion, where the two-part assembly may facilitate surgical implantation.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to catheters including an auger insert and to methods of using such devices. In certain embodiments, the auger includes an auger blade that is movable between a first position totally within the catheter lumen and a second position extending out of the distal end of the catheter.

Abstract: A method of treating a thrombus is provided wherein a device is advanced to the vicinity of the thrombus, a thrombolytic agent is applied to the thrombus, and an expandable basket of the device is expanded to capture at least a portion of the thrombus within the expandable basket. The device includes a catheter having a distal portion, a lumen and a plurality of openings on the outer surface of the catheter, through which the thrombolytic agent is supplied. The device further includes a sheath and may include a collar which assists in expanding the expandable basket as the sheath is moved relative to the catheter.

Abstract: A method of treating an intravascular site in a patient includes spraying jets of treatment fluid out of spray orifices formed in an elongate catheter body, and changing an impingement pattern of the treatment fluid on material within the intravascular site in response to a torque induced by a back pressure of the jets. A thrombolysis catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a plurality of spray orifices formed in a body wall, and communicating with a fluid lumen longitudinally extending in the elongate catheter body. The plurality of spray orifices define a torque inducing spray jet pattern, whereby a back pressure of spray jets exiting the spray orifices induces a torque on the elongate catheter body.

Abstract: An infusion mechanism for treating an intraluminal site in a patient includes an infusion catheter having an elongate body with a proximal body end defining at least one fluid supply orifice, and a distal body end. The elongate body defines a high head loss lumen in fluid communication with a first set of side ports defining a proximal infusion zone. The elongate body further defines a low head loss lumen in fluid communication with a second set of side ports defining a distal infusion zone.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis and systems and methods for making the prosthesis are provided. In one example, a patterned graft material for a prosthesis includes a network of electrospun fibers. The network of electrospun fibers may include a plurality of continuous electrospun fibers. The fibers may be collected on a collector plate using an electrospinning process to form the network of fibers. The patterned graft material also may include a plurality of openings in the network of electrospun fibers. The plurality of openings may be arranged in a pattern. The network of electrospun fibers may include a plurality of edges, each surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of edges may include at least one electrospun fiber of the network of electrospun fibers. A majority of the electrospun fibers of the plurality of edges may be continuous at the edges.

Abstract: A method of making a stent-graft is provided. The method includes mounting a stent on a mandrel so that the stent is stretched when it is on the mandrel. A graft layer is then adhered to the stent while it is mounted on the mandrel. When the stent-graft is removed from the mandrel, the stent contracts and the graft layer becomes partially wrinkled when the stent is in its expanded relaxed state.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for directly treating a treatment site. The device allows body fluids to perfuse past the device while it is expanded to increase the amount of treatment time that is possible. The drug is delivered through a hollow helical tube that extends around a support structure. The hollow tube includes a series of lateral holes to allow the drug to directly reach the desired treatment site.

Abstract: One aspect provides implantable medical devices including a bioabsorbable structure having a surface and having a coating layer on at least a portion of the surface. In certain embodiments, the coating layer includes a releasable bioactive and provides for a controlled absorption of the bioabsorbable structure upon implantation in a human or veterinary patient. Another aspect provides methods treating a disease including implanting such a device in a vessel of a human or veterinary patient.

Abstract: A method of making a stent-graft is provided. The method includes mounting a stent on a mandrel so that the stent is stretched when it is on the mandrel. A graft layer is then adhered to the stent while it is mounted on the mandrel. When the stent-graft is removed from the mandrel, the stent contracts and the graft layer becomes partially wrinkled when the stent is in its expanded relaxed state.

Abstract: A stent is provided with braided filaments. First and second filaments are braided with each other and extend spirally around the stent wall in opposite directions. One or more third filaments are braided with the first filaments and extends spirally around the stent wall only in the direction of the second filaments. The third filament is stiffer than the first and second filaments, and there are fewer third filaments than the first and second filaments.

