Abstract: A graft having a tubular body having a first end configured for attachment to a first vessel having a first compliance and second end configured for attachment to a second vessel having a second compliance different from the first compliance, and having a plurality of compressible chambers in the wall of the tubular body in which the chamber adjacent the first end of the tubular body is less compressible than the chamber adjacent the second end of the tubular body such that first end of the tubular body substantially matches the first compliance and the second end of the tubular body substantially matches the second compliance.

Abstract: An intravascular medical device is prepared for shipping by being sealed within a sterile volume of a package. Prior to closing the package, an intravenous liquid solution is pumped into and through the medical device to displace all air bubbles. The liquid is pumped at sterilization temperatures corresponding to when the liquid has a low viscosity, but the liquid is chosen to have a relatively high viscosity at room temperatures corresponding to when the package is opened for use. The liquid solution remains adsorbed to the interior surfaces of the medical device at room temperature against a force of gravity. The strategy reduces the risk of air embolism when a medical device is put into use.

Abstract: A graft for inducing helical blood flow, including a tubular body with fluid inflow and fluid outflow ends, and with inner and outer sidewalls. A lumen extends between the fluid inflow end and fluid outflow end. A compressible chamber is disposed between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. The compressible chamber has an incompressible seam that follows a substantially helical path around a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. When internal (e.g., blood) pressure increases on the inner sidewall, a vane element is formed that follows the substantially helical path around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The vane element may induce helical blood flow. The width of the compressible chamber may decrease in a compressed state (e.g., systole). The chamber may be filled with a predetermined amount of at least one of a gas, liquid, or vapor. The graft may have a second incompressible seam/vane.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A graft having a tubular body having a first end configured for attachment to a first vessel having a first compliance and second end configured for attachment to a second vessel having a second compliance different from the first compliance, and having a plurality of compressible chambers in the wall of the tubular body in which the chamber adjacent the first end of the tubular body is less compressible than the chamber adjacent the second end of the tubular body such that first end of the tubular body substantially matches the first compliance and the second end of the tubular body substantially matches the second compliance.

Abstract: A graft for inducing helical blood flow, including a tubular body with fluid inflow and fluid outflow ends, and with inner and outer sidewalls. A lumen extends between the fluid inflow end and fluid outflow end. A compressible chamber is disposed between the outer sidewall and the inner sidewall. The compressible chamber has an incompressible seam that follows a substantially helical path around a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. When internal (e.g., blood) pressure increases on the inner sidewall, a vane element is formed that follows the substantially helical path around the longitudinal axis of the tubular body. The vane element may induce helical blood flow. The width of the compressible chamber may decrease in a compressed state (e.g., systole). The chamber may be filled with a predetermined amount of at least one of a gas, liquid, or vapor. The graft may have a second incompressible seam/vane.

Abstract: A vascular pulsation device may be provided including a pulsation portion and a reservoir portion. The pulsation portion may be insertable into a bodily passageway and may include an expandable segment, a first end, and a second end. The reservoir portion may be in fluid connection with the pulsation portion by a supply passage and a return passage. An opening of the supply passage may be positioned proximate to the second end of the pulsation portion. An opening of the return passage may be positioned proximate to the first end of the pulsation portion.

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: An intravascular medical device is prepared for shipping by being sealed within a sterile volume of a package. Prior to closing the package, an intravenous liquid solution is pumped into and through the medical device to displace all air bubbles. The liquid is pumped at sterilization temperatures corresponding to when the liquid has a low viscosity, but the liquid is chosen to have a relatively high viscosity at room temperatures corresponding to when the package is opened for use. The liquid solution remains adsorbed to the interior surfaces of the medical device at room temperature against a force of gravity. The strategy reduces the risk of air embolism when a medical device is put into use.

Abstract: Biopsy devices and methods are provided for collecting a sufficiently-sized tissue sample from a region at a known distance by boring into the sample region using simultaneous axial and rotational movement and providing a reduced risk of: over-passing or under-passing the sample sought, injury and trauma to the surrounding tissue area, having to stick the patient more than once, sample contamination, and the user's exposure to sharps.

Abstract: An aortic stent-graft may include a tubular graft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the graft comprising a proximal sealing portion and an intermediate portion, wherein a proximal end of the intermediate portion abuts the distal end of the proximal sealing portion. At least one sealing stent may be attached to the proximal sealing portion. A first fenestration window is disposed in the intermediate portion. The first fenestration window has a length determined by the equation L=1.23*D?24 millimeters, where L is the length of the first fenestration window. D is between about 24 millimeters and 45 millimeters.

Abstract: An endovascular assembly for improving vessel compliance by reducing the blood pressure needed to eject a given volume of blood. The assembly comprises a first expandable container, a balloon for example, positioned in the vascular system. The first container has a variable volume in response to blood flow in the vessel, and is fixed to at least one expandable attachment member. When the attachment member is expanded inside of the vasculature, the attachment member is preferably fixed inside the vessel. The assembly further comprises a second container, preferably having a fixed volume that forms a closed fluid system when fluidly connected to the first container. The connection between the first and second container permits a change in volume in the first container to flow fluid into the second container. The second container can be placed in a different location inside of the patient, preferably outside of the vessel.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating deployment of a an implantable medical device includes a control member (20) having at least one tine member (35-37). A proximal region (35b-37b) of at least one of the tine members (35-37) is configured to engage an associated portion of a stent (60). In use, the control member (20) comprises a contracted delivery configuration in which the proximal region of the at least one of the tine member (35-37) is radially contracted, to radially constrain the associated portion of the stent (60). The control member (20) also comprises an expanded configuration in which the proximal region of the at least one of the tine member (35-37) expands radially outward relative to the central longitudinal axis to allow the stent to engage a body passage.

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 attaching an intravascular device to a vessel wall of a body vessel is disclosed. The attachment system includes an intravascular device and biological attachment material connected to the intravascular device. The biological attachment material is configured to attach the intravascular device to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A delivery and deployment device comprises a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen disposed therebetween; a dilator having a distal end slidingly disposed within the sheath lumen; a valve assembly comprising a valve housing affixed to the sheath and a valve disposed within the housing between the sheath and the dilator; and a valve lubrication mechanism disposed between the valve and the dilator.

Abstract: A needle disclosed herein may include an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end with a central longitudinal axis defined by the body, where the distal end includes a single sharp point along the central longitudinal axis and defining a distal end terminus three longitudinal fluted surfaces converging at the distal end terminus; and three longitudinal beveled cutting edges defining borders between the fluted surfaces and converging at the distal end terminus. Needle embodiments may include one or more ports open into and/or proximal of the fluted surfaces and communicating with one or more longitudinal needle lumens.

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.