Abstract: A stent graft (1) has at least one fenestration (13) or low profile side arm (34). A guide assembly (17) surrounds the fenestration or low profile side arm. The guide assembly has a continuous wall extending laterally away from the outer surface of the stent graft. The continuous wall is substantially elliptical or circular and extends distally of the fenestration at a distal end of the wall and being coincident with a proximal part (25) of the periphery of the fenestration or low profile side arm at a proximal end of the wall (23). The wall acts to define a guide area to guide a flexible probe extended from a side branch vessel to enter the fenestration or low profile side arm. Where there are two fenestrations or low profile side arms there can be a single continuous wall (50) around both or separate walls for each. The wall may have a peripheral wire reinforcement (19).

Abstract: A vascular band (1) comprises a biocompatible flexible material (2) and a plurality of radiopaque bars (4) extending transversely across the width of the material and spaced apart along the length of the biocompatible material. The bars provide some rigidity to the flexible material in the width direction thereby preventing buckling of the band in use and the radiopaque nature of the bars enable visualisation of a landing zone for a stent graft during deployment thereof. The bars can be crimped or woven, into the material. The band can be stitched, stapled, or hooked around a vessel.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer (1) which includes a handle arrangement which by telescopic movement of a slide or slide portions (104, 106) into a handle portion (100) causes controlled sequential deployment of a stent graft (14). Stops (218,217, 218, 219) ensure actions are carried out in a selected order. A sheath (116) of the introducer is fixed to a slide portion such that with retraction of the slide portion the sheath is withdrawn from a stent graft retained on the introducer and at a selected position trigger wires retaining the stent graft onto the introducer are also released. Interconnections between the slides and the handle are provided to prevent relative rotation and re-extension after full retraction.

Abstract: A method of sizing of a stent graft (20) including placement of fenestrations (30, 32) to ensure access to side branch vessels (13, 15) through the fenestrations when the stent graft is introduced into a body vessel and an assembly method for a stent graft including temporary diameter reduction arrangements to enable partial release of a stent graft to assist with positioning of fenestrations with respect to side branch vessels. The method includes spacing the fenestrations to be the same circumferential distance as the side branch vessels irrespective of the diameter of the stent graft.

Abstract: A vascular band (1) comprises a biocompatible flexible material (2) and a plurality of radiopaque bars (4) extending transversely across the width of the material and spaced apart along the length of the biocompatible material. The bars provide some rigidity to the flexible material in the width direction thereby preventing buckling of the band in use and the radiopaque nature of the bars enable visualization of a landing zone for a stent graft during deployment thereof. The bars can be crimped or woven into the material. The band can be stitched, stapled, or hooked around a vessel.

Abstract: A chimney damper for round flues that includes a rigid peripheral frame surrounding an open window area, a cap moveable toward and away from the open window to selectively close and open the same and springs interconnecting the cap and frame resiliently urging the cap to an open position. The square, rectangular, or round frame includes a shirt adapted to form or connect to a cylindrical base which comprises a round open window and thus can be configured for use on a round flue. The springs are preferably torsion springs and are located within the cap assembly and the open window area defined by the peripheral frame. The cap is guided during its movement toward and away from the frame by the springs and during such movement the cap rotates a partial turn relative to the frame to which it is connected by the springs.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device (1) comprises first and second separately manipulable introducers (3, 5) with a laparoscopic conduit (80) having first and second ends (83, 84) and an intermediate portion being mounted onto the introducers in a substantially U shape. The first end and a first portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained onto the first introducer and the second end and a second portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained on the second introducer and the intermediate portion extends between the first and second introducers. A main sheath (42) is over the first and second introducers. The endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device is introduced to a body cavity through an endoscopic or laparoscopic port (50).

Abstract: A stent graft introducer for intraluminal deployment of a stent graft (26), the introducer comprising a stent graft release mechanism (6) to allow partial release of the stent graft (26) when carried on the introducer, whereby control of the stent graft can be maintained while allowing access into the lumen of the stent graft from at least one end of the stent graft. The partial release can comprise partial release of one end of the stent graft.

Abstract: A stent graft (2) for placement in the thoracic arch of a patient has a first tubular body portion (6) with a first lumen therein for placement in the ascending aorta of a patient and a second tubular body portion (8) to extend along the thoracic arch and down the descending aorta. The second tubular body portion is of a lesser diameter than the first tubular body portion. There is a step portion (10) between the first body portion and the second body portion. The step portion is joined to and continuous with the first portion and the second portion. A first side of each of the first body portion, the step portion and the second body portion are substantially aligned so that there is a step (18) defined on a second side opposite to the first side of the body portion. There is an aperture (30) in the step portion and an internal tube (32) extending from the aperture towards the first body portion.