Abstract: A balloon catheter assembly including a catheter, a sleeve, and a balloon. The catheter has a body, an exterior surface, a lumen, a port providing fluid communication between the lumen and the exterior surface, and a coupling mechanism to couple the lumen to an inflation source. The sleeve has an interior surface facing the exterior surface, the sleeve being coaxial with the catheter and configured to move longitudinally about the catheter. The balloon is disposed about the catheter and has a middle segment covering the port, a distal segment coupled to the sleeve, and a proximal segment coupled to the catheter. The middle segment has a middle longitudinal stiffness, the distal segment has a distal longitudinal stiffness, and the proximal segment has a proximal longitudinal stiffness. The middle longitudinal stiffness is greater than the proximal longitudinal stiffness and the middle longitudinal stiffness is greater than the distal longitudinal stiffness.

Abstract: An expandable endoluminal prosthesis may include a graft body and a support structure attached to the graft body. The graft body may include a tubular body of nonwoven electrospun fibers disposed about a longitudinal axis. A first fiber matrix segment may be attached to and extend in a transverse direction along the tubular body. A second fiber matrix segment may be attached to and extend in a longitudinal direction along the tubular body.

Abstract: One aspect provides implantable medical devices including a bioabsorbable structure having a surface and having a coating layer on at least a portion of the surface. In certain embodiments, the coating layer includes a releasable bioactive and provides for a controlled absorption of the bioabsorbable structure upon implantation in a human or veterinary patient. Another aspect provides methods treating a disease including implanting such a device in a vessel of a human or veterinary patient.

Abstract: A spray system and method of using such spray system to fabricate a polymer membrane structure for use as a vascular graft or tissue engineered scaffold is provided. Generally, this spray system includes the use of at least two spray apparatus to apply different polymer and solvent mixtures to the outer surface of a mandrel to form a blended layer. Upon curing of the blended layer, phase separation occurs leading to the formation of a polymer membrane structure having variable properties along at least a portion of its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A perfusion device and a delivery system for repair of a damaged portion of a body vessel. Perfusion device can include a tubular body that is self-expandable, having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion. One or more series of barbs can be disposed circumferentially along the intermediate portion. Barbs are capable of penetrating into the tunica intima and tunica media of said vessel wall upon insertion of said device into said body vessel, and not into said tunica adventitia. A graft can be associated with the tubular body. Graft has a proximal end and a distal end, and preferably extends entirely along a luminal wall of the tubular body. Graft may also extend along an exterior surface of the tubular body at the proximal and distal portions. A remodelable covering can be applied along the intermediate portion. Delivery devices for the perfusion implant and methods of delivering the perfusion implant are also provided.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis and systems and methods for making the prosthesis are provided. In one example, a patterned graft material for a prosthesis includes a network of electrospun fibers. The network of electrospun fibers may include a plurality of continuous electrospun fibers. The fibers may be collected on a collector plate using an electrospinning process to form the network of fibers. The patterned graft material also may include a plurality of openings in the network of electrospun fibers. The plurality of openings may be arranged in a pattern. The network of electrospun fibers may include a plurality of edges, each surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of openings. Each of the plurality of edges may include at least one electrospun fiber of the network of electrospun fibers. A majority of the electrospun fibers of the plurality of edges may be continuous at the edges.

Abstract: A method of treating an intravascular site in a patient includes spraying jets of treatment fluid out of spray orifices formed in an elongate catheter body, and changing an impingement pattern of the treatment fluid on material within the intravascular site in response to a torque induced by a back pressure of the jets. A thrombolysis catheter includes an elongate catheter body having a plurality of spray orifices formed in a body wall, and communicating with a fluid lumen longitudinally extending in the elongate catheter body. The plurality of spray orifices define a torque inducing spray jet pattern, whereby a back pressure of spray jets exiting the spray orifices induces a torque on the elongate catheter body.

Abstract: A method of making a stent-graft is provided. The method includes mounting a stent on a mandrel so that the stent is stretched when it is on the mandrel. A graft layer is then adhered to the stent while it is mounted on the mandrel. When the stent-graft is removed from the mandrel, the stent contracts and the graft layer becomes partially wrinkled when the stent is in its expanded relaxed state.

Abstract: A spray system and method of using such spray system to fabricate a polymer membrane structure for use as a vascular graft or tissue engineered scaffold is provided. Generally, this spray system includes the use of at least two spray apparatus to apply different polymer and solvent mixtures to the outer surface of a mandrel to form a blended layer. Upon curing of the blended layer, phase separation occurs leading to the formation of a polymer membrane structure having variable properties along at least a portion of its longitudinal axis.