Abstract: An endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device (1) includes first and second separately manipulable introducers (3, 5) with a laparoscopic conduit (80) having first and second ends (83, 84) and an intermediate portion being mounted onto the introducers in a substantially U shape. The first end and a first portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained onto the first introducer and the second end and a second portion of the laparoscopic conduit is retained on the second introducer and the intermediate portion extends between the first and second introducers. A main sheath (42) is over the first and second introducers. The endoscopic or laparoscopic conduit delivery device is introduced to a body cavity through an endoscopic or laparoscopic port (50).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical wedge connector wedge. The electrical wedge connector wedge includes a first end, a second end, a first conductor groove, and an opening. The second end is opposite the first end. The wedge includes a generally tapered shape from the second end to the first end. The first conductor groove extends between the first end and the second end. The opening extends into the second end. The opening is adapted to receive at least a portion of an explosive charge for driving the wedge into an electrical wedge connector shell.

Abstract: A stent graft introducer has a nose cone dilator (8) and a distally opening capsule (18) on the nose cone dilator, a balloon guide (2, 30) extending into the capsule and affixed therein. Upon completion of deployment of a stent graft, a balloon catheter (96) including an inflatable balloon (98) thereon can be advanced over the balloon guide at least partially into the nose cone whereby the balloon can be inflated therein to provide a smooth transition from the nose cone to a delivery sheath (10) for retraction of the nose cone dilator through the deployed stent graft. The balloon guide can be a separate wire (30).

Abstract: A connector installation apparatus including a frame, a ram and a gas spring. The frame includes an anvil section. The anvil section is adapted to have a first connector part located at the anvil section. The ram is movably connected to the frame. The ram includes a front section adapted to have a second connector part located at the front section. The gas spring includes a piston head on a rear end of the ram, and a portion of the frame forming two variable chambers with the piston head.

Abstract: A multi-port stent graft delivery device (2) has an annular access lumen (26) between a delivery catheter (24) and a main sheath (6), at least one indwelling access sheath (28, 30) within the access lumen, and an indwelling guide wire (36, 38) within the or each access sheath and a stent graft (16) retained in the delivery device. Upon deployment of the stent graft into the vasculature of a patient the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate stabilization of the access sheath during cathertization of a side branch and deployment of a side arm covered or uncovered stent therein through the advanced access sheath. A manifold associated (4) with a handle provides a plurality of access ports (41, 43). A docking balloon may also be used.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for spacing, securing, and stabilizing I-joists at their ends, and insulating and structural enhancing I-joist assemblies, are provided around the perimeter, or in the interior, of a floor or ceiling where ends of I-joists are located. Insulated blocking panels may comprise an insulating portion that provides a high-R-value and a structural portion which may comprise vertical panel(s) and optional integral support blocks that provide a profiled end surface for extending to the web of the I-joists. Alternatively, insulated blocking panels with flat, vertical end surfaces may be used with field-installed support blocks, or insulated blocking panels with profiled end surfaces may be used without any support blocks. The support blocks or profiled end surfaces of the insulated blocking panels extend to the web of each I-joist, to fill in the space between the I-joists near the I-joist ends, including a substantial amount of the space immediately adjacent the web of each I-joist.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to database systems and, more particularly, to database systems with version controlled data. A version controlled database program resides on a computer readable medium, having a plurality of instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations include defining a version object software layer. The version object software layer may be configured to read and write data of a version controlled database to a physical storage medium, maintain one or more versions of at least one element of the data, and provide access to the data. The operations may also include defining a database management software layer. The database management software layer may be configured to read and write data to the version object software layer and provide a database access interface for accessing the data.

Abstract: A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer an can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.

Abstract: A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer and can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.

Abstract: A stent graft (1) including a tubular wall (3) with at least one fenestration (40) including a peripheral (37) reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension (15). The side arm includes a stent (19) and a cover (17) and extends from and is in fluid communication with the fenestration and the stent graft. The stent may be a self expanding stent. The ring and/or tubular extension provides better support and sealing for an extension arm. The fenestration (40) can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape (50) with an open end